Rick Warren Invocation

December 22, 2008 at 2:08 pm · Filed under Politics ·Tagged ,

I don’t see how someone could be gay or lesbian and not be offended by President-elect Obama’s choice of virulent anti-gay evangelical Rick Warren to give his invocation at his inauguration. I think that there would be a number of better people for him to choose that would not reinforce the notion that homos are non-entities to the Obama administration.

Am I surprised by it? No. It’s a brilliant strategic move politically and Barack Obama is a politician. In fact, he’s an absolutely brilliant politician. He’s going to do the things that will give him more political power at very little expense to himself. This is why he’s willing to give us shoutouts in his acceptance speech which make us homos feel toasty inside but carry little political baggage, but wouldn’t forcefully denounce the Yes on 8’s campaign, even when they used his image in their campaign mailers to remove rights from California citizens – that would be too risky politically with an uncertain benefit to him.

I don’t believe that homos are going to directly benefit from an Obama administration, except where it’s politically convenient or beneficial for us. Will we indirectly benefit? Absolutely – I don’t think he’s going to actively set us back like the Republicans would have. But I also don’t think he’s going to move us forward either, he’s not going to spend political capital on our issues, unless it was a plus for him politically.

Maybe we’ll get some indirect benefit from the Warren invocation crap in the form of being able to get ENDA passed or DADT repealed. I don’t see much hope for a complete DOMA repeal until his second administration, if at all. We’ll also indirectly benefit from a gay friendlier administration and judicial appointments. Maybe in the end we’ll actually have some net pluses out of an Obama administration, because it’s definitely possible if there’s a positive for Obama in there.

In summary, I’m happy for the indirect benefits that a Democratic administration will bring and when it comes to actual policy, I don’t think that we’ll move backwards over the next four or eight years. But forwards? I’m not holding out hope. Reality is that hope/change only exists within the world of politics and the art of the possible.

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Bitter h8

June 10, 2008 at 10:20 am · Filed under Politics ·Tagged

The people who post on No Quarter, both the blogs and the comments, are part of the worst of the human condition.  After reading through this post, I decided to post a comment.  I know, I know, I’m a glutton for punishment.

Wow… I’m so glad that Hillary has the strength not to just wallow in her own angst and self-pity. A lot of the people who post here would do well to follow her example. Your hysterics are very embarrassing and, quite frankly, sad to see.

The primary season was hard fought. It was not stolen. She did an admirable job. She also made some pretty self-inflicted strategic mistakes. The party voted for Obama, just as it did for Kerry before, and Gore before that.

If you want to vote for McCain because you didn’t get your desired outcome in a fair fight, that’s fine, that’s your right. If you feel the need to become a Republican for that reason, I’m sure you’ll feel right at home with the Religious Right who have abandoned McCain because of an irrational idealogical litmus test.

Hillary has stepped up and shown herself a leader, willing to put aside her own personal ambitions for the sake of strong Democratic Party and a stronger America. I commend her and all that are standing with our party, our nominee, and the hope that, along with our nominee, America wins in this election. She understands what’s at stake and I can only hope that you at some point will as well.

Best of luck to all of us.

To quote John Stewart, they’re “hurting America.”  I understand their passion, but the way they’re using it for evil makes me bitter an cynical.  It’s like Nader, redux.

P.S> I don’t see how equating McCain with Clinton, as they are suggesting by voting for the Republican nominee, actually helps their cause.  Not that I should be thinking anything they’re doing makes sense, but damn.  Not the flag to try and rally people around.

P.P.S> Usually I don’t do this sort of thing (I don’t post on Kos or Redstate for instance), but as a former Hillary supporter who switched, maybe I thought I could change a mind or two. To quote my roomie: “I think the conduct of former skeptics now for obama in these kinds of conversations could have a marginal impact.”

Here’s to hoping. :)  

P.P.P.S> Assholes with conspiracy theories are some of the worst.  I had to remove myself and rejoin the reality based community.

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Switcher

April 6, 2008 at 6:21 pm · Filed under Politics ·Tagged , ,

This may come as a shock to most of you, but I currently wish for Barack Obama to win the Democratic primary for three reasons in particular:

1) Obama’s economics speech at Cooper Union – This speech made all the wonky areas of my brain light up like Christmas. On top of that, I agreed with what he was saying.

2) Hillary’s sniper fire bullshit – This never should’ve happened because she knows better. “Misspoke” my ass. If getting kissed by little kids counts as sniper fire, then she got a frakload of experience as first lady.

3) Obama’s teflon exterior – Rev Wright happened and in the end, it not only didn’t hurt him it seemed to give him another sanctimonious platform and a boost to his polls. Americans love him like they love Reagan for reasons I still don’t understand.

Please note that this is not what I would deem support and I really would hate for it to be taken as an endorsement, but I do think that he’s the best chance for the Dems to win the Presidency at this time and I don’t think he’d fuck it up too badly should he gain the office. I still believe any of the top three candidates would be better than the current occupant.

Also, I believe Reagan will be on the money one day. In addition, politics are ludicrous and asinine and there’s a very great possibility that I am an idiot.

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Primary Fatigue

March 25, 2008 at 11:29 am · Filed under Politics ·Tagged ,

I’m suffering from primary fatigue. At this point, I want Obama to just be crowned because if he’s not, his supporters will be insufferable – more so than they are now. Maybe he’ll win and maybe he’ll be a good president and if both those things are true I’ll feel very relieved.

If he doesn’t win, then my fears about him being able to fight and win will have been justified (it’s all on him if he loses) and we get President McCain and my preferred candidate can attempt to win the nomination again when she feels it’s time.

At the very least, all the candidates from the two main political parties are a step up from the current occupant. Not ideal, but a step above.

To quote a commenter on the SLOG, this all feels like it should be a lot more fun and exciting than it’s turned out to be and I’m just ready for it to be over.

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On Obama

March 15, 2008 at 4:40 pm · Filed under Politics ·Tagged ,

Obama doesn’t fight for himself, he lets his surrogates and supporters do it for him. That way he can pretend he’s above the fray while getting his message across.

And then, when that support becomes inconvenient, he says some platitudes, gets rid of the surrogate, and all is forgiven. He did it with McClurkin, he’s done it with his pastor, wink-wink/nudge-nudge/hope-change, and there he is above all the noisy rabble, just waiting to be anointed.

Hypocritical and straight from the Rovian playbook. Great job Mr. Obama.

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On Seattle

January 31, 2008 at 3:52 pm · Filed under Seattle ·Tagged

“I think if Seattle were a person it would be an asian baby gangster and it would drive a cute little purple honda with a really big spoiler and one of those silly tail pipes that sounds like a playground full of children farting.”

-Queen_of_Sleaze via SLOG

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Football

January 10, 2008 at 9:22 pm · Filed under Culture, Seattle ·Tagged , ,

Dear University of Washington football fans,

You people are fucking crazy. What sort of whack job holds law school money hostage over football?

My mind boggles.

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Congratulations Hillary!

January 8, 2008 at 9:48 pm · Filed under Politics ·Tagged , ,

Congratulations on winning New Hampshire, Mrs. Clinton. I hope you can keep your momentum all the way to the White House!

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Dear EA, from a Fan of SimCity

November 29, 2007 at 12:44 pm · Filed under Games ·Tagged , , , ,

Dear EA,

I really wish I was writing this to Maxis, but both you and I know that Maxis is nothing more than a rapidly fading brand, with the real talent working in the Sims division now. Not that they’re doing bad work mind you, just that I notice the Maxis label disappearing. Add to that Will Wright being off in his own studio developing Spore, a title that also appears to be missing the word Maxis. My guess is that in five or ten years or so, after everyone’s completely forgotten about Maxis, you’ll probably start slapping “Maxis” all over various things that have some sort of Sim component to them and you’ll be branded as original and edgy, and it’ll be great PR. With that said, without you Maxis would probably not even exist today the way they were heading, and they would’ve been snapped up and used as a mask the same way that Infogrames did with Atari. In some ways, I think that’s a worse fate.

The reason I wish I was talking to Maxis right now though is because if it were truly Maxis, I wouldn’t be needing to write this. What I’m here to ask about is when we’re going to get a new SimCity game, the flagship Maxis product. Yes yes, I know there’s something out there you’re calling SimCity Societies which has absolutely nothing to do with the series, which is why I’m talking about a getting a REAL SimCity game in my hands again. Do you really think Maxis would let their flagship product go nearly 5 years without a new version?

I love SimCity. Much like my relationship with the Civilization series, I started playing SimCity in High School and was completely and totally hooked. I bought SimCity 2000, 3000, and 4 the day they were released. I grew up with this series, I’ve watched it evolve into something truly incredible… for 2003. Since then you’ve let it stagnate. I’ve kept waiting and waiting and waiting… you release a cutsie version for the DS based on 3000, but I’m still waiting for the real thing.

Finally, there comes an annoucement – new SimCity title! And then I learn it’s Societies and, yes, it felt a bit like a betrayal. As I said, that’s not a SimCity game and it’s not what I want. Because it’s not what I want, I’ll exercise my vote as a consumer – I’m not going to buy it. Besides, why reward your bad behavior?

Look, I know I’m a hardcore fan. But you obviously know there are lots of us out there. We’re the people who’ve continued to modify and expand the last version of the game through sites like SimTropolis and it’s STEX. Hell, at this point, I’d take SimCity 4 with a tuneup and the top addons from the STEX integrated in.

But I shouldn’t have to.

Look EA, it’s time you made another REAL SimCity game. I know that Will Wright has said that the game has become too complicated for the beggining user and that’s understandable because SimCity 4 was complicated. But your team is a master of great UI – why not create a tiered system of controls and automata? Those who are starting out will have the background stuff taken care of for them and less options on the screen, but those who already understand the underlying mechanics can tweak it to their heart’s content. Create a great tutorial system to show off the power of the game. And as we all know, directly from both SimCity and the Sims, if you build into the game a way for people to create their own addons to expand the game even further the community will do it.

Give us a new SimCity game EA. Make it good and people will buy it and you will make money. In your heart of hearts, isn’t that what really matters? What are you waiting for?

Thank you,
A SimCity Fan

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Questions We’d Like to See Posed to the GOP Candidates

November 29, 2007 at 11:32 am · Filed under Politics ·Tagged , , ,

(Snagged from Balloon Juice via SLOG)

1.) “Would you have sex with a man to stop a terrorist attack?”
2.) “If lowering taxes results in increased revenues then would lowering taxes to zero result in infinite revenues?”
3.) “If you had a time machine, would you travel back in time and abort Bin Laden?”
4.) “Would you torture and kill Jesus to ensure mankind’s salvation? And how does that work?”
5.) “If Russia entered Turkey from the rear would Greece help?”
6.) For Rudy specifically: “How many alimony checks does the sanctity of marriage cost?”

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Ken Hutcherson

November 14, 2007 at 12:14 am · Filed under Culture, Politics, Seattle ·Tagged , , , ,

Reading the “Notes from the Prayer Warrior” on Slog is a love/hate thing for me because Hutchy is one of those local scumbags (Tim Eyman being another) who makes me go all Mrs. White with rage.

Also – preserving the morals the country was founded on… like slavery?

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Economics

November 6, 2007 at 11:03 am · Filed under Politics ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

There’s nothing quite like going to Canada and feeling poorer. I was in Victoria, BC this past weekend and when I gave a moneychanger $80, she gave me $72 back. Ouch!

Imagine my “amusement” then when I read about Jay-Z flashing 500 Euro notes.

Kinda crazy what you can do the economy in 7 years isn’t it? I can only hope we get a Democrat in the White House – at least they know how to manage money.

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Transit and Roads (Prop 1/RTID)

October 15, 2007 at 11:58 pm · Filed under Seattle, Transportation ·Tagged , , ,

Note: I posted this in the Slog.

Cressona gets a little hyperactive at times, but I could easily find myself in the same boat. Quite frankly, I agree with her on this issue and I applaud her for the effort she puts into it. To me, this vote is a bellweather about what direction Seattle wants to take. If it’s voted down, I plan on moving to a city that has been brave enough to make the right choice. A city like Chicago. Or maybe San Francisco. And, in the process, I’ll leave Seattle to the people like Will because I know that’s not a Seattle that I want to be in.

The reality of the situation is that both packages fail on their own separately, but they pass when combined. That’s compromise, that’s why the legislature slapped it together that way. The legislature is saying that time for the swimming lessons is over – it’s time to sink or swim.

This is our region’s best chance to work together to make something great happen for all of us. I like the idea of being able to get on a train on Capitol Hill and be able to get to Tacoma. Or be able to come back and not have to get off until I’m in the U District. Or that someone in Everett could do the same trip if they wanted without ever being on a road. The fact that these communities (and the Eastside) want to work together with Seattle for the good of the whole is quite frankly amazing. It’s forward thinking and it recognizes that shared regional community and coming together for common goals. Will’s lesser Seattle fantasy (ie, “fuck Tacoma for being founded, they deserve it”) quite frankly scares the shit outta me. The region as a whole is growing and we have a chance to set it, as a region, on a better course. Ron Sims isn’t thinking regionally, he’s thinking county locally. Will’s lesser Seattle mindset says “‘burbs having rail is sacrilege.” Have you seen the growth in Bellevue? They’re moving beyond their Kemper Freemans and are doing growth right. We joke about the snotty rich, but the Mercer Island folk are willing to give up their SOV in HOV access for light rail to work on I-90. The cities in this region are willing to do this in order for our region to grow succesfully. This package is about numerous intricate layers of compromise to reach a regional solution.

The roads package doesn’t bother me. In my opinion we’re making needed infrastructure improvements. I hate cross base highway, but I’m not a single issue voter. We’ve settled presidential elections via litigation, so I have a hunch that cross base won’t survive the onslaught it’ll have going it’s way if somebody decides to actually try to make the thing. Oh, and I’ve got nuttin’ against park and ride lots either if it encourages transit use.

All of that is why I’m voting yes. This transit package is NOW kiddies. Not tomorrow.

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KanYe West : Graduation

September 21, 2007 at 1:28 pm · Filed under Music ·Tagged

I’ve always enjoyed KanYe and Graduation is one of those albums that you either love (cuz of KanYe) or you hate (cuz of KanYe). The man has talent and he knows it, but his “My head is so big/You can’t sit behind me” ego can definitely get grating at times. The album’s incessant self-ego boosting simply demonstrates his insecurity underneath it all and I long for the day when Ye is secure enough in his greatness that his music can speak for itself.

Just so everyone knows, I don’t really dislike any song on the album, but I’m not going to call them all out – just the ones that I feel a particular need to comment on.

Note: I’m a pure pop junkie who’s fave band is the Pet Shop Boys, but I’ve got love for everything. If it moves me, I’m there.

I first got swallowed up by Stronger. The fusion of Daft Punk plus KanYe, makes for some incredible brain hooks… this song holds on and doesn’t let go. The video just adds to the wonder – it’s all sleek, strong, and the strong Akira references add an entirely new dimension to the song. It’s like crack.

(KanYe, we all know the blonde dyke is Ellen. Stop frontin’! ;) )

If you can listen to Good Life and not come away from this song feelin’ it, I feel for you. Not quite crack, but close. Very nice, very summer-y groove.

Can’t Tell Me Nothing is hard, really hard, and very much a big fuck you song. Resonates with anyone who grew up under the Money = Success banner, who don’t like that game but recognizes it exists and uses that to his advantage.

Barry Bonds blows my mind, the references, lyrics, the beats, and KanYe rocks it. It’d be one of my favorites for sure if I didn’t hate the way Lil’ Wayne’s voice sounds… his rhymes rock, but h8 for his insect-y scratchy voice.

The “what the fuck was he thinking” track is just… well damn, the title speaks for itself. Drunk and Hot Girls is kinda amusing, but mostly lame and too boring to support its length. And, honestly, when I first heard it I thought to myself “if I were a boyband from the 90s trying to make a comeback, I’d make a song like this.” Not that I don’t dig on the boy bands (see my note above), but it’s a song that makes you feel dirty for any bit of enjoyment you can manage to wring outta it. ‘Nuff said.

There’s one track on this album that reaches down inside of you and touches your soul: Everything I Am. Wow, KanYe is real on this track, up close and personal real, allowing you to see his true fragility underneath the ego armor. Its the one that moves your heart, that makes you feel and understand what, and who, KanYe really is.

The premise of Big Brother is basically KanYe saying “I love you Jay, you’re my idol, I praise you by being so completely awesome myself, please validate me!”

Overall, good album. It’s got great beats and some really amazing tracks and has been playing non-stop on my iPod since I got it. Much<3 to KanYe… can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

P .S> The album art gets a thumbs up all its own.

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