(I just finished watching the second 2004 Presidential debate. I also just finished a vodka and tonic.)
First of all I want to send MAD LOVE to the lady in the audience with the American flag shirt on. You, Flag Shirt Lady, probably thought long and hard about what you would wear on national t.v. You decided to wear the American flag shirt to the debate after much debate. You wanted to stand out. Let me tell you Flag Shirt Lady, you really did. Oh say can you see, you really did.
I would also like to start by pointing out that Bush did way, way better this time around. Sure, what he was saying was lie after failed joke after lie, but he completed most of his sentences. He didn’t look like a short busser stuck on pause. He didn’t look like a kid in a booster chair stuck behind a lecturn like during the last debate. He looked eager. He looked parched. But he wasn’t drooling and stuttering and so people are going to be all, “LOOK! HE WON! Bush gets a cookie!”
Kerry was more passionate and eloquent this bout, calling Bush out on lies and boasts about boosting jobs and homeland safety and the environment. He was steadfast and unyielding. Bush was better than he was before, but Kerry was just as great as he was the first time around. And that is what he needs. To counter the Republican’s only charge against him: that he is inconsistent. By being great–the same great that he was the first round–he makes the flip-flopper charge look pretty flimsy.
Here are other thoughts, at random:
-The lack of a constant split-screen was to Kerry’s detriment. Bush didn’t smirk as much as before, but he did grind his teeth all night like he did a fat rail before hitting the stage. A president who chews his cud might be a president to let out to pasture.
-Bush called this here thing “the internets.” Plural. Gore invented the motherfucking thing, and this asshole can’t even pronounce it.
-I’m really, really glad they talked about Supreme Court nominations. That is one of the most pertinent issues to me in determining who wins this election. If Bush is elected and 3-4 justices resign as is projected, then women in this country will be forced to have a child if they become pregnant. Count on it. I don’t want to even think about what other travesties might take place. Note Bush joked about the question when asked.
-And that is another thing. It was highly amusing to watch Bush tell limp joke after limp joke and having them each fail. You’d think Bill Cosby was onstage during Bush’s campaign speeches thanks to his ass-licking hand-picked audience members. At tonight’s debate there were a couple of sympathy laughs. But mostly silence. I may have even heard an audible groan. Then Kerry totally killed when he joked about Charles Gibson not getting a tax break under his plan due to his $200,000+ a year salary. Because that was actually funny. [Hey! You need some wood?]
-How many times, I wonder, did Bush say, “That’s just the way it is.” That’s just the way it is?! You can’t say that in a debate! That is about as good as, “Because I said so.”
-Near the end Bush said, “Thank you all. It was enjoyable.” His face said, “Fuck you all. Tonight was freaking hell. I need a beer.”
-In Bush’s defense, he did call the terrorists “haters.” That was pretty cool. Except I think he spells it “haterz.” With a ‘z’.
28 comments ↓
Usually when I’m blog surfing if there’s nothing that jumps out at me I move on rather quickly. When I came to yours I did not move on. I stayed and browsed. Bottom line…I like you blog! It made me smile tonight…
Cheers,
Billy
“The lack of a constant split-screen was to Kerry’s detriment.”
I had one on C-Span, yo.
C-Span is teh only way to fly on these bitchez.
Wow. It’s been a while since I heard anything so shamelessly partisan. Props for sharing your opinions, but … whoa.
We salute you…
Brittney has some hilarious nugs on the debate:First of all I want to send MAD LOVE to the lady in the audience with the American flag shirt on. You, Flag Shirt Lady, probably thought long and hard about what you…
here’s the problem.
people live in the midwest.
He’s damn right. Your bias against flag shirts was ALL OVER this article. I’ve never seen anything more one sided anywhere else on the entire internet EVER. Why can’t personal weblogs hold themselves up to a fair, balanced standard?
I like bush.
he is against abortion (baby killing),
he spontainiously hugs little girls who lost thier mommy in the world trade center, & he cares about protecting this nation. he might not win a freaken grammer contest, but if we need another full of sh@t, all theory, english teacher, maybe I would consider Kerry.
Hey, Bart. I like your name. Bart.
Besides being against the baby killing (As we all know I’m totally for. Federally funded baby slaughters! I VOTE YES!) and spontaneous hugs, what is it that you like about Bush? And what in God’s name makes you think he gives two shits about protecting anybody but himself and his interests?
I really want to know.
“what is it that you like about Bush? And what in God’s name makes you think he gives two shits about protecting anybody but himself and his interests?”
You didn’t exactly answer those questions about kerry either.
You’re so partisan that it’s almost comical. Maybe that’s what you’re going for, who knows. But this whole idea that bush is 100 percent evil and kerry is 100 percent perfect is simple minded and, well, ignorant.
‘The internets’. Too funny. I lol’d when I heard that. Kerry, a little more in touch with the times said something about ‘pulling down his opinion on something off the internet’. A little better than ‘internets’ but ‘his website’ would have been more appropriate. I miss railz… Bad. bad. bad. I know. Yea for Kerry! I love you Brittney! Feel free to delete this comment, I’m drunk. Still, reading you makes me happy. Thank you.
Dave, I never said Kerry was 100% perfect. I don’t have to. Truth be told, I’d vote for just about anybody–maybe even you–to get Bush out of office.
Kerry is not perfect. By far. In fact, in 2000 I voted third party. I would do so this time, too, but I’m scared to death Bush will be re-elected. Does my vote count in Tennessee Bush country? No. Probably not. But maybe, just maybe it will. I’m not risking “throwing my vote away.”
I’m not sure if you, Dave, and Bart, think this is some sort of news site or something. Fair and balanced it’s not. You can go back to watching FOX news for that. This is my personal weblog where I comment on whatever the fuck I feel like. My personal dislike of Bush–who will go down as the worst persident in the history of this country–does not need to be defended here to you or anyone else. This is my turf. If you find that simple-minded or ignorant, I’ll gladly show you out.
It’s the third door past the bathroom down the hall and to the left.
Oooooooooo SNAP! On your way out, pick up this copy of McSweeney’s…
I’d be interested more in hearing about what President Bush has done to adversely affect your life. And if it is more an issue of what you are afraid he will do, what makes you think he will do something he hasn’t done in his first four years?
See, I don’t think of it that way–what Bush has done to “adversely affect my life.” It’s the lives of others, the lives of my children and their children, and the lives of those who live outside this country that I am concerned with.
The recession hasn’t helped me get a job in a creative field, but part of that is my own laziness. And no, I don’t think that Bush inherited this recession. He created it by giving tax breaks to the ultra-rich. By and large, Bush in office hasn’t negatively affected my quality of living. But I’m one of the lucky ones.
I’m concerened about our men and women in the military–the RESERVES meant to defend our country at home–who are now limbless or dead because Bush chose to invade the wrong country. I’m concerned about the motherless Iraqi children who were orphaned at the hands of our administration. I’m concerned that my daughter or my sister might be stripped of the right to choose for themselves whether to have a child. I’m concerned about the planet, the air, the water. I’m concerned about the children in this country who don’t have adequate health care. I’m concerned about these same children whose public school educations are pitiful due to Bush underfunding his “No Child Left Behind” act. I’m concerned about seniors who are completely crippled by outrageous prescription costs.
To me, that is one fundamental difference between conservatives and liberals. Conservatives are often worried about “what Bush will do for me.” They say, “It’s not my fault I make $250,000 a year.” Liberals–or at least I–am less selfish in my motivations, and think it more important for every American to be given the chance to learn and thrive and be free from sickness in this country, regardless of what their parents do for a living.
I voted for Bush in 2000. I’m voting against Bush in 2004.
Why am I voting against him?
* Enron/Tyco/MCI/Xerox/etc.
* Halliburton’s no-bid contracts, proof that the company has bilked the US out of millions, and the fact that NOTHING seems to be happening to stop it other than repeated slaps on the wrist.
* Linking Iraq with terrorism in spite of the fact that Iraq and terrorism are linked less than Israel and terrorism (yet Bush supports Israel).
* Companies being given incentives to move jobs overseas.
* Forcing Christianity down all of our throats (immigrants populated this country to get away from shit like that).
* Anti-gay everything.
* Anti-women everything.
* Bankrupting our country going after symbolic “wins” in the “War on Terrorism” instead of helping to shore up our foreign policy and our ability to protect ourselves right here at home (killing bin Laden and thinking terrorism will die because of it is like killing the pope and thinking that the Catholic church will topple as a result. This guy went to YALE??).
* The entire fucking planet hates us. Yes, INCLUDING England (minus Tony Blair, of course). Like Kerry, I believe we’re in more danger - not less - now that this pointless war in Iraq has been waged. Right now, there are still some folks who separate Bush from the rest of America. “…we love Americans, we just hate Bush,” is the comment I’ve heard the most. However, if we re-elect Bush, we’ll be sending a message to Planet Earth that we - Americans - support every dipshit thing he’s done, and when that happens, God help us…
I don’t give a shit if it’s a symbolic act. Bush needs to be voted out of office. Kerry may not be much better (I don’t like him, and I dislike his Booboo Bear ambulance chasing VP even more), but he’s not Bush so he’s getting my vote.
SMALL WEBLOG SHOOTS TO INTERNATIONAL FAME AS FATE OF ALL U.S. SWING VOTERS DECIDED IN POST ABOUT SPELLING HATERZ WITH A Z
MAINSTREAM MEDIA DAZZLED THAT SO MANY PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON COMMENTS FROM STRANGERS
STAR TREK FANS WITH FAST CONNECTIONS AND FREE TIME SEIZE ON NEW POLITICS AND ELECT PATRICK STEWART TO THE WHITE HOUSE WITH 96% OF THE VOTE
AM RADIO CRIES FOR ROMULAN COMMANDER TO END LIBERAL STARFLEET DEATH TAX AND IMPEACH KNOWN BORG SYMPATHIZER
KARL ROVE STROKES GOATEE AND FONDLES AGONIZER
…DEVELOPING…
Kids:
Remember to keep:
Religion
Politics
Sex orientation
TO YOURSELF!!!!!
THEY ARE PRIVATE ISSUES AND SHOULD ALWAYS BE RESPECTED!!!!
Capish?
Most of the Bush haterz are concerned not about anything Bush has done to harm them, or anyone they know, but because of the second-hand claims they have heard about Bush’s policies screwing over the masses. If the masses were truly at a disadvantage under the Bush administration, Kerry would be ahead by 20 or 30 points. Maybe more.
If everyone who personally suffers from the alleged raping of the planet, the air, the water, the health care system, the economy and the public schools voted for Kerry, and everyone who is “lucky”, like you, voted for Bush, what you would find is that Bush would win in a landslide.
People who are concerned about the sky falling under the Republicans have been misled like a Branch Davidian. The end of the world is not coming. No one’s daughter or sister is going to be forced to have an unwanted child. 12 years of Reagan-Bush didn’t change that. Four years of GW didn’t change it. Four more won’t either. And the children of Iraq are likely to be much better off under the new Iraqi government than under the old regime. It is unfortunate that 1,000 men and women who chose to serve America against foreign and domestic enemies have lost their lives in Iraq supporting a bipartisan military campaign, and I respect your empathy for them, but your concern about the ruining of the rest of American is misguided.
[Comment deleted by webmaster.]
ed. note: Dave responded to my comment with empty insults about me, my job and my intelligence. Dave had nothing smart to say and was just ebing an ass. Dave was deleted and banned.
LATER DAVE!
It’s too bad dave vanished. He really needs to read this.
Americans should care about how the world views us. Look at what happens to those who do as they want without caring what the rest of the planet thinks: Saddam Hussein, Jean Bertrand Aristide, Manuel Noriega, Nazis, Napolean, the Taliban, Idi Amin, on and on and on. Each of these folks/groups did what they wanted without caring what others thought.
And think about this for a moment or two (I don’t want to strain that big brain of yours too much): as shaky as world peace has been over the past hundred or so years, lots of countries don’t invade other countries because they don’t want to incur the wrath of America. Now, we’re the ones doing the invading (twice over the past few years). At least with Iraq, we did so against the wishes of the UN. Other countries are now looking at us the way we looked at Iraq before invading.
Tell me, dave (oops, he’s gone. I’ll just pretend he’s reading), what would you do if the country with the most nukes starts invading other countries for questionable purposes? Would you be scared? It’s fine and dandy to sit back and say “fuck ‘em” when you’re in the US. Folks outside the US don’t have that luxury. They’re wondering if we’re going to make up an excuse to invade them next.
I guess it’s worth mentioning I’m a Republican. I’m not a Bush-flavored Republican, but I’m a registered Republican living in the mega-conservative state of Utah. I used to sound like you about 10 years ago. After I started reading/listening to BOTH sides of every debate I saw that the hard line, Rush/Liddy/North/Hannity/O’Brien/whatever attitude toward liberals was extreme. For all the claims of being fair and balanced, it’s amazing how one sided today’s conservatives are.
Turn off the talk radio stuff for a while and read a book. Better yet, take a history course. Learn something. Then, maybe you’ll be able to start thinking for yourself.
Hey, be sweet! And don’t cry when Kerry wins the election, ‘kay?
brittney, just got back to your web site after my “I like bush comment”
I am glad you like my name, I don’t know if I am in love with the name brittney but your face is so cute, you could be called dog sh%t & I would still like it.
In my rebuttle I would like to say:
Point 1) every company in america is run by greedy basterds who don’t care weather we live or die as long as we make a profit, so your first point
“* Enron/Tyco/MCI/Xerox/etc.
* Halliburton’s no-b etc. ”
shows how nieve(sp) you are when it comes to the real world. Do you think they do things out of the goodness of thier heart? No they want money!! duh! get over it!
Most people confuse structure with oppression, especially young cute girls. Somebody has to decide what to do, and for me I would rather have a drunk hillbilly kick some terrorist ass, than listen to Kerry talk about how he wants to negotiate. If we stand down now Korea will have us pegged as an easy mark, and start pulling some sh9t. Since I am a man I know how men behave, and no one (korea, rich oil kids, etc.) will respect us as a nation if we suffer the worst attack on our soil in fifty years, (remember the world trade center) and do nothing like clinton did after the first attack! (the p3ssy!)
Hey Bart. The comment about Enron, Tyco and Haliburton that you cited above was made by eart, not me.
But Bart, baby, not only were you wrong about who said what, you also have a pretty wack view of international relations. By your own admission above, you say that since the US was attacked on its own soil by Al-Qaeda (you do know it was Al-Qaeda don’t you?) and Osama bin Laden that we have to be real men, like George Bush and not that pussy Clinton, and attack back. So we attack Iraq so that North Korea won’t fuck with us. The very North Korea who became a nuclear threat while Bush was in office bombing Iraq. And all of this is better than negotiating.
Excuse me, what?!
P.S. My initial post wasn’t meant to start a serious political discussion. It was meant to be funny.
I guess it wasn’t.
Dear Bart,
I was wondering if you could clarify a few statements.
What exactly do you mean when you write: “Most people confuse structure with oppression, especially young cute girls.”
and again when you say: “Since I am a man I know how men behave.”
Thank you,
Damn, Bart, you’re making new friends all over the place!
As Brittney said, the comment about Enron, Halliburton, et al came from me, not her.
I do find your insinuation about the “greedy basterds[sic]” interesting. There’s a Grand Canyon sized chasm of difference between greed and wanting profitability. All business do what they do to make money. Even Ben & Jerry’s - one of the most philanthropic, environmentally friendly corporations on the planet - wants to make money. Nobody would argue against that. However, companies like Enron - who screw employees who have worked faithfully for 30+ years and are about to retire - are turds. Peoples’ lives have been ruined just because they were loyal enough to stick with the company through thick and thin. Sure, some of the leaders of the company are going to jail, but when they get out there are still millions of dollars waiting for them that the government will never take back. Would you go to jail for a few years knowing that you’ll be a millionaire many times over and never have another worry after you get out? I’m betting you would. Meanwhile, lots of employees are probably facing homelessness instead of a cushy retirement.
You say “get over it.” Nope, ain’t gonna.
Feel a bit jaded, do we? I guess you haven’t worked for many good companies, otherwise you’d know how silly that comment of your sounds. Corporations are not greedy by nature. Individuals within organizations can be, but I believe they’re the exception, not the rule. Look at Ben & Jerry’s, for example. Tell me one shitty thing they’ve done. They’re major, baby… Then there’s
Then, look at a non-corporation like The United Way. Before moving to Utah I lived in Alexandria, VA a block away from their headquarters. Not long before I left, it was discovered that the main dude running the organization was living high on the hog with charitable donations, being trucked around in limos, even putting up his 14 year old chippie in hotels whenever he wanted to get a bit on the side (he was in his 60s, I believe).
Wow, talk about needing to preview before posting a message… Everything after “Nope, ain’t gonna” should have been edited out.
Whatever…
Hi Bart - I’m a 34-year-old man, so I have a pretty good idea of how I think. I’m not so sure how other men think since they don’t seem to fit into generalities very well. And, I’m afraid I’ve rarely been able to determine how cute young girls think. You must be ahead of me. Good for you.
Let me tell you what I think though. I think there is a real danger that terrorist are going to get a hold of nuclear materials. I thought (and now know) that there very little danger that Iraq would provide those materials. I figured they’d come from some of the former soviet republics or from Pakistan (or now unfortunately from Iran). I don’t think North Korea will give their nukes to terrorists. From what I can see they just want them for negotiation purposes. It’s tough to be sure because the leader of N. Korea is pretty insane, but that’s what it looks like to me.
I think that if terrorist get a hold of nuclear materials, they’ll use them against Israel or against the US. If they use them against the US, I think they’ll send them hear via boat in shipping containers. They couldn’t put them on a missile that could hit the US, and truthfully, they wouldn’t need a missile to hit the US anyway.
For that reason, I think that if President Bush was concerned about nuclear proliferation, he should have worked to dispose of nuclear materials in the former soviet republics. He hasn’t done that. I also think that he should have started checking all the shipping containers that come into our ports. He didn’t do that in the first couple years after 9/11, and he’s only now just starting to do it, and hasn’t funded it enough. It’s cheap and easy to do, but he hasn’t. He is working on missile defense which is not cheap and not easy to do and not very smart if you figure that the bulk of nuclear danger right now won’t come riding in on a missile.
Now, I said that I didn’t think Iraq had nuclear materials, and I doubted that the chemical stuff we knew he had was still viable. We now know that I was right to think that way, Bush (and Kerry too) say they thought that Iraq was a nuclear threat and that justified the war. Giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming he really did believe that and wasn’t cynically lying to the American public to drum up support for a questionably motivated war, I have to wonder why we didn’t assign any troops to guard against the ammo dumps in Iraq when we went in, and we didn’t assign any troops to guard the boarders to make sure questionable elements weren’t coming in and out of the country at will.
After all, if Iraq did have weapons of mass destruction, and the goal of going into Iraq was to ensure that terrorists couldn’t get them, invading Iraq, introducing a high degree of chaos and then leaving the places where those weapons would be stored, and the boarders where those weapons could be smuggled out of the country open and unguarded seems incredibly foolish to me. If Iraq was dangerous, Bush made it more dangerous. That’s not smart.
I think we need a president who will really protect us. President Bush says that he wants to protect us, but I haven’t seen anything in the past four years that would lead me to believe him. Bush is a weak leader who has weakened the US. We are more endangered now than we were when he took office. The debt is bigger. The government is bigger. Our reputation is lower. Basically, Bush has made us les
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