Obama Rally in Racine

On Monday I got a notice in my inbox that Obama was going to be in Racine on Wednesday night. The subject header said something like, “Join Barack at a rally in Racine.”

I opened the email and read the contents of it over and over to make sure Barack really was going to be at this rally. Once my keen powers of observation confirmed he was in fact going to be the special guest at this rally I signed up.

When I arrived in Racine I was frantically trying to find a parking spot because I had driven past the line a couple of times and it was growing with every second that I was looking for a parking spot. Instead of trying to find a good spot I drove a couple blocks away and found a parking garage with tons of spots. I parked and ran/speed-walked my way to the end of the line.

Everyone had to have these printed tickets that we received in our email inboxes once we signed up for the event. There were tons of Obama volunteers telling us that we were going to get in. One guy said, “If you have a ticket, you’ll get in. I can’t say the same for people arriving fifteen minutes from now.” He was right. Fifteen minutes after that the line had wrapped around the corner and started extending down the third side of the large building the rally was being held in. However, in the end, I think most people got in. 3,500 to be precise.

It was below freezing out there in line. Most people that got actual seats (including me) stood in line for over an hour. My toes were near frozen by the time I got in the building. The guy in front of me was trying to warm his feet by sticking them near the exhaust pipes of all the TV vans we were lined up next to. An elderly couple that had driven up from Illinois left the line after 45 minutes. They couldn’t take the cold. The doors were supposed to open much earlier than they did. Thus, many people were getting very frustrated with the long wait. We were told later on that the delay was caused by metal detector issues.

Security was tight. There were metal detectors at every entrance. I had to relinquish a coveted Swiss Army key chain dilly-bob. Coats had to be opened while in the building. There were cops everywhere. Obama even has some Secret Service agents assigned to him already. I really didn’t mind the security because I think the man should have it. However, I wish I knew what stinking TSA agent now has my Swiss Army key chain dilly-bob. I hope whoever it is that they lose it quickly. Punk.

I got a balcony seat, which wasn’t that bad. I was a little far away, but no more than 50 yards separated me and the podium that Barack would soon be standing at.

From the moment I got in line to the end of the evening people were very friendly. Everyone was so happy. People were smiling, laughing, engaged in thoughtful discussion and debate. I never felt that the excitement was just because Barack was near. Certainly, that played a role, but there was this excitement in the air that was so energetic. Excitement for the end of Bush’s presidency, for America’s future, for what we have a chance to do for this country, for involvement in the political process, and for alleviation and possibly an end to some of the problems that have been plaguing this country for a while. We were there for all those things and, of course, to see Barack, the only candidate out there that has a chance of carrying that kind of hope for such a diverse crowd.

Besides being friendly, the crowd seemed pretty informed about Barack’s policies and why they were voting for him. There were a few exceptions. A gentleman sitting across the aisle from me was having a discussion with a couple of people sitting near him. He was telling them that Hillary recently stated that she would love to be Barack’s running mate if it became clear she wasn’t going to win the nomination. I still haven’t found proof of this anywhere and I was a little skeptical of anything else that came out of this man’s mouth. He was a little too excited, at one point yelling, “We are watching history. They are going to remember our names because we were here today. This is something we are going to tell our kids and grandchildren about.” I know I witnessed something historical, even if Obama doesn’t go on to win the nomination, but I will not be remembered for being there, Obama will be. History remembers the leader. Sometimes the nameless crowd beside that leader is remembered, but often only in number.

People yelled when Obama volunteers started handing out signs. Everyone knew Obama was near. The Secret Service agents that came out to stand by the crowd really got everyone excited. The Governor of Wisconsin introduced Obama and the U2 music was queued for his grand entrance.

Obama shook hands and waved and eventually made it to the podium. He gave his classic stump speech, making several good points, but there wasn’t much there that I hadn’t already heard him say in speeches I’ve watched on his website, YouTube, or other outlets. It is a good speech though, filled with dramatic pauses, humor, and details. Yes, he did include details.

I enjoyed the 25 minutes after the speech, during which Obama took questions from the crowd. Even though there was no teleprompter for Obama’s speech, it was pretty much set in stone what he was going to say. The question and answer session made it less unscripted. I’m not going to elaborate about the questions or his answers, but I will say I was impressed with Obama’s answers because he answered the questions. All too often, politicians will disguise their response as an answer. Obama wasn’t doing this and that was good to see.

After the formalities ended I watched from the balcony as Obama greeted fans pressed up against the safety rope. Standing up there, trying to analyze the whole evening, I decided it felt like going to church in a way. The only other time I have been around that many people excited about something was at church, and even then, this isn’t the case every Sunday. The Obama movement is a religious movement. I had read that numerous times before Wednesday, but that night I believed it, saw it first hand. There is something he stirs up in Americans, something that McCain and Clinton certainly do not. It is more than a popularity contest with Obama. People actually want to change the country with him. Obviously, not every Obama supporter is going to become this vessel of change, hope, and volunteerism, but the desire to be that vessel is being nurtured by this campaign, and as I left that hall on Wednesday I thought of how an Obama presidency could unleash that desire. That made me feel patriotic, a feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time.

On Clinton's Whereabouts in Wisconsin

I haven't seen any news about her being in the state of Wisconsin and I was wondering if she would be coming to Milwaukee before the primary on February 19th which she is clearly concerned about.

I just finished up reading this article at the Journal-Sentinel website and got my answer in the last sentence.

"Former President Clinton will visit Milwaukee, Waukesha, Madison and La Crosse today to campaign for his wife."

Boring.

I think I'll hit up the next Obama rally in Milwaukee tomorrow.

Hillary's Wisconsin Ad

I don't think this ad works when tomorrow Obama will be holding his third rally in the state since Tuesday night and taking questions from the audience.

Seeing Obama

Bragging about going to a political rally? Yes, I am. It was a spur of the moment thing. I had to switch my shift at the Bucks today. I had to speed to get there. I stood in a really long line, but I didn't get denied a seat and a good view to hear and see Barack Obama today.

Awesome. The love, energy, and friendliness of everyone around me was unforgettable. More later.

Kristol on The Daily Show

It's always good when Kristol is on the show because you know there are going to be fireworks.

Realizing California

I’ve written before on this blog about my childhood desire to move back to Southern California and how that desire drastically diminished with, I would say, a dash of maturity and a whole lot of Colorado.

I return to that theme today.

Eleven days ago, as Kate and I were landing in San Diego, we were admiring the beauty of the city from above.

We were walking toward the baggage claim when I heard this out of Kate’s mouth.

“Let’s move here. I wanna live here.”

“No you don’t.” I said.

“Yes, I do.”

I didn’t feel like saying, “No, you don’t” again. I knew after she got a good taste of Southern California she would change her mind. Of course, I didn’t point this out to her. I just kept my mouth shut regarding that and indulged in a dream with her. “I’ll only move here if we can buy a beach house. One right on the beach. Not a block away. Not with a view of the beach from a distance. A front row beach house.”

“Okay.” She said with a perky twist to it that just slightly undermined the difficulty of being able to purchase/afford such a house.

Less than 48 hours later, after Kate saw the expanse that Southern California suburbia is, after driving great distances on six-lane roads over sweeping hills to just go to the super market, after hearing about traffic on the five (I-5), after learning more about the cost of living in Southern California, after observing the lifestyle of Californians that pushes the limits of sustainability, after realizing all those things make living by the Pacific and not having to experience a winter not look so good anymore, she said, “I don’t want to live here.”

I told her. “I know.”

A pill-counter she is not

Here is a snippet of a conversation Kate had while we were in California a week ago.

Person: So what do you do, Kate?

Kate: I’m a pharmacist.

Person: Oh. A pill counter.

Kate: Well, actually not.

The conversation continues. Kate explains that pharmacists don’t count pills. The person, obviously a little surprised, listens.

This happens a lot. I’m sick of it, and I’m not even the pharmacist. There really is a swath of people out there that think pharmacists are the ones that count out the pills and fill each and every bottle of prescriptions at the local pharmacy. A lot of people don't even realize there are pharmacists employed at hospitals.

Here’s a little education. Think of it as a little tutorial from the inside of the drug world and my head.

Often the people that count pills at pharmacies are pharmacy technicians. These are people like you and I that could walk into a local pharmacy and apply. We don’t need a degree. We don’t need a background in the medical field. With proper training we could be back there counting some pills, by fives of course (this speeds up the process while maintaining accuracy) in a matter of months, maybe weeks. Sometimes it is the pharmacist counting the pills, but this is not the pharmacist’s primary responsibility at work.

Kate works in a decentralized hospital pharmacy. She actually meets with patients and consults them. She has to talk with doctors and even sometimes let them know that they have prescribed an incorrect dosage. This year she is working 60+ hours a week. Her work is hard and draining. Not to mention, when you are consulting doctors and patients on which drugs to use there is absolutely no room for error.

She didn’t go to school for six years to count pills and, one more thing, Dr. Perica, is not a typo.

Obamania

Andrew Sullivan gets a lot of emails. He regularly posts them on his blog. I post this one in its entirety right here because it is stellar.

Yesterday I participated in the Democratic caucuses in central Maine. I am nearly 50, and I've never seen anything like it. The turnout was amazing - four little towns in the same small community center, with over 200 people attending. In 2004 the total number might have been 40. But that's not the interesting part.

When our little town split off for our individual caucus, I realized much of what you have been saying about Obama being a game changer is true.

There were 30 of us, with about 10 for Hillary and 20 for Obama (27 when absentee ballots were counted). Four of the Obama voters spoke up - there were all independents who had switched their registrations to Democratic so that they could participate. And this on a snowy day. In 2004, we had only 8 people caucus in our town, so in a typical year, that would have been half of the draw.

The most poignant words came from one of the independents, a clean-cut career military guy in his 40s who said he had always voted a straight Republican ticket, and was devastated at what has happened to the military in the last seven years. He said early in his career his was treated like royalty overseas; just last year he was spit on twice.

The most heated moment came late in the process, when an elderly gentleman for Hillary said, "I want everyone here to make a pledge, and I'm talking to all you Obama supporters. I want you to pledge that you will be loyal Democrats, and vote for Hillary if she gets the nomination." The 4 (former) independents all said flat-out if it was Clinton vs. McCain, they would be voting for McCain. One Obama supporter said, "I'm an American first, not a Democrat, and I will make no such pledge." The rest of us Obama supporters were quiet because we didn't want to offend our neighbors, but I did a quick poll of 4 around me as we were leaving, and their position is the same as mine - we are not voting for Hillary for president under any circumstances.

I have voted for the Democratic candidate in every election since I was eligible to vote first in 1980, and sometimes I had to hold my nose. But no more - I simply won't vote for someone I know will be a poor president, and bring so much baggage to boot. My key issues are education and health care - Hillary started the debacle of more and more testing and federal intervention in schools, bringing the dubious Arkansas programs she championed with her when Bill was elected. She set health care reform back a generation. We all have our reasons for opposing her, and there are plenty of them. I think many people who have claimed blind loyalty to the Republican or Democratic parties have seen what acting like sheep has gotten us, and we're done with it. If it's Clinton and McCain, we'll still be voting for the other offices on the ballot, but the presidential one will remain blank.

Many of us Obama supporters are a strong anti-Hillary vote, more than a pro-Obama vote like you. And that's why it's such a pleasant surprise as we get to know him, see what he is building, and start to believe.

I think the Clinton supporters had to be struck as everyone was by the numbers, and the new people. The kid elected chair of our caucus was 20, figuring out the delegate split with the calculator on his cell phone. The average age of our caucus attendees is usually 50+ - we've never had college-age kids show up in the time I've been involved.

Just imagine this same scene played out in thousands of little towns across the country, as independents, life-long Republicans, and kids show up to Democratic caucuses. Game changer indeed.

*Bold highlights by me.

Amy Winehouse

It didn't take long to find a comparison picture. On the left, we have Winehouse in her current condition, a walking anti-drug poster. On the right, we have Winehouse circa the release of her Frank album, possibly.

Don't do drugs, kids.

Grammy Randomness

I’ll never make sense of the mainstream music industry.

Yes, I am watching the Grammys, live-blogging them I guess. How lame.

What did Rihanna just do on stage? I am clueless. Who was dancing and singing with her? They probably are Grammy winners. Some would say I should know them, but I don’t. Frankly, they suck.

I will never work in the music industry. I’ve never wanted too, but still, I’m watching this and trying to understand it and the whole thing feels like an inside joke, not as big as an inside joke as the MTV VMAs seemed to be, but still often confusing and over the top.

Right now, there is a woman in a red dress having a Grand mal seizure while she is being suspended with ropes above the stage. Apparently, this is a tribute to the Beatles. I feel like I get the Beatles, but I don’t get this tribute to them. Who thinks of this crap? Most of the people in the audience have to be wondering the same thing. Maybe not. I suppose a lot of them are trying to find the beauty and the art in it because it must be there, after all, it is the Grammys. Finally, a voice in this tribute. I don’t know who this boy is (he does look like he is 15) but I’ve enjoyed listening to him more than most of the performers so far tonight.

I know Miley Cyrus is the daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus. I learned this just the other night, but what does she do? I saw her name on the bestsellers list on iTunes today. She must sing. News to me. Update: Miley Cyrus is Hannah Montana. Also news to me. I just learned this on Wikipedia.

It’s really too bad Amy Winehouse won an award. I shouldn’t care, but from what I’ve seen and heard of her, a Grammy is the last thing she needs. I saw some pictures of her in USA Today a couple of weeks ago. What I’m about to tell you may shock you all, but Winehouse used to be good looking. She looks legit in these pictures. I will post pictures of her later. I have to.

I’m 40 minutes into this and I have only seen one artist on stage that I like, Alicia Keys. There might be some other good artists on soon. I think Foo Fighters is going to perform. I like them. I wish Foo Fighters stopped yelling in there songs so much. I enjoy their singing more.

Wisconsin’s primary is February 19. I think Barack Obama’s commercials made their local debut today. This isn’t related to the Grammys, only that I just saw a commercial of his on CBS, the network hosting the Grammys.

Whoa. Kanye West’s crazy sunglasses are battery powered and his deejays look like they are straight out of Tron.

Ah. John Legend. I like John Legend. He seems to be an odd partner for Fergie in this performance. Can you picture Legend breaking out into a rendition of “My Humps”?

Ringo is short.

Now I’ve destroyed untold number of brain cells by watching the Grammys for 58 minutes. My patience for these shenanigans dies hard. There is something better to do.

Brooklyn Video

Here's a short video of Kate holding Brooklyn and trying to get her to smile or do her little laugh. We were fairly successful. Enjoy.

Facebook Birthdays

Crappy.

According to Facebook my popularity has sharply declined over the years.

I joined Facebook in time for my 23rd birthday in 2006. I got 22 wall posts on that birthday from new friends and old friends. From old crushes in college to crushes long before that time. From friends I hadn't spoken to in months and maybe even years to friends that I talked to everyday. From teammates to roommates to my girlfriend. I'm sure there were some Facebook messages in there too. I'm telling you I was popular. I was someone people wanted to stay in touch with. I was an established veteran of a school, of a team, and of an online pseudo-friend community, Facebook.

In 2007 the number of Facebook happy birthday wall posts more than halved to 9 posts.

And in 2008 the number of Facebook happy birthday wall posts dropped to a measly 5.

I'm a little worried. At this rate I'll have only two or three friends next year that will say happy birthday to me the easy way, on Facebook.

The year after that I could have one...maybe. This is not good. Not good at all.

It is telling though. All my "Facebook friends", aka fake, electronicky friends, are slowly dying off because Facebook can't keep people together like real face-to-face, personal interaction can. Time is quickly stripping the electronic connection and friendship down to bare bone. That bone isn't very strong. It's crumbling. Such is the life of the Facebook friendship.

"A Perfect Ending, for the Giants"

This is irrelevant and late by now, but I couldn’t resist.

That was the greatest Super Bowl in recent memory, minus the first three quarters…BORING. Yes, the Giants did beat the Packers a couple weeks ago. All is forgiven. I had a hunch they were the much better team to send on to the Super Bowl if I wanted to see the Patriots lose. I did and so did 97% of America.

Unfortunately, for the Patriots, some of their most hated qualities were or were not on display on Sunday night.

Most hated quality on display: Bill Belichick. He shook Tom Coughlin’s hand after the pseudo end of the game and marched right off into the locker room. What? You and your short-sleeved hoodie couldn’t hang out for one more second to formally congratulate your opponents at the end of the official game. As if there were any risk of you liking us at some point later in your career you sealed the deal Sunday night. Throw in that wonderful post-game interview and that thing earlier in the season, oh yeah, cheating, and you gave us a lot of fuel for the fire. It burns brightly. I bet you would say you don’t care though.

Most hated quality not on display: The Patriots ability to pull victories straight out of their ass every close game of the season. They still count for wins. Don’t get me wrong, but how did it feel to be the receiver? 18-1. I was happy to not be able to hate that about the Patriots on Sunday.

In the last minute of the game, after Manning’s escape and Tyree’s catch there was a feeling of inevitability swirling around the Giants’ magical drive. There wasn’t a Patriot fan in the house where I watched the game. That made the end even sweeter when Burress made the game-winning touchdown catch. He schooled the defender so well it looked like a shell drill from practice. No defense.

Appropriately, this goes out to the 1972 Miami Dolphins. They seem a little slimy, bitter about something, old, and leathered, but I had to chuckle Sunday night when I thought of them toasting to another end of another perfect season.

*Title for this blog stolen from The New York Times, Monday, February 4, 2008.

*My condolences go out to Jarrod.

Who Needs Writers?

Hilarious.

Morning After

Morning Folks.

I haven't checked any blogs yet to get a much more educated analysis of Super Tuesday. I'll get around to that. The TV isn't talking about politics right now either, just tornadoes and 45 people dead. Very sad.

I could have been in a very bad mood this morning. I am not. I am in a pretty good one because there is still a race for the Democratic nomination. A couple months ago there never was supposed to be one.

Now, Clinton edges Obama in delegates, but according to the media her lead is less than a hundred.

States she won:

Arizona
Arkansas
California
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New York
Oklahoma
Tennessee

Obviously, New York and California are huge wins, but the Clintons are so entrenched in those two states that Obama never really stood a chance. However, given the Clinton's popularity in California, Obama did impressively close that gap a little bit, so that has got to be encouraging to his camp. So, she got eight states.

Obama won:

Alabama
Alaska
Colorado (yeah, that's my homeland)
Connecticut
Delaware
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois (Clinton's real home state)
Kansas
Minnesota
Missouri (by 1 percentage point)
New Mexico (not confirmed, but he is leading by 1 percentage point)
North Dakota
Utah

That's 14 states. She may have pulled in more delegates, but Obama had a very impressive night. He wasn't really expected to win in some western states like Colorado and New Mexico, but he power-bombed Hillary in Colorado. That was beautiful, not just because Obama won Colorado, but also because I just used a wrestling metaphor.

I'm not totally sure about this, but it looks like Obama won the states where either name wasn't necessarily a household name. Where the plain was level he pulled ahead. That is my impression of last night. A longer battle over each state falls into Obama's favor. And he is still riding a wave after last night.

Like a Clinton strategist said recently. It is hard enough running against a viable candidate, but running against a movement is a whole different story.

Watching the results

For Obama, this night was always going to be a little ugly, but how ugly is it? It’s way too early to tell. We probably won’t be able to tell until tomorrow. For now…

Clinton has won Arkansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Obama has won some though. CNN has called Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois (surprise, surprise), and North Dakota for him.

What is up with Huckabee tonight? The man is on fire in West Virginia, Arkansas, and Georgia. If he weren’t in the race right now, who would his votes be going toward? It is tough to say, but it is definitely weird to have him in the race still when it is clear he is not going to be the nominee.

It looks like Obama could win Connecticut. CNN hasn’t called it yet, but I think that would be a big win for him because it is nudged in there with a bunch of states that already went, or will be going to Clinton.

Obama is definitely going to win Minnesota.

Angel Moroni, Romney just won Utah. This is the surprise of the night.

It looks like Kansas will go to Obama. I don’t know Kansas very well at all, but this news makes me proud because I know people there. They probably didn’t vote in Kansas, but still, there’s a little pride.

Huckabee is on the TV right now from Arkansas. He said “a lot of people have been trying to say this is a two man race”. Are you kidding me Huck? There is not a chance. He has got to be in the race now in hopes to be someone’s running mate or a cabinet member. Colbert will probably be calling him a Huck-a-was pretty soon. By the way, Huckabee needs braces. Campaign money, hello!

That’s it for now. I can’t yet blog and watch TV at the same time so I’m going back to the TV.

Oh, CNN just officially called Connecticut, Kansas, and Minnesota for Obama.

Thunder Snow?

I don't really know what thunder snow is, but that is apparently what we are going to get throughout the night and into tomorrow. The greater Milwaukee area is expected to get 12-20 inches of snow in the next 24 hours. I've heard about 14 inches where we are. We'll see though. It could be worse. It could be a lot less. It is definitely coming down right now though.

Right Now

Now I have to go to work for four hours. I'm so glad I have tonight off. I'll be glued to the TV and hopefully get another blog or two up.

The Defining Moment

Many moments from this weekend will never be forgotten. I don't have time to tell you about them all. However, I'll share with you this one.

After Megan and Brooklyn picked us up at the airport we started driving back to San Marcos. It was 3pm Pacific time. Kate and I had been up since 1:45am Pacific time so I suggested stopping for some caffeine at Starbucks. We did.

We got in. We ordered. While I was waiting for the drinks Kate picked Brooklyn up and held her for the first time. I came over with the drinks and watched.

After a bit I was ready to hold my niece for the first time. I took her in my arms. Cradled her. Loved on her. Tried to get her to smile. Her eyes enveloped me. She brought smiles. And when I looked up I noticed she brought tears, tears to my sister's eyes. I realized what a big moment this was. I was holding my sister's daughter for the first time. I didn't say anything. It was a huge moment for all of us and it was so beautiful because it was meaningful in different ways to each one of us.

No words were shared at all. The moment transcended description so I took a deep breath and looked at the women in front of me and the little girl in my lap and I was happy.

Quickly Now

Just got back.

A lot to write about...the visit...the Super Bowl...traveling...the birthday...people. Ah, so much.

A lot to think about.

Need to load some pictures up here.

Huge day tomorrow.

Our niece is picture perfect. She is beautiful.


And I still have hope that America will make it a race tomorrow.

Left Coast Trip

We go California tomorrow to meet Brooklyn.

We will watch the Super Bowl. I wish the Packers made it.

I turn 25 on Sunday.

We will be back Monday night.

Clinton Donation Story

Since I touched upon Clinton's foundation yesterday I had to link to this story.

It's long, hefty, and confusing at times, but worth the read.

To Bill, or not to Bill

I wasn’t paying attention to politics during Bill Clinton’s eight years. I’m happy I wasn’t because I was still very much a kid and well, happily more invested in kid-like things like getting a girlfriend, puberty, and such. However, toward the end of Clinton’s second term it was hard to ignore the general distaste many people had for him, and I am mainly referring here to Republicans. Essentially, I am too young to talk about the Clinton years from my own personal experience.

Growing up I heard some things—some confirmed, some unconfirmed—about his presidency and America during those eight years. Here they are:

1. The economy blossomed. Lots of people tell me this. That’s great, but it also strikes me as a time during which America would have seen enormous growth under any president.
2. According to Toni Morrison, he was the “first black president”.
3. His wife tried to push health care reform. That didn’t work.
4. He did, in fact, have sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. They did something naughty in the Oval Office.
5. He’s a slimy, untrustworthy man that will do anything and say anything to get what he wants, including falling back on his own word.

So, when I did start paying attention to politics I approached Bill Clinton with caution and curiosity because I had spent much of my life around Republican friends and family members that didn’t think too highly of the man. They had their reasons, but I didn’t quite have mine. So to me, he was just an ex-president that committed adultery and initially lied about it to the country.

I’ve spent the years since his departure from office looking for something to celebrate in Bill Clinton. I’ve also kept an eye out for that slimy, untrustworthy, red-faced, angry man I had heard so many people speak of.

I found the something to celebrate. Clinton’s work with President George Herbert Walker Bush has been admirable. I’ve enjoyed seeing the two old guys lead America’s response to disasters like the tsunami in 2004 and to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Together they have raised millions of dollars to aid those that are truly in need. In this way, Clinton is definitely using his powerful influence to help others. That is good. Period.

More reason to celebrate: the Clinton Global Initiative. CGI is a “non-partisan catalyst for action, bringing together a community of global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.” Those challenges: HIV/AIDs, disease, hunger, poverty, etc.

However, I also found the something not to celebrate: Bill Clinton campaigning for, and with, his wife for a return to power. As a former president who has won respect from many right-wingers, center-right politicians, and young voters, like me, for his work since leaving The White House, he sure has done quite a bit in the last month to unravel the good standing he might have had with me. If anything, he has shown me the Clinton’s that will say and do anything to catapult themselves into a position of authority and power. I see some truth now to the opinion of some that Hillary and Bill’s marriage has only been a power play since the cigar issue came up. No matter what the Clinton’s say, they have made race an issue in the last month and they have pulled Obama down with them. Obama receives almost just as much flack for addressing the race issue as the Clintons, even though he has had to address it merely to defend himself and try to heal that ugly period in the primary season. Bill Clinton has attacked Obama again and again on behalf of Billary, and hasn’t stopped at saying things like this:

"If [Barack Obama] wins this nomination, I’m going to do what I can to help him become president... After all the mean things they said about me, I can’t believe I’m saying this."

Bill Clinton has been a disgrace lately. From the whole Nevada lawsuit issue to giving Hillary’s South Carolina concession speech for her, it’s pathetic. I understand a spouse campaigning for his wife. That’s lovely. But I think it is clear that he is campaigning as much for himself as he is for her.

Conclusion: Bill, keep campaigning for Hillary, it’ll keep on hurting her campaign. Help her lose the nomination that is hers to win. Then, when it’s clear there will not be another dynasty back in The White House, go back to what you do best…raise money for the people that really need your help.

To Skate

I have to say I saw this on another blog first. But this video is awesome.

No Country For Old Men

We have been saving a lot of money around here by not going to that many movies. We like to pay for bigger and more expensive things like CAT scans, MRIs, X-Rays, an ER visit, and visits to the doctor. Speaking of doctors, I saw my tenth doctor today. That’s a different story, though.

No Country was the fourth movie we have seen in the theaters since arriving in Milwaukee. #1 Transformers. #2 The Bourne Ultimatum. #3 Ratatouille. All three of those were entertaining in their own right, but not one of them holds a candle to No Country For Old Men. Of course, not one of those movies tackles the material that the Cohn brother’s adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name, does. A comparison doesn’t work. No Country is, above all else, a story skillfully acted by Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, and Javier Bardem. That is to say, this movie is not a show, it wants you invested in the film and it pulls you in and has you sitting on the edge of your seat almost all the way through. The performances are so gritty and captivating that I can’t even remember if there was a soundtrack. Literally, when I recall the movie now I remember loads of scenes here and there, but I don’t remember music. There must have been a soundtrack, but the indelible impression is left by Bardem’s coldness, Brolin’s brash hope, and Jones’ resignation.

I don’t want to write more because I fear spoiling the movie. I want to recommend it and say that I went into it guessing it wasn’t going to be a typical movie, with manufactured elements, and an everybody-goes-home-happy ending. I can’t tell you if I was right or wrong. That would be a spoiler.

This isn’t a spoiler though. Here is a clip from the Goonies. Brand (Brolin) gets tied up by Mikey (Astin) and friends. What a great song, too. My favorite line from this clip is right after Mouth, played by Feldman, lets the air out of Brand’s bike: “Now it’s his most flattest thing in the world.”

Shut Your Face...A Goonies Sequel

So, I sat down to write a little bit about No Country For Old Men because Kate and I saw it last week. I thought it would be cool to include a Goonies clip of Josh Brolin who plays Llewelyn Moss in No Country. Brolin played Brand Walsh, the hulked-up tightwad brother of Mikey Walsh, played by Sean Astin. Goonies is where Brolin got his start, but I haven't seen him in anything since then. However, according to his IMDB.com profile, the man has been busy, appearing in The Valley of Elah and American Gangster in 2007. I missed both.

I'll probably still post a clip of him as Brand Walsh if I find it, but the first video I found was this video of Brolin doing an interview and confirming some rumors about a Goonies sequel. Amazing. I hope Chunk does the Truffle Shuffle again.

For My Middle East Connection

Love you, Guy.

The SC Victory

Another victory and another classy speech by Obama. He has had many reasons to defend himself in the past month, but he doesn't waste his time doing so here. He preaches a message of hope and unification. While I was watching this I was thinking of the last victory speech I watched, Clinton's in New Hampshire. Obama's speech is in stark contrast to hers. They are both thankful to the voters, but after a while Clinton just doesn't stop patting herself on the back. I can't shake the feeling that Clinton feels like America owes her The White House, like she is inheriting it or something. In his speeches, Obama is more like a great coach and motivator. He gets me really excited about politicians for a change, like I can go to battle with him. Weird, I know, but that's just how it is.

Ask You In Gray

A friend of mine, Trey Tatum, whom many of you have met once or twice over the years, sent me this link a while back to a Myspace page. He is in a band called Ask You In Gray. I think all the songs but one are recorded live so they don’t sound great at this point, but I like what I hear, especially because the music has so much of the person that I know, in it.

From now on the link can be found on the sidebar under “Friends”.

Go take a listen. I know they have free or very cheap shows across the Front Range. One tonight, actually, so check them out if you get a chance.

Donald Miller on CNN....the website

There is a brief story on Donald Miller at the CNN website. I don't know how long it has been there, but it is good to see.

Classic

Sullivan's got the goods.

MacGyver was born this day in 1950

Kate got a job offer to work beyond the end of her residency, in July, as a pharmacist.

We’re just halfway into our first year here. I think it was maybe too early to call it quits and give up on this place.

We have decided to stay a little longer and see what happens. I feel if we left in July I would be leaving behind untapped opportunity. So, there, I said it. I guess I still have some hope for the two of us and Milwaukee.

Colorado, or more importantly, what’s in Colorado and the west, will still be pulling my heart in that direction, come this time next year. Until then, our paths will cross, Kate and I will get to have more time together out here once she is done with her residency, and Wisconsin won’t be left untouched by us.

Aerial shot of Milwaukee provided by Bryce.

"Barack." "Who's that?"

I hear and read about a lot of shocking things in the newspapers, the blogosphere, and places in between. We all do. The immersion that I have been subjected to of horrific events and radical ideas has possibly numbed my reactions to those events and ideas. Admittedly, I have become skeptical, in an irrationally hopeful manner, that someone won’t possibly do something that stupid again, or that someone couldn’t really still believe that. Life and humanity certainly have a matter of keeping hope in check.

Example:

Last night at the Bucks I asked an employee if they were voting in Wisconsin’s primary on February 19. The rest of the conversation went like this.

“Yeah, but I don’t know who I’m voting for.”

“Well, the time is approaching. Any ideas? Republican? Democrat?”

“I don’t know,” the employee said as they hunkered over a Sunday New York Times with a picture of Huckabee on the cover.

“Huckabee?” I said.

“Who are you voting for?” The employee asked.

“Barack.”

“Who’s that?” The employee honestly wondered.

“OBAMA?” I said, certainly hoping that would strike a chord in the employee’s memory.

“Oh.” A pause. “Why are you voting for him?”

I sighed. I usually do this before a long answer. “Well, I am not really excited about any of the Republican candidates. If I had to choose one I could, but I don’t think I’m going to so I’ve taken a look at the Democrats and have sided with Obama and—“

“Isn’t he a Muslim?” The employee interjected.

I did plan on talking about how I came to Obama and how I think he stacks up against the other candidates, how I wasn’t always for him, and other stuff that would formulate a long answer, but it became clear to me I would not be given the opportunity. The conversation just hit a wall and now there was a little fire in my veins.

“No, he is not. That is a lie.” I said.

“Whatever, he’s a Muslim.”

I tried my best to defend him. “That rumor was started a long time ago and is not based on the facts. It was created by people out there that fear change, people that are racists, nut jobs that will do anything to keep him out of the White House.”

“My friend’s mom told me that he was a Muslim.”

“She’s wrong.” I said.

“Well, what is he?” The employee asked.

“He’s a Christian, has been for twenty years,” I said.

“No. I mean, I’m white. He isn’t black. What is he?” The tone of the employee’s voice was pure disgust, as if Obama’s mixed-race disqualifies him for the presidency or, for that matter, disqualifies him as a human.

“He is mixed race. His mother was white and from the United States. His dad was black and from Kenya,” I said.

The employee rolled their eyes at my answer and said, “I’m not going to vote for that.”

That? I couldn’t talk. It had been so long since I had been confronted face to face with such ignorance, stupidity, and frankly, blatant racism. All I could offer was a sarcastic “That’s a rational way to think about it.”

The conversation ended like that.

My hope took a hit, that’s for sure, but if it is suffocated under lies and killed by racism I am dead to the world, dead to change. Know hope.

Sad Story

Heath Ledger was found dead in a NYC apartment today. There isn't much news about it right now because the story just broke, but here is some info.

Pretty sad. He was young, pretty damn good at what he did, and leaves a daughter, and I am sure family, behind.

Crazy.

Update: Possible drug overdose. It was Mary-Kate Olsen's apartment? Autopsy to be conducted tomorrow.

The Pack was about to be back

If my Packer devotion were to be evaluated by a Cheese-head, I would probably get a failing grade. Still, even with my comparatively feeble enthusiasm for the Pack, last night’s game against the Giants was painful. The Packers had everything on their side, but played like victory was just going to come to them. Even if all the chips fall in a team’s favor like they did prior to this game, not to mention several times during the game, the team still needs to play the way that got them to the NFC Championship Game. The Packers didn’t. The second half was some of the most aggravating football to watch.

Ever.

Then overtime. The Packers got even luckier by winning the toss. There was one last glimmer of hope until Favre threw it right into the hands of a Giants defender.

Bum deal. I’m surprised flags aren’t at half-mast today.

A lot of things shrink in the cold

It was -13° during the infamous Ice Bowl in Green Bay.

I don’t think tomorrow is going to best that, but to give you an idea of how cold it is here, right now, at 11:30, I’ll tell you there is not a cloud in the sky. It is one of the clearest days I’ve seen in Milwaukee and it is -2° with a wind chill of -20°.

Green Bay is experiencing a sunny day too, but it is -10° right now with a wind chill of -29°. I think the Ice Bowl and its thirteen below record temperature will stand because tomorrow it is supposed to get up to 6° in Green Bay. That might be warm enough to keep it above -13° by the time the game is over.

"...his grand bargain bill..."

Interesting.

The NFL Rant

For me, last week’s NFL games came as close as any week of the NFL has to rivaling, let’s say, a week of college football bowl games.

San Diego Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts

Bottom line: I didn’t really care who won this game. If I were in a pool at work, I would have picked the Colts in a tough fight. I didn’t watch all of it, but was surprised that San Diego held on without Rivers and Tomlinson. After watching the highlights on SportsCenter I was pretty disappointed that the Chargers won because I didn’t realize how big of a jerk Rivers is. He was taunting the crowd and yelling at Colts fans, much like the way he did when the Chargers dashed the Broncos' playoff hopes. The ESPN anchor called him out on it by saying Rivers was “better than that”. I almost dislike Rivers enough to say that I hope the Chargers get destroyed by the Patriots. Who am I kidding? They will. Right?

Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

Everyone in Wisconsin was rooting for the Giants in this game. If the Cowboys won, the Packers would have to go down to Dallas and play in horrible Texas. They lost because of Jessica Simpson, a trip to Mexico, and a good QB living like a celebrity QB. It was all worth this touching moment from TO:

I guess I am sort of unfair.

New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Oh, the Pats. Did anyone pick the Jaguars? No, because the Pats are good, damn good, but so freaking boring. Like most of the nation, I am not a fan, but I am over them. If they win it all, I won’t be upset. If they lose, I might be a little happy, but I might be a little sad because then we’ll have to hear more from the 1972 Miami Dolphins. My main gripe against the Patriots…All season long they denied that they cared about running the table and that all they cared about was winning the Super Bowl. Each time they did this they were lying. Athletes care about their record and if there is a chance for them to make history they will care about that too. When the Patriots had only one or two games left a number of them were all of a sudden revealing that they did care about going undefeated during the regular season. That’s sneaky. Act like you don’t care when there is a greater risk of you losing. Then, when the risk is not as great, and it doesn’t look like you are going to lose your dignity after all, let everyone know how you really feel.

Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks

The first three minutes of this game were painful. The Packers were down 14-0 after Grant fumbled twice. I think if that happened later on in the game, like in the late first quarter, the Packers wouldn’t have been able to brush the deficit off so easily. As we know, they did. They cruised through the rest of the game in the blizzard and cold of Green Bay. Now, the Packers and their fans get one more game at Lambeau Field. The local networks are going crazy, calling the Packers’ season the “Super Season” and using a logo of the Vince Lombardi trophy. The grocery stores have huge archways formed by alternating Green Bay Packers balloons and Super Bowl balloons. When it comes to Packers football, Wisconsonites are getting carried away. I think that’s what they always do. It's crazy. I predict the Packers will be playing another game after Sunday, but it will be interesting to see everyone's demeanor on Monday if the Packers lose. My guess...mass suicide. Maybe I won't have to go into work that day. If not suicide, it'll certainly be a statewide day of mourning.

Want Ad

What is up with Apple always coming up with the sweetest looking technology? They're so good it bothers me.

It's Back

The Idol. It's already back. Didn't it just end a couple months ago? No, it ended in May, but wow, they really stretch the season out. I may tune in tonight, but I am not planning on being devoted to the show like I was last year. It's not the show itself because I find it extremely entertaining. It is the time. A commitment to the show means watching a minimum of two hours of American Idol a week until the end of May. That was a lot of work last year. I don't think I'm prepared to do that again. I don't want to do that again, but I do want to watch some people make fools of themselves tonight.

The opening round cynicism is lovely.

The Packers Win

It was a great football weekend. I've been meaning to do an NFL rant for a while, but it won't be up today because I have to go to work soon and close tonight.

For now, the video...this was a memorable moment from the Packers win over the Seahawks on Saturday. Like my ghetto shirt says, Favre is "38 and STILL GREAT".

Why Obama?

At first I didn’t know why. A year ago, when all the presidential candidates were doing the same thing as they are today, campaigning, a lot more of us weren’t ready to pay that much attention to them. I wasn’t ready yet. I mean, 2006 just ended and the talking heads were getting jittery about an election in 2008.

But 2008 is finally upon us. This means, regrettably sometimes, that the nonstop coverage of the candidates’ parade around the country is justified, and almost necessary for those that have managed to stay mysteriously uninformed about who is running for president in 08.

One of those running is Barack Obama, the junior Senator from Illinois. He is the youngest Democrat in the field by eight years, and the youngest of all the candidates by six years. Obama is 46 years of age in a field of candidates in which the average age is 60. A tactic employed by Obama’s greatest competition, Hillary Clinton, is to touch upon this fact regularly in debates and press conferences. She thinks by doing so she will enlighten the masses about this man’s apparent lack of experience in politics.

There is a big problem though. I, and, I think, many others out there, don’t and can’t possibly equate experience in politics with smart decision making, a moral high ground, and leadership qualities; maybe in another era, but not this one. “Experienced” politicians have committed adultery in the Oval Office. They have unexplainably launched missile attacks at overseas targets when the heat was on them in America. They have squandered the immediate post-9/11, pro-American surge across the world with a misguided war in a country not responsible for the deadliest terrorism attack on US soil. They have used the most capable of minds to bend, shift, and change the law as they see fit.

Typically, experience is not a bad word, but recent politicians have tarnished its spit-shined image. Now, from experience flows polarizing agendas, dusty speeches, and low-ball tactics on the campaign trail.

The critics of Obama’s experience are right. He doesn’t have decades of practice behind him. He was born in the 60s, early enough to not possibly have been assimilated by the partisan politics of Washington. That’s why I like him.

I don’t think I take to too many trends easily. At first, I didn’t warm to Obama at all because he was so popular. My cynical nature refused to get excited about this man. After all, it was clear that he didn’t need any more people being excited about him. I did my best to avoid Obama and his throngs of fans, but that was all but impossible leading up to the primaries.

As summer turned to fall I started reading a lot more about the junior Senator from Illinois. He appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He was all over the blogs. He was in Time and then on the cover of Time. And, by then, I was hooked. I could no longer look at him and tap into my bank of cynical comments about untrustworthy politicians. I recognized this ability in him to comfort people across political parties, something that I have never seen a politician do. I, being 24, have lived my life reading and learning about legendary politicians like John F. Kennedy, to name one, and I’ve always wondered what it would be like to live during the life of a leader like that. The more I watch Obama, the more I feel like I am witnessing a revolution in the political landscape of America and, most importantly, a reversal of the status quo.

Maybe Bill Clinton was right. It all sounds like a “fairy tale” and I am caught up in it. But I have seen the alternative. I don’t want it and, I am not alone.

Ice Cold New Hampshire

I'm not completely over last night. I think I'm a little queasy still from Hillary's victory speech. Luckily, The Daily Show just came on so I had to change the channel, but I have caught clips here and there on the news and blogs. I think, by now, I've seen the speech in its entirety.

I know it is just the New Hampshire primary, but I felt devastated last night. I didn't only feel that way because Hillary isn't my choice for President, but because she was the choice of so many other people. They are hopeful that Hillary could win the presidency. I can't blame them. You want to be hopeful about your candidate's actual chances, but if she wins the nomination, Hillary doesn't have a chance. Her polarizing power will be on full display November 4 and I think America will have squandered the opportunity to elect a unifying candidate.

The antidote for all this madness: Beer and Bowling with Kate and friends at my employer's store party.

What? Too Close To Call

I'm scared right now. Clinton is rocking a 2-4% lead over Obama in New Hampshire.

Did the tears help? Did Bill calling Obama's campaign a "fairy tale" change people's minds?

I hope not.

Colbert's Strike Beard

Yes, I watched the best hour of political satire on television last night. Things were different though, very different. Since Stewart and Colbert are a part of the WGA they can't write any scripts for their shows. There is nothing in the teleprompter. There are no notes. There are no correspondents.

The Daily Show's punch has been diminished by the absence of its wonderful team of correspondents, but I'll take what I can get.

In the nick of time...

I'll be watching college tackle football tonight and I will cap it off with the return of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. A good evening.

And...

Today is January 7 and it reached 60 degrees in Milwaukee.

Wyoming (R)'s love Romney

I should have followed up on this sooner. I was flipping through the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel today and saw the coverage on Wyoming's Republican caucus.

It read...

Romney wins in Wyoming

He is quoted in the article as saying, "This is just the beginning," after gaining eight of Wyoming's twelve available delegates.

That is funny because I don't think Mitt has started a trend in Wyoming.

The Bridge is Out!

The Bucks is certainly wavering.

Stock down 42% in 2007.

The Bradleys Visit

A few pictures from the Bradleys visit for Christmas in Milwaukee.

Angela, Kendra, and Kate by our tree (that is still up by the way, and still drinking water).

The Bradleys brought their beloved Scotty dogs. Here, Kate is jostling for position with Molly, the pup.

We always have poppers on Christmas Eve. Each popper comes with a sweet paper crown and a present. I got a toy bike. Kate got an eye patch. Argh, me maties!

Tim sports his new hat. I want one. However, I would need a larger hat for a larger head.

V is for Victory

I tuned in for Obama's speech following his victory in the Iowa Caucus last night and was excited, honestly excited, about hearing a politician speak. His speech included typical political pleasantries, but unlike so many other candidates, his rhetoric struck me as genuine, honorable, and unifying.

I was captivated by the excitement in the room, by the young voters, by the turnout, and by Obama's ability to give a speech.

Obama says at one point, "I know you didn't do this for me." I believe him because I don't think that room of people did do that for him. That room of people thinks the world is changing and they think that America has gone awry in recent years. That room wants change. That room wants hope for America and they see Obama as the catalyst of that hope. I really do believe they did this for America. Obama gets to ride the wave now.

And, the man sure can give a speech.

Changes

I sent Jarrod another picture I took. This time the picture was of Milwaukee. He came back with the banner you see above. I love it. It has inspired me to change some things around here to better match up with the graphic.

Let me know if you like the new look.

There is a poll about it in the sidebar.

My Endorsments

First, my endorsements don't matter. I am not the Des Moines Register, the New York Times, or a consistently political blogger with any influence. However, I do have a place to endorse, even if only a few people are reading.

Second, can I just say that I think people in general don't talk about who they are going to vote for enough? Yes? Okay. People need to talk about the candidate they are going to vote for more. I don't know why so many people treat their choice for a future leader of this country as classified information. I want to be proud about my selection. I want to feel like I am informed about my candidate's platform. And, I don't want to make my choice and then file it away in some closet only to break it out on November 4 to find out my choice isn't on the ballot. So, share a name. Have a discussion. Debate. Don't lose your temper. Change your mind. Agree to disagree, but please, please don't hide your choice for the next President of the United States of America.

At this point, since it is still so early, I am endorsing one candidate from each major party.

The Democrats:

Obama.

The Republicans:

McCain.

That's right. I'm not going to explain in detail at this point why I like those two. I have my reasons. Those are big posts though. Today is not a big posting day. I just wanted to get my selections out there before tonight. Explanations will follow.

To Caucus

Sure, the Iowans caucus today, but do you know when and where the second caucus in the country is?

No? Not surprised.

January 5. Wyoming (R). For real. W00t!

Oral Culture

Andrew Sullivan linked to this great quote a few days ago and I just found it.

"We grew up in an oral culture and we like to laugh," Bill Clinton.

I'm sure he'll expand upon this quote in his follow up book to Giving, Receiving.

To Throw Off

This blog is an outlet for me. I shed a lot of feelings on here. These words lighten my load. One thing I am on here is incredibly honest. In speech I may avoid certain topics, but not on here. If I want to write it, I will most likely write it. However, I am getting better at thinking things over before I post. Just like there are things better left unsaid, there are things better left unwritten.

This is not one of those things…

Curse words. I have always sort of been fascinated with curse words. I had a very bad mouth back in grade school and middle school. I went through that stage that many of us go through; when I thought cursing was really cool. I thought if I could learn to be good at cursing, like they are in the movies, I could impress people or even make them laugh.

I grew out of that stage when I heard others cursing around me. They didn’t sound cool. They didn’t make me laugh or impress me with their ability to string a bunch of expletives together. Anyone can do it. Plus, they always sounded uneducated.

But there is an appreciation for curse words that I suppose may never leave me. For example, I will always appreciate the way gangsters curse in gangster movies like Goodfellas and The Departed. It is so believable. Everyone is doing it. And, by the end of the movie you are going to end up loving at least one character that has a mouth on him worse than any you have ever heard in person. That takes talent.

Timing is everything when it comes to a well placed curse word. It is best when no one is expecting, but you need talent to know when no one is expecting.

Curse words are filthy words, I guess. If I ever have a day, or a sentence for that matter, where I feel there was a surplus of curse words, I will feel pretty bad about it. I don’t want to be the person that curses a lot.

However, there are those rare instances though that creep up on you in life that couldn’t be described more beautifully by any other group of words.

Today, I find myself in one of those rare instances, and all I have to say about it is FUBAR.

Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition