Disqus - Friends of malletgirl02

Re: In Case You Were Wondering

Jeff Fecke — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:59:26 -0000

The fact is that if polling is to be believed, fewer Clinton supporters are going to vote against Obama than Huckabee/Paul/9iu11ani supporters. And that to me shows that people have their priorities straight: ex-Clinton supporters are by-and-large willing to hold their noses and support Obama -- and yes, Roe is a factor, as is health care, as are a number of other factors.

But as somebody who would like to see the Democrats win in the fall, I don't want Clinton supporters to feel that they're holding their noses, because while they're holding their noses their hands aren't free to do anything else. I'd like ex-Clinton supporters to actually feel like Barack Obama is a good candidate, like he will be a good advocate for that what he believes in. And that means treating women voters like anything but "low-hanging fruit." It means doing exactly what Kate says -- making ex-Clinton voters feel welcome and wanted in their party. And yes, earning those votes back, not just expecting them to fall in line.

We're going to need all hands on deck this fall if we're going to win. We can't win if we're not united, if we don't just have grudging support for the ticket, but enthusiastic support. And we can't be united if half of us are not valued and respected. And if that happens...well, when we lose, it won't be the "bitter" Clinton voters who are at fault. It will be the Obama campaign and its supporters, who failed to do the right thing and reach out when they should have.

Re: In Case You Were Wondering

Jeff Fecke — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:39:31 -0000

And I'm fucking sick and tired of reading these stories and turning around and being told that I'm obligated to give enthusiastic support for members of a political party that will gladly pawn off my rights for votes. I probably will hold my nose and vote. But don't insult me by asking for my enthusiasm for a candidate who panders to "states rights" to avoid taking a stand for my rights.

I'm not asking for your enthusiasm, and never would. Enthusiasm has to be earned by good works from Obama and his supporters. I hope Obama can find a way to earn that enthusiasm from all Democrats, but it doesn't accrue to him just because McCain is worse than Obama on issue x or issue y. I happen to believe Obama has some taken some strong policy stands, even if he occasionally demonstrates the cluelessness of privilege on GLBTQ and feminist issues. And I'm willing to forgive a lapse of judgment or a missed signal (as in the Roberts deliberations) if someone is smart enough to listen to the counsel of his advisers (which Obama proved to be -- say what you will about the blinders he had on, and the reflexive instinct for High Broderism -- when the chips were down, Obama voted the right way).

But I can't argue with anyone who thinks Obama and the Democrats need to do more to prove that, especially to ex-Clinton supporters, because they -- and at the bare fucking minimum, they need to not assume that they've done enough.

Re: In Case You Were Wondering

Jeff Fecke — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:46:38 -0000

Sometimes it seems the only way to do that is to use the power of our vote to express our displeasure.

Third party votes are never wasted. While I myself would recommend those who can't vote for Obama vote instead for McKinney (as more votes for a progressive third-party candidates will be more obviously anti-Obama than more votes for Old Man Surge), it's your vote. Cast it in the way you feel will best advance and safeguard the issues you believe in, for ultimately, it's the only voice you've got.

Re: Question of the Day

Jeff Fecke — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:50:16 -0000

Sadly, it's "How Bizarre" by OMC, which identifies strongly a particularly good summer, the summer of 1997. Which was eleven fucking years ago.

I need a drink.

Re: What Say You?

Jeff Fecke — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:10:34 -0000

I don't know. I just honestly don't know. On the one hand, I agree with everyone that it seems cruel to separate them, but on the other hand, I don't know how one establishes consent. If Bob and Dorothy were mentally challenged and twenty-five, would we feel that they were being denied their rights? What if they were fifteen? Does it matter?

I don't know. This is a tough call. Were it my parent, I don't think I would interfere; I think that I'd reason that they deserved happiness in what time they had left. But I don't know as I can blame Bob's son for acting as he did, even as I think he made the wrong decision.

Re: Breaking News

Jeff Fecke — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:57:23 -0000

58 is way too young. RIP Timmeh.

Re: R. Kelly, Free

Jeff Fecke — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:00:34 -0000

How sad is it that I knew this was coming?

Yeah, I wish I could say I was shocked by the verdict, but I just pretty much sighed, and said, "Yeah, figures." I mean, it's not like they had him on videotape or anything. What? They did? Fuck.

Re: Patriot Games

Jeff Fecke — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 13:14:55 -0000

You know, I detest George Bush more than almost anyone I can think of, but he made a point to pad his inner circle with and give cabinet positions to women and people of color. Hughes, Powell, Gonzales, Rice, Gutierrez, Spelling -- those are just off the top of my head.

Oh, as much as I hate Bush, I don't think he's all that racist as Republicans go. But that doesn't matter-- he's a Republican, so to these idiots, he's on the side of good.

Re: May I Please Have Some GOD with Evolutionary Theory please?

Jeff Fecke — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:12:23 -0000

HE'S A CATHOLIC?????

He's more Catholic than the Pope. And given who the Pope is, that's quite an accomplishment.

Re: Question of the Day

Jeff Fecke — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:07:44 -0000

Jason Alexander. He's a bit short and a bit old, but he's precisely bald enough and does beaten-down schmoe to perfection.

Re: Gore Endorses Obama

Jeff Fecke — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:33:43 -0000

Is "Mrs Obama" the correct way to refer to Michelle Obama? And would we still refer to Senator Obama as "Senator Obama" or is it now Presidential Candidate Obama? Presidential Candidate Senator Obama? I'm not actually sure - I've never paid much attention during the elections Down South before.

Spouses of candidates are referred to by their proper honorific. I'm sure for political reasons Michelle Obama would go by "Mrs." ("Ms." is just too angry, you know. Sigh.) As of right now, you'd write to her as "Michelle Obama, esq.," as she's an attorney.

Barack Obama and John McCain remain senators, until one of them is elected President. While "President-Elect" is not officially a title, it's become an unofficial one over the past two decades or so, and Obama would be referred to as "President-Elect Obama" or "The President-Elect" until sworn in. At that time, Michelle Obama would become The Hon. Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America.

Incidentally, the rules are pretty clear that former Presidents are supposed to lose the title upon leaving office -- there is only ever one President at a time. Bill Clinton should properly be referred to as Gov. Clinton, George H.W. Bush as Ambassador Bush. But this has not been enforced for several decades.

Re: Obama Racism/Muslim/Unpatriotic/Scary Black Dude Watch, #58

Jeff Fecke — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:06:45 -0000

If Clinton had gotten the nomination, I think that pin would read: "If Hillary is president, will she replace the Washington Monument with two domes?"

Truthfully, that would be awesome. The Washington Monument is one of the less subtle monuments around.

I really hope that Obama wins and when he does wouldn't it be great to have Rage Against the Machine play "Down Rodeo" that would scare the hell out of all those racist bastards.

These people ain't seen a brown-skinned man since their grandparents bought one.

Re: Obama Racism/Muslim/Unpatriotic/Scary Black Dude Watch, #58

Jeff Fecke — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:08:16 -0000

"There were other pins that weren't necessarily conveying the positive, inclusive, united front that has been portrayed during the convention. One said, 'Press 1 for English. Press 2 for Deportation' and another, 'I will hold my nose when I vote for McCain.'"

Stay classy, GOP.

Re: Obama Racism/Muslim/Unpatriotic/Scary Black Dude Watch, #58

Jeff Fecke — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:36:49 -0000

According to my mom, Whoopi Goldberg said something similar on The View the other day. I don't know, I'm not a fan of the show, does anyone know for sure?

I don't know, but context matters. There's a huge difference between an African-American musing on this and white opponents of the candidate.

Re: Question of the Day

Jeff Fecke — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:41:39 -0000

Tina Turner

Hells yes. The moment I always remember about Tina Turner was a broadcast of one of the Divas Live shows on VH1. Cher -- who is a borderline genius, if not a full-fledged one -- was singing "Proud Mary," and Tina came out on stage. And as God is my witness, the camera caught Cher, and she was, for just a split-second, visibly nervous, because she was signing "Proud Mary" with Tina Turner and didn't want to screw it up. And to me, that showed just what a higher plane Turner was on.

Re: Best. Meme. Evah.

Jeff Fecke — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:23:38 -0000

I'm proud to say I watched that unfold in real-time. It was teh aw3sum.

Re: Shakesville: Just One Thing Wrong

Jeff Fecke — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 02:15:08 -0000

Bryant may be just a tad overrated as a ball player, and is, it's pretty evident, a shitty human being.

No kidding. Just remember, you and I have won the same number of NBA Championships without Shaq as Kobe has. And frankly, put me as a guard on a team with Shaq in his prime, and I could probably stay out of the way enough to win.

Re: Shakesville: Just One Thing Wrong

Jeff Fecke — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:19:12 -0000

funny, coming from a guy who looks like a child molester

At least I'm not a rapist.

Re: Mmm, This Meme Is Delicious

Jeff Fecke — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:16:06 -0000

Great, now I'm going to have "Chocolate Rain" stuck in my head all day.

Re: Why Taking the High Ground is Important

Jeff Fecke — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:12:22 -0000

Well spoke. It's not that Obama's wrong about Michelle -- he isn't -- but that he should have been doing this long ago, when it wasn't his wife's ox being gored. The misogyny and racism attaching to Michelle Obama are sickening, but Obama could have blunted half of that had he stood against it during the primary.

Re: Caption This Photo

Jeff Fecke — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:43:41 -0000

Doc, I know I need that prostate exam, but can we wait until after the speech?

Re: Meme! (Updated)

Jeff Fecke — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:45:20 -0000

Incidentally, for those following comments and not looking, the thread has been updated. Those complaining are right, this was ageist, and I have no excuse for it; I've pulled the image, and I apologize for posting it.

Re: Michelle Obama on The View

Jeff Fecke — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:53:04 -0000

Looks to me like Matthew Broderick's son is ready to be a frontpager on DKos.

He writes too coherently. Oops, did I say that out loud?

Re: Meme! (Retry)

Jeff Fecke — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:29:55 -0000

Daguerreotype typo fixed!

Re: Larry Sinclair Somehow Damages Credibility Further

Jeff Fecke — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:10:18 -0000

Jaime, it's just like the time John McCain and I went and killed ten thousand puppies just for fun. It happened in Tempe, Arizona, in 1995, and I remember that I didn't know John McCain was a senator, but the cabbie said, "Oh, you want to kill puppies? Let's call McCain."

It should be easy to show that story is false, so why don't you do that? And if you can't, why should we vote for a puppy-killer?

As for Larry Sinclair, he's failed a polygraph test and presented only very sketchy information about the whole affair, and given that he's a multiply-convicted felon and ex-con with a history of crimes based on deceit and con artistry...well, let's just say that his story is roughly as credible as mine is about McCain. Except, of course, that it also carries an undercurrent of homophobia.