Chris ([info]cptjohnc) wrote,
@ 2007-09-05 11:14:00
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Current music:alternating tracks from Stromkern and Wyclef Jean cause I'm like that

Boring and Random -- seems to be my mantra.
First day dropping off at school for the girls went smoothly -- out the door before 6:50, at school before 7:10. I'm thinking we won't be that early too often, but there definitely isn't as much traffic at that hour (as compared to leaving the house between 7:15 and 7:20 as is more normal... I wish I had taken a picture of the girls this morning -- don't know what I was thinking not doing so... Colette had an above-the-elbow glovelet on one arm, a men's tie and ... various other accoutrement. She more or less looks the part of a goth or punk or -- something -- catholic school girl. Odd for a girl who listens to musical theater and 60s music :-) I didn't pay attention to the makeup, but I'm sure it was subtly startling (unless there wasn't any -- she's not so into makeup.

Angel, OTOH was wearing her uniform, looking shiny and spiffy, with nothing more radical than a skull and crossbones scarf in her newly coiffed locks. I know she was wearing makeup, though it wasn't her usual zombie-waif look, I don't think. pretty much describes the difference between the girls. It's a good thing they get along, otherwise it might be war.

I know there were three or four other things I wanted to talk about... but damned if I can remember what they were. Early stages of dementia for me, I suspect...

Oh... stupid stuff: I am going to see the eye doctor this evening... it will be the first time in 5 years or so. Since I already pretty much know I'll need glasses, I'm going to be looking for suggestions as to frames... ones for work and ones for fun, perhaps. Any ideas gratefully appreciated (pictures would be helpful ;-))

Oh, and another sign of my aging self -- I couldn't resist these over the weekend...


not the usual me, I know, but I like them. By the way, if anyone ever wants someone to shoe shop with, I know some possible companions. I only realized how much I like shoes in the past year or so, but I'm not much of a buyer for myself. I'm 'style neutral' -- that is, I like all kinds. Others might be more particular. Hmmm... I should probably put more thoughts on this into a locked post, lest people get the wrong idea ;-)

Politics are weighing heavily on my mind lately -- I'm having trouble deciding whether I am looking forward to or dreading the upcoming election cycle. I know some of you are anxious for change -- I just don't believe there will be any, regardless of which party takes the white house... It doesn't help that we're a house divided in many ways. next year won't be fun at all, unless something really unforeseen happens.

Oh, listening to Wyclef makes me a little nostalgic for Haiti -- I almost sort of miss my time there; despite my frustration that we weren't doing any real good and I was just separated from my family for no good reason.


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[info]eight_cow_woman
2007-09-05 05:04 pm UTC (link)
You know, I am a political junkie, but I have my apprehensions about the upcoming elections as well. I do believe that if the party changes in the White House, there will be a change in focus and a lot of policy initiatives will change. However, I am not sure how much Washington will change for the better. It will be a good year for Dems, but Dems have their own internal conflicts as well.

The other thing that worries me about the election is that no matter who runs from either party there will be a lot of ups and downs. And I don't know if I am ready for the ferocity that the election will definitely take on. I can't imagine what kind of spin and punches will be thrown. It makes me kind of sick.

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[info]cptjohnc
2007-09-05 07:12 pm UTC (link)
I guess I'm thinking more globally -- sure, there will be lots of 'policy change' on paper, but in fundamentals I'm not convinced we'll see any real change. For example, will we see any meaningful immigration reform to fix what is a horribly broken system? will we see any real, lasting change in overall foreign policy direction, in terms of how the world views us? Will we see any real domestic policy reform aimed at significantly strengthening the domestic economy over the long term? We'll see lots of quick changes, aimed at 'fixing' perceived deficiencies, but I'm too cynical to believe that any of it will be meaningful, real reform.

And, of course, I'm confident that we'll see plenty of undoing merely for the sake of 'undoing', which will reverse whatever good the past 7 years has produced(if any).

The democrats have had the last two elections as 'theirs to lose' and they've done a remarkable job of losing -- I'm not convinced they're going to do any better this time around. I can hope, though.

No matter what, though, its going to be an ugly election, but I think we're all used to that. I guess I'd be happier if I felt there were any great options. Obama has potential, but we'll see how the primary season goes. Hilary? I don't think I trust her any more than I trust Bush -- different reasons, but still no trust (though I committed long ago to voting for any woman who wins the nomination this cycle...) I don't even have a sense of a decent republican candidate -- none of them are even interesting. And none of the third parties are looking even mediocre yet. Maybe its time to consider that move to another country -- Nah!

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[info]eight_cow_woman
2007-09-05 07:30 pm UTC (link)
Actually, I probably disagree with you about a lot of the changes. I think if Hillary or Obama win, there will be significant changes globally. The energy problem, environmental concerns, and the economic policies both in trade and domestic production and tax policy will change significantly. And our diplomacy and standing with other nations will have a much needed fresh start. And I disagree with you about Hillary, but I don't have any anti-Clinton taint. I liked them both a lot while he was President and I still like them a lot. I trust her a LOT more than I trust Bush, but I trust anyone but Dick Cheney a lot more than I trust Bush. I am a thread away from thinking Bush in an anti-christ though, so I might be more extreme than you on that.

As for immigration, I am not sure where you stand, but I think the panic over it is incredibly overrated and the increase in stopping it has only hurt us economically. I really don't buy the control the border argument. Terrorists would stick out just as much on one border as another, and we aren't in a panic to build a wall between us and Canada. I think most of the immigration "reform" drive is propelled by bigotry and xenophobia.

My problem is that I am not looking forward to the race or the slow climb it will be to fix what has happened over the last 7 years.

And as far as the elections went, I knew Bush would win in 2004. His people ran that campaign to get just the 50.1% that he needed. They wanted to be divisive and they were. And they got their base in a flurry over gay marriage and put it on all the right ballots in all the right states. As for the 2000 election- he didn't win it. He just stole it.

The Dems might blow this election, but all the candidates are risky. Hillary, Obama, Giuliani, Romney. Even Fred Thompson is risky and I don't get his appeal at all, but then republican good old boys have never done much for me.

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[info]cptjohnc
2007-09-05 08:22 pm UTC (link)
On immigration: I'm with you -- what we need is reform which permits more legal immigration without the enormous pricetag currently attached. We need the immigrants - -they're good for the US.

The anti is as you say, bigotry and hatred. (NOTE-- Bush was all about reform to make immigration easier.. it is one of the few things he stood for in the beginning that made sense (besides cutting taxes ;-)) My concern is that between the republican xenophobia and the dems trying to distance themselves from anything Bush ever stood for, we'll see more of the latest round of immigration stupidity.

stolen election... maybe... if you consider the authority of the supreme court to be illegitimate. Do you really think the court is 'cowed' by the Bush family? they've handed them their asses more than a few times... I'll never like the decision, or the situation that lead to it, but I can't really get on board with the 'stolen' idea -- political processes are imperfect... but getting through it without shooting means it was a success.

I'm glad you trust Hilary -- I wish I could. I thought Bill was okay, and a very effective chief exec. I could wish that he were a little bit more... something. He left bad tastes in a lots of military mouths, starting with the gays in the military thing, and on from there. I was sitting on the tarmac for three days waiting to go to Rwanda on a humanitarian relief mission, when we were told "no -- the administration is opposed to sending steely eyed baby killers..." And unfortunately, I see more of that with her than with him. OTOH -- I think she understands policy, is extremely smart, and capable. I'm just not sure she has enough humanity/ conscience to temper her 'idealism'.

Hopefully I'm way off base :-)

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