"I Hope You Have a Good Time,"
My mother remarks, on the eve of my trek out to Nevada to assist with the McCain-Palin campaign. "I'm afraid I can't quite wish you . . . success."
"Understood," I respond. "Let's just say I'll try to have a good time, and I'll stay safe."
"There was a time . . . I might have considered voting for McCain."
"Oh, really?" I remark, trying to control my shock. RINO or no (and some call me a RINO—it's all in how we order our priority lists), the man does have that evil letter after his name.
"But then he appointed that . . . that woman," she concludes.
"So you're one of those people, then? The ones I thought didn't really exist? You were open to McCain, but were turned off by the Palin pick?"
"Oh, yes," she tells me. "I can't see how anyone who supported Hillary can possibly want that woman in the White House."
"There are plenty of them, though," I point out. "There's even a name for them—women, and some men, who were so disgusted at what they perceived to be sexism in the Obama campaign [see how delicately I phrased it?--ed.] that they are actively campaigning for McCain. I'm really curious as to why you dislike her so; we'll have to talk once I get back into town."
"Sure, Honey," she tells me. "And you have a good time."
I always have a good time knocking on doors to try to get people to the polls . . . But I pulled it off four years ago (me, just me—it was my efforts that made the difference), and it'll happen again this year.
After we hang up it occurs to me that my mother and I are our opposite numbers: she considered McCain a possibility until he brought "that unqualified woman" on board. I was going to drag myself to the polls and pull the lever for the good Senator until he tapped Palin to be his Veep.
Granted, I already knew Palin, since I'm a minor-league energy blogger, but the main difference as I see it is . . . the good old mainstream media. I get absolutely no data from them (though I do try to keep tabs on what they are doing, of course).
My mother gets information from nowhere else. And she doesn't even have cable TV—it's all broadcast news, all the time.
She enjoys, furthermore, no internet access, because every time I show her how to web-surf and check her mail she nods brightly, and then renews her phobia once I leave the house. Then she assures me a few months later that she's forgotten how to do either of those two things, and it is my fault that this has occurred. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Because of my media skepticism, she seems to regard me as the informational equivalent of Randy Weaver: cut off from reality. Suspicious. Seeing black helicopters buzzing around this Presidential campaign.
And I apparently ruined the career of that nice Dan Rather man, for no reason other than vague suspicions and partisan malice.
Of course, someone raised me to be an iconoclast. Someone mentioned that one ought to question authority every now and then. And it wasn't the Great Pumpkin, either.
Posted by: Attila Girl at
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1
Boy -- do I ever feel a kinship with you on this one. My elderly Mom is much the same way -- addicted to the MSM and terrified of computers.
Even so, she's so disgusted with this election-cycle that she's decided not to vote. This is mitigated by the fact that she lives in CA so there's no chance of her vote making a difference -- one way or the other.
Posted by: deMontjoie at October 27, 2008 04:06 PM (D4bPm)
2
Vote no matter where you live, no matter what you have heard. It does make a difference. Early voting is running about even.
Posted by: Darrell at October 27, 2008 07:40 PM (kLdMF)
3
What too many people don’t understand is that MSM is controlled by members of at least three groups (or organizations) that have a common goal of controlling the population of this place we call Earth and making us slaves to serve those who consider themselves the “Elitiists”. Investigate the Council on Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Commission, and the Bilderberg Group. They all have the goal of creating a One World Government, sometimes called the New World Order.
Posted by: Don at October 28, 2008 06:25 AM (o+IoV)
4
But where do the Masons tie in? And why is everyone so hooked on good brickwork?
Posted by: Attila Girl at October 28, 2008 07:39 AM (TpmQk)
5
It is not just your mother, Bush is so upset with MCcain he is ready to endorse Obama. Can anyone answer why so many republicans have endorsed Obama?
Posted by: Azmat Hussain at October 28, 2008 08:04 AM (ZVMDn)
6
Can anyone answer why so many republicans have endorsed Obama?
Because they want to be invited to all the
good parties, or at least get fed the bread crumbs from their master's table?
Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie at October 28, 2008 11:04 AM (1hM1d)
7
I R A, that would be assuming he won already? Is that what you think? Or are you saying that win or lose Obama throws a better party? And that he is a Master party thrower.
Posted by: Azmat Hussain at October 28, 2008 11:47 AM (ZVMDn)
8
They are people of little Faith. And less intellect. Kind of like you, Azmat. Not everyone likes sucking from the cock of Socialism.
Posted by: Darrell at October 28, 2008 03:42 PM (7Bi9U)
9
But I have a song and everything!
You have to look beyond that wealth redistribution part--that's just the enlistment bonus, the part they think that those that consider themselves the 'have-nots' can't resist. Of course, your real share of all the accumulated wealth in the world would only be a few thousands dollars if it were all divvied up equally amongst the six billion people on Earth, if that, and obviously you would destroy all means to generate future wealth, at least on the same level. But I suggest that all really look at the whole package that Bill Ayers and friends have laid out in their assorted writings. It is about total, iron-fisted control of every aspect of your life. Including when that life begins and when it ends. These aren't the benevolent harmless socialists that just want to throw a few fish into hungry peoples' stomachs. These are the scary kind (big 'S') that should actually carry a printed warning on their foreheads.
Posted by: Darrell at October 29, 2008 11:31 AM (g2Mzx)
10
Darrell, we end up sharing our wealth anyway, look whatever I make aside from a just a little bit for clothing food and shelter the rest goes to someone else, charity, taxes, my family, friends, Atilla's drinks,gambling, price gouging oil companies, insurance etc. It does not stop me from generating more wealth. If anything I wish I had more to give away to you and everyone else (that is if you make less then me which I doubt). Now as far as the control issue is concerned, I think that nobody could control me even if they tried, you buy into the control of the government that is why you are scared of it. I believe that government would like to control, but it is beyond their power.
Please don't even dare to argue that I have a choice about where my money goes because I don't, it just goes.
I am sorry I upset you, please forgive me.
Posted by: Azmat Hussain at October 29, 2008 02:24 PM (ZVMDn)
11
Darrell; I don't know where you live or what you do but here in Indiana and Minnesota where I have lived for the last eight years I have seen my income taxes go up every year. My property taxes doubled last year from $2400 to $4800 the reason given was that the funds for local and state have been dried up due to federal cuts.
Notice that Bush is not showing up at McCain rallies, if he had done a good job for the economy certainly McCain could use his support instead of going to Larry King.
There is a saying in my language that manners and culture cannot be taught. But I disagree, I think it starts with acknowledgment, the fact that you are so bold and persuasive in your arguments and very articulate in your thoughts tells me that you have had good teachers. Last I checked my economics text, services like teachers, lawyers and doctors are part of the GDP, and National Income.
I can't compare to Clinton years because I did not live here, but judging by the crowds that he is drawing McCain is wishing he was in that camp.
And lastly Darrell, as far as contribution is concerned I am clear about what I do, I have students who have gone on to become engineers, lawyers, doctors and yes even oil company executives. You are correct in stating that my pay check comes from the public fund, but what services I provide cannot ever be measured in terms of the amount I receive.
Posted by: Azmat Hussain at October 30, 2008 07:18 AM (ZVMDn)
12
The locals always blame the Federal Gov't for their problems, even when the Federal payouts increase. In Chicago, where I live, property/local taxes are always increasing. They have been borrowing for years on all the pension accounts and now the chickens have come home to roost. That happens when you have all those brother-in-laws on the payroll and other people who merely have to swipe their ID cards at local fire stations to "punch in" in the morning, rather than have to bother to show up for work.
I do ask myself if I am better off in the last two years since the Democrats have assumed power, now having absolute control in the House and the Senate. The answer is, of course, hell no. Can't blame the people for not making the connection, though--you need a real Press for that.
I have a quiz for you, Azmat. Who said
"We are socialists, we are enemies of today's capitalistic economic system for the exploitation of the economically weak, with its unfair salaries, with its unseemly evaluation of a human being according to wealth and property instead of responsibility and performance, and we are all determined to destroy this system under all conditions."
Is it 1)Barack Obama? 2)Hillary Clinton? 3)Bill Ayers? 4)Nancy Pelosi or 5) Adolf Hiltler? Answer below.
***************
5)Adolf Hitler. Only Hitler and Ayers admit who they really are, the rest use 'code words' like progressive, Democrat, liberal, etc. I'm sure Bill Ayers has said it too, but he didn't say it first and he identified himself as a 'small c' communist when doing so. You get partial credit with every answer because all support the statement.
Have a great day in Canada!
Posted by: Darrell at October 30, 2008 01:14 PM (BDJiV)
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