Bittersweet
With a trip to St. Louis followed by a trip to Washington, D.C., I've had little time to blog of late. But with the mid-term election over (mostly), I thought I should take a few minutes to do a quick recap. Perhaps I can do something more in-depth later.
First, it was interesting to be in D.C. on election night, sitting in the Irish pub of the hotel where Taryn and I stayed, watching election returns on CNN. Beside our table was a group of maybe a dozen people who had sheets of paper and were marking off the winners as they were announced and occasionally cheered when favorable returns were announced. It was fun to watch people watching the returns almost like people at a sports bar watch a game. I enjoyed my fish & chips and large glass of water while soaking in what started to feel like victory.
Fairly early in the evening it was clear that the Democrats would retake the House. I'm sure Republicans everywhere will be choking as they say the words, "Speaker Pelosi." I can't wait for Nancy Pelosi to become Speaker of the House so that perhaps some people in the Bush administration will start to be held accountable.
It looks like accountability is already being realized in the administration as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stepped down yesterday. Could Bush FINALLY be realizing that the Iraqi war is a disaster and that Rumsfeld never had a plan? Nah, probably just some Rovian political ploy, but good to see Rumsfeld gone anyway.
Next, it looks as though the Democrats will take the Senate as well. Now don't get me wrong, I'm no huge fan of the Democrats. With so many ideas in the world, I think it's ridiculous to have a two-party system. But in these last six years of absolute rule by Republicans, it's nice to see checks and balances again--at least to some degree.
My state of Virginia is the focus as to whether the Dems will have a majority in the Senate. Jim Webb currently leads incumbent racist thug George Allen by roughly 7,000 votes in a race that saw more than two million votes cast. I'm confident Webb will hold on to his lead and the Democrats will indeed have both houses of Congress.
As one who was very much against the arrogant Allen, I am happy to see him go. Buh-bye, George! Good luck with that presidential campaign in 2008.
But finally, I must say I am saddened to hear that the people of Virginia decided that it was a good idea to write discrimination into our constitution. The so-called "marriage amendment" passed by roughly 57 percent to 43 percent. But instead of bemoaning the loss, I say let's run with it. What is marriage, really? It's just permission from the state for two people to join in a union. It's a literal license to do something.
So I think we should discriminate in everything that requires a license. Want that fishing license? You're black? Sorry, no African Americans can have a fishing license. Want a business license and you're Hispanic? Nope We don't offer business licenses to Hispanics. Want a drivers license and aren't wearing a blue shirt? Well we only give driver's licenses to those who wear a blue shirt, sorry! See how fun this will be?
And besides that, won't it be fun when nonmarried straight couples have no rights? Oh no, after Tammy Sue voted "yes" to the "marriage amendment" she finds herself getting smacked around by her live-in boyfriend. Tammy Sue wants a restraining order because she thinks Joe Bob is going to kill her. Guess what Tammy Sue? The state doesn't recognize your "marriage-like" arrangement, so Joe Bob will just have to do bodily harm to you, and then if you survive you can have him arrested for assault. If you don't, well, too bad you voted "yes" on that marriage amendment.
What fun we can have in Virginia. Plus, I'm looking forward to spending lots and lots of taxpayer money as the Attorney General's office defends lawsuit after lawsuit that will inevitably be the result of this amendment passing. It's not like we need that money for schools or roads or libraries or parks.
Yes, it's a sad day in Virginia regarding the amendment, but I'm declaring victory for Jim Webb; I'm happy that Rummie is gone; and I'm glad to see some checks now in place on the Bush dictatorship.
First, it was interesting to be in D.C. on election night, sitting in the Irish pub of the hotel where Taryn and I stayed, watching election returns on CNN. Beside our table was a group of maybe a dozen people who had sheets of paper and were marking off the winners as they were announced and occasionally cheered when favorable returns were announced. It was fun to watch people watching the returns almost like people at a sports bar watch a game. I enjoyed my fish & chips and large glass of water while soaking in what started to feel like victory.
Fairly early in the evening it was clear that the Democrats would retake the House. I'm sure Republicans everywhere will be choking as they say the words, "Speaker Pelosi." I can't wait for Nancy Pelosi to become Speaker of the House so that perhaps some people in the Bush administration will start to be held accountable.
It looks like accountability is already being realized in the administration as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stepped down yesterday. Could Bush FINALLY be realizing that the Iraqi war is a disaster and that Rumsfeld never had a plan? Nah, probably just some Rovian political ploy, but good to see Rumsfeld gone anyway.
Next, it looks as though the Democrats will take the Senate as well. Now don't get me wrong, I'm no huge fan of the Democrats. With so many ideas in the world, I think it's ridiculous to have a two-party system. But in these last six years of absolute rule by Republicans, it's nice to see checks and balances again--at least to some degree.
My state of Virginia is the focus as to whether the Dems will have a majority in the Senate. Jim Webb currently leads incumbent racist thug George Allen by roughly 7,000 votes in a race that saw more than two million votes cast. I'm confident Webb will hold on to his lead and the Democrats will indeed have both houses of Congress.
As one who was very much against the arrogant Allen, I am happy to see him go. Buh-bye, George! Good luck with that presidential campaign in 2008.
But finally, I must say I am saddened to hear that the people of Virginia decided that it was a good idea to write discrimination into our constitution. The so-called "marriage amendment" passed by roughly 57 percent to 43 percent. But instead of bemoaning the loss, I say let's run with it. What is marriage, really? It's just permission from the state for two people to join in a union. It's a literal license to do something.
So I think we should discriminate in everything that requires a license. Want that fishing license? You're black? Sorry, no African Americans can have a fishing license. Want a business license and you're Hispanic? Nope We don't offer business licenses to Hispanics. Want a drivers license and aren't wearing a blue shirt? Well we only give driver's licenses to those who wear a blue shirt, sorry! See how fun this will be?
And besides that, won't it be fun when nonmarried straight couples have no rights? Oh no, after Tammy Sue voted "yes" to the "marriage amendment" she finds herself getting smacked around by her live-in boyfriend. Tammy Sue wants a restraining order because she thinks Joe Bob is going to kill her. Guess what Tammy Sue? The state doesn't recognize your "marriage-like" arrangement, so Joe Bob will just have to do bodily harm to you, and then if you survive you can have him arrested for assault. If you don't, well, too bad you voted "yes" on that marriage amendment.
What fun we can have in Virginia. Plus, I'm looking forward to spending lots and lots of taxpayer money as the Attorney General's office defends lawsuit after lawsuit that will inevitably be the result of this amendment passing. It's not like we need that money for schools or roads or libraries or parks.
Yes, it's a sad day in Virginia regarding the amendment, but I'm declaring victory for Jim Webb; I'm happy that Rummie is gone; and I'm glad to see some checks now in place on the Bush dictatorship.
posted by Tim W. Jackson | 8:38 AM
3 Comments:
Ok, I have to say, that I LOVED the blog.
The whole little rendition on Tammy Sue and Joe Bob was entertaining.
On a serious note though, the law is ridiculous and you will no doubt see many abuse issues.
Since you'll be losing money to quality education, paved roads, libraries, and parks...you may as well go out and buy a flannel shirt.
You're on your way to redneck country boy!!
Might as well go visit Jamestown again.
Perhaps I can bring back the grunge look with a small investment in some flannel! I did live in Seattle for a couple of years and Taryn was a big Pearl Jam fan. Or maybe just a John Deere hat and some Skoal would do the trick? We'll see.
Woohoo! Allen concedes! Virginia made at least one informed decision...
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