Rainey's Pissed

I was never going to vote for John McCain. I knew that, you knew that. The platform of the Republican party just simply does not represent the majority of my beliefs or values. Period. So it was a fait accompli that I'd be voting for the Democrat.

But when the GOP candidate (against the desires of the party leadership) selected John McCain, I breathed a little easier. I liked John McCain. I liked his integrity. I liked his record of bi-partisanship - something that would be essential if he were elected given that he'll certainly have to work with a Democratically controlled Congress. And I was furious in 2000 when Rove-inspired swift boating, from the "religious" right, no less, resulted in his being skewered in Florida.

I don't relate to John McCain but found him far less scary than all the other Republican alternatives.

I'm over that.

It started with Sarah Palin but the last nail went into the coffin this week. It's not just that two desperate candidates are lying and slinging mud for all they are worth. It's all they've got left. Sadly, it's what you'd expect. But they are doing more than slinging mud. They are inciting violence.






Trust me on this, if I were in a rally and the candidate denigrated W and I yelled out "Kill him!" my ass would be in prison faster than you can say "Git Mo". If John McCain had any integrity at all, when that a-hole yelled out "Kill him!", instead of grimacing and going on he would have swung around, demanded the removal of that jerk by law enforcement and then he would have said something like, "Hey, I want to be President in the worst possible way but if you're going to talk like that I don't want your frakking vote". And then, maybe just maybe, if he had any integrity, he'd ratchet down the rhetoric and tell Sarah to do the same thing. When you start whipping up the crowd into a murderous frenzy, you have gone too frakking far.

John McCain should be ashamed of himself. And if, God forbid, anything happens to Barack between now and election day, I personally would endorse both McCain and Palin being held as accessories to the crime.

Don't tell me that John McCain and Sarah Palin aren't responsible for those shouts. They sure as hell are. There is only one response to that sort of language: pure, unadulterated condemnation. The fact that they are letting it slide is outrageous. It's evil. I don't know how they sleep at night.

I Approve This Message

I'm sleeping, all snuggly and warm, and The Spouse's alarm goes off. I don't mind. I still have half an hour before I get up.

I try to go back to sleep; the volume on his alarm clock is low enough to manage that. I'm almost there and then, eyes still closed, I blurt out "That's a lie!"

There is was, yet another sound bite of McPain telling people Barack "is going to raise your taxes".

Barack Obama is N.O.T. going to raise taxes on you unless you are one of the 5% wealthiest Americans. Show of hands: who here makes a quarter of a million dollars or more a year?

(crickets chirping)

That's what I thought.

Mr. Straight Talk is anything but. He and his trained chimp (yes, I called her a trained chimp but that's not sexist. I didn't say the chimp was wearing makeup) are lying out both sides of their mouths and falling all over their flip flops at a dizzying rate. These people are telling so many lies that even Karl Rove, Karl frakking Rove says they've gone too far. That's like Darth Vadar saying you're too mean.

All you can see now of the Straight Talk Express is tail lights. Whatever integrity John McCain had at the beginning of this contest is officially gone. And that's no lie.

HOLY CATS!

This just in: Karl Rove has been cited for contempt by the House Judiciary committee.

The charge stems from his failure to appear before the committee earlier this summer. It does not include charges for contempt of democracy, contempt of the Constitution, contempt of civil liberties or contempt of the electoral process. But it's a start.

Oh, sure, it could be that he'll never seen the inside of a courtroom let alone a jail cell but ding dong, I feel a happy dance coming on.

Monday Morning Happy Dance

First of all, this getting up early enough to blog about something meaningful is harder than I thought.

Somewhere in Omaha someone just said, "See?"

But secondly, nothing I have to say is any where near as important as the news that this century's greatest patriot, that paragon of virtue, Karl Rove, has decided to leave politics. Greater minds than mine will have more to say about this in time, I am sure.

But even as I lay in that fragile place between waking and sleeping, vaguely hearing NPR as it wafted toward me from The Spouse's side of the bed, I heard the news, in the dim of 5:30am PDT, and I lifted my head and uttered something along the lines of "Tee!"

It is my contention that Karl Rove was a very, very bad man who did many, many bad things. He showed a blatant disregard for the Constitution and the very principles upon which this nation was founded and he did so for no better reason than arrogance and hubris. I truly believe that a lot of what he thinks he got away with was done with the spirit of a naughty little boy who tries something just to see if he'll get caught.

Well, so far, he has dodged an indictment and has timed his resignation so as to not leave in the midst of a scandal or a lost election, thereby creating the illusion that he's leaving on his own for his own purposes. And what do I know? Maybe he really is.

But I know this: what's left of our justice system may yet come for him. If not that, history will not treat him with kindness. And someday he will have to answer for what he's done. Maybe now, more likely later. But there will be a reckoning. To have the sort of genius he is reported to have and use it for ill instead of good? That, my friends, is my idea of sin.

So Karl Rove leaves the White House and, reportedly, politics. And while I know there are plenty of evil-doers still left in the administration and all that, Rove's resignation is a good thing. A very good thing.

Oh. For the Love of God...

THIS snapped me out of my summer doldrums. Know the part I like best?

The legalese:
"The alleged tortious conduct, namely the disclosure of Mrs. Wilson's status as a covert operative, was incidental to the kind of conduct that defendants were employed to perform".

-U.S. District Judge John D. Bates

The translation:

"It was their job".

Did I get that right, Lex?

Sheesh.

Oh. My. Gosh. Friday

Oh. My. Gosh. #1
It's Friday. This less than stellar week is winding down. Gratitude abounds.

Oh. My. Gosh. #2
Not that this really is shocking or anything, but Karl Rove's fingerprints are all over a smoking gun in the firing of a mess of US attorneys. And in light of this new evidence, the latest is that the White House is now starting to back off their story that all this skullduggery originated with Harriet Miers, who is a) no longer in the administration and 2) was once the President's candidate for a Supreme Court justice. Looks more and more like Gonzales and Rove cooked up the whole thing. Again, not a surprise but now key Republicans are calling for Gonzales' resignation and noting things like the "pattern of arrogance in this administration" (Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif.- gosh, ya think?) ...I don't know, kids. Kinda hard to keep the lid on the schaudenfreude. It's spring cleaning time. I say, start with Rove.

Oh. My. Gosh. #3
File this under "Small, Crazy World". Turns out one of my dearest friends in the world is the sister of Krista Barth, who is representing Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith's "partner". This just cracks me up. I'm not even sure why. And no, I didn't get any dirt because KK isn't a purveyor of such things. She did tell me that her sister babysat Dannielynn during the funeral. Krista had never met Anna Nicole so she didn't think it was appropriate to take one of the limited seats from someone who had known her. Krista watched the baby so the household staff could attend. I think that's sweet. I still don't much trust her client, but hey, no one asked me to.

Oh. My. Gosh. #4
Last week Horizon over at "Message in a Bottle" posted some silly pictures of her youngest, which birthed a whimsical little game, that created a virtual rock band. Well, ever the creative one, Horizon has now designed a promotional picture and CD cover for said group. It is a triumph of photoshopping. If you need a laugh today you must go check out her brilliant effort. I think we all look quite superfantastic. Brava, Horizon.

Oh. My. Gosh. Look at the Time!
I must away. Haven't done the grocery shopping yet and am still reclaiming the kitchen after the flood the other night. The Cat has another appointment at 5pm and then, assuming goodish news, the evening will be devoted to fish & chips and a really good movie. I don't know what really good movie but I want to watch something terrifically light-hearted and entertaining. (And no, honey, that wouldn't be "The Sorrow and the Pity").

Post-Election Day Reflections

Sorry, but the wonk in me is still wide-awake. (The rest of me is dragging. In a good way).

First, I still can't get over the big fat hello-Christmas-came-early announcement of Rumsfeld's resignation. That is some of the best news EVAH! Don't let the door hit you on the way out, Rummy. Thanks for absolutely nothing.

Next, I spent a little time watching a fairly chastened President just now. One of my favorite bits was when he noted that many of the individual races were close (which is absolutely correct) but that the "cumulative effect amounted to a thumpin'". From a mandate to a thumpin'. I'd almost feel sorry for him but I so don't. Also, apparently he and Karl Rove have some sort of reading contest going on. Who knew?

Important point to note for the future: it's hard to steal elections when voter turnout is high. (Still looking for numbers nationwide and I won't have anything local until after 6pm tonight but I can tell you it was higher than expected. Even in the places that were flooded).

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Other bits of punditry:

* I am hopeful today that we will see some action on various fronts in the next 2 years. Gridlock isn't really an option if a) the Dems want to keep building on their gains and 2) if any Republican wants to be elected President in '08. There absolutely MUST be movement, in a positive direction, in Iraq in the next two years or the albatross that is the war will drown the GOP candidate, just as it hurt GOP candidates yesterday.

* While this election was in fact a referendum on the President and the GOP congress, it was also a vindication of Howard Dean. Many people were skeptical when he became head of the DNC, even as it delighted Deaniacs such as myself. Gov. Dean had some fresh ideas, not the least being the "50 state strategy" which had the DNC putting field offices in every single state and running campaigns in places that have traditionally just been ceded to the GOP. He's not afraid to run strong candiates in red places and that strategy was key to Democratic success last night. Rahm Emmanual and Charles Schumer aren't too shabby, either.

* I kept noticing in speeches last night that while the Dems were consistently saying things like "the people have spoken", "the people voted for change", etc. etc. etc. I didn't hear anyone say "mandate". Somehow, I found that refreshing.

I think that's all.

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So here's what I did yesterday:

I voted at 7:15am and my polling place was full. While I was voting a woman came in and announced, "I'm a first-time voter; I just became a citizen". That was inspiring. Behind her came a man who needed to vote on a provisional ballot. The pollworkers knew what to do. That was encouraging. Driving to the campaign office I passed a thicket of McGavick supporters waving signs at a very busy intersection. No one was honking in support. All this taken together put me in very good spirits.

Philip is the young man who has been coordinating volunteers for Maria's campaign. He is a fine, fine fellow. He asked me what it looked like out there and I told him about the McGavick crowd so he immediately directed our first influx of volunteers to hit the same intersection with signs. It was pouring rain, btw.

My job yesterday was to make sure people were eating, drinking and taking breaks. But after over a year of working together, Phil decided to deputize me, training me on what he was going to be doing so that I could handle volunteers without him.

Our canvassers were operating out of locations throughout the city. The main office was mostly doing GOTV phone calls. We had over 100 people calling throughout the day, with a max of about 30 at any given time. Callers ranged in age from 11 to 80. There was a gentleman in a wheelchair, a mom with a 3 year old in tow. There were about 5 high school students (who weren't strictly speaking skipping school as they were earning service hours). Those kids rocked my world. They were all so sweet and respectful and articulate. They worked for hours to get out the vote for an election they were too young to vote in. You have to love that. And that 6th grader? Sheesh, scary smart and articulate young man. It must have been adorable to get a call from him. Oh, and we also had the ex-wife of one of our representatives, a lovely, lovely woman. Great group of folks.

Every couple of hours I ran around checking with each volunteer, doing a tabulation of how many calls they'd made and how many actual humans they'd spoken to out of those calls. I have no idea what they were doing with this information but it was a nice diversion.

Because of massive flooding in parts of the county, we shifted some callers to a special phone bank, informing voters in affected areas how they could still vote. Again, I don't know the numbers but people were making a stellar effort to vote even as the floodwaters rose. If that doesn't bring a tear to one's patriotic eye, I don't know what will.

It was busy. I was rarely off my feet. I tripped over a phone cord and almost fell right in front of a television reporter. I looked at her and said, "Volunteer killed on site. Film at 11". She laughed. (Fortunately, the camera was elsewhere).

And then, somewhere around 5 or 6 (who knows) a shout of joy went up from Philip. It was the news that Rick Santorum was out of a job. Much high fiving, happy dancing and general gleefulness ensued. At that moment I truly believed that anything to come would be gravy.

And then the gravy started.

The few volunteers who were still around started being lured away from their phones. Which was fine as all the rest of us were crowding around televisions to watch returns. Sometimes my mom gene kicked in, I'd forage for sammies and water for the pack and then sit back down to enjoy the show.

Around 8:20 I gave Phil yet another high five and a hug and headed down to the Democrats party at the Sheraton. True confessions: part of the reason I volunteered was to get into that party. Seriously. I've watched so many election nights and always wondered what it would be like at one of those things. I'm shallow that way.

I had worn a Maria Cantwell tshirt all day, my hair pulled up in a ponytail. At the hotel I changed into a pretty black top (to go with my black skirt), took down my hair and generally szhooshed myself. Out in the grand ballroom I began encountering some of my volunteers. They didn't recognize me. I kinda liked that. I'm shallow that way, too.

The Neighbor gave me donkey earrings a few months ago. They were a big hit.

I bought a pricey glass of wine and cruised the room, chatting with folks. Unfortunately, I never spotted some of the people with whom I most wanted to share a victory hug. It was a crowded, crowded party. I found some of my favorite volunteers of the day and we hung for a while, watching CNN on the big screen and cheering when actual people took the podium. I was dying to hang in there until Maria came out but but by 10pm my legs were threatening mutiny.

The Neighbor's light was on when I drove by so we debriefed over a glass of wine. She was a very happy camper, too. And then I started to cry. Just a little. But it just felt sooooo good to win yesterday. Not only did Maria win but she won handily. Her race was called at 8:01. This was an important election and the fact that we'd done the job and I had a tiny part in that made me a smidge varklempt. What a sap.

The Spouse had waited up so we shared about our days. (He and The Child attended the funeral of one of his aunties yesterday. This was the second funeral on his side of the family in as many weeks. He was a little varklempt, too). He went to bed around midnight but I was too jazzed to sleep until about 2:30.

The Child was cute on the way to school, saying, "You should take a nap when you get home". I said I'd probably want to watch the news. She said, "Well, then watch the news in your bed and then you can sleep when you want to". I think I'm finally ready to take her advice.

I would like to thank my family for all their support and encouragement in the last 14 months of the campaign, but particularly the last few days when I've been fairly absentee. I pledge to them that there will be clean jeans and underwear by the end of the day. The house will be returned to order by tomorrow.

Thank you to all of you who voted yesterday, regardless of who you chose. That's the way it works.

(Oh holy moly, did Wolf just say that Hastert isn't going to run for minority leader? I. Can't. Stand. It!)

Thanks for reading all this. Thanks for voting. I'm going to bed.

A Good Use for Lawyers

Breaking news: Valerie Plame is suing Dick Cheney, Scooter Libby and Devil's Spawn Karl Rove for conspiring to ruin her career as a CIA agent. I. Love. It.

Things That Happened Today

The Child bluffed her way into cleaning out her mother in poker. Actually, it wasn't a real bluff in the sense of not having anything and making people think she did. Kid had a pair of kings and a pair of 10s and all I had was a pair of 4s. Point is, she beat me stone cold. Which is good. In case the college thing doesn't work out.

The Spouse and I watched a couple episodes of "Arrested Development". We're catching up. God bless Netflix.

The Cat caught and killed a bird. Which she proceeded to eat on the kitchen counter. I didn't take pictures.

It was 80 degrees here today. What the crap is that about?

Karl Rove is still a free man. But I'm hopeful.

Glassware

Glass Half Empty

There is a weird smell in our living room. BBB, who came for tea yesterday, couldn't smell it. No one else in the family has said anything. But it smells like a fish peed. I've cleaned, mopped and burned incense but I still smell it. Weird.

There was too much drama in our house last night. You'd think, after all these years, we'd have figured out some way of coping with all the strong wills in this house without re-enacting Titus Andronicus. Metaphorically speaking.

It's raining.

I watched the President's press conference from yesterday. And I had to look at Karl Rove. Eeeww.

"Gilmore girls" was a repeat. Again.

Glass Half Full

The Spouse got a promotion yesterday. With money. Very unexpected, the latter part. Good on him. I can buy more incense for the fish smell.

Our puppy is so funny. He has secured a piece of tortilla and is prancing through the house with it. Apparently he'd rather show it off than eat it.

The Child sprang right out of bed this morning. And she seems quite cheerful. Could it be, at least for now, that she has recognized that we do the things we do (like ground her for sneaking out to play when she hadn't finished her homework) and insist on certain standards (like finishing her damn homework) because we love her and want her to succeed? Sometimes drama, even badly executed, has its uses.

Dripping is part of spring in these parts. And we've had so much snow in the mountains that, unless a drought starts right this second, we are going to have plenty of water this summer. This will make my garden very happy.

If W wasn't such a putz "The Daily Show" wouldn't be nearly as funny.

The Spouse and I watched "Napoleon Dynamite" last night. Sweet.

Conclusion

I prefer to drink from a half full glass. And I like to top it off. Pass the vino.

Bad Dreams

We had a Karaoke party at school tonight. I was the impetus behind the idea so necessarily felt a fair amount of obligation relative to its success. Short story, we had a great time, we raised some money and I got to sing "Love Shack" with my friend Dave. All good.

But last night I had a very freaky dream. I'm sure, on the most basic level, that I was worrying about whether the party would be a success. In the dream I was in a church sanctuary. Suddenly, a group of terrorists come in with automatic weapons and force us all to the floor. There was a bit in there about window shades that wouldn't close. I remember lying on the floor and heaving with fear. Then, with no apparent transition, I'm in a room alone with Karl Rove and he spends the next hour trying to convince me that he's a good guy but all I can think is "Geez, this guy is such a tub".

Isn't the subconscious weird?