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Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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Watch for McCain
Current mood: Politically Pensive
If McCain wins Michigan...
He wins the Republican nomination,
Chooses a young, generally unknown/up-and-coming Christian conservative as his running mate,
And wins against any Democratic ticket.
I hope I'm wrong, but this ticket would both a Clinton/Clark ticket and an Obama/Richardson ticket. The only chance would be if the economy would content to tank. Obama might have a chance to win, and Clinton would have to work really hard to separate herself from the Democratic Leadership Council's Republican light economic policies in order to have a chance.
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Currently
listening
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Oh No
By
OK Go
Release date: 30 August, 2005
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4:34 PM
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6 Comments - 1 Kudos
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Friday, January 04, 2008
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The Michigan Democratic Party does not want to hear your voice.
Current mood:  irate
Several friends sent me this yesterday.
Voter Guide for the January 15, 2008 Michigan Democratic Presidential Primary from Michigan Democratic Party
Voters will vote at their regular polling places between 7 am and 8 pm
Voters can vote by absentee ballot if they meet one of the requirements - out of town, age 60 or older, disability, etc.
In order to vote at a polling place, a voter must show a photo ID or sign a statement that they do not have a photo ID with them. Absentee voters do not have to produce a photo ID.
Voters will be asked whether they want a Democratic or Republican ballot, and a record will be made of which ballot they take.
The voter's choice of candidate will be secret as in all public elections.
The Michigan Democratic ballot will have 6 choices
Hillary Clinton
Christopher Dodd
Mike Gravel
Dennis Kucinich
Uncommitted
Write-in
A vote for "uncommitted" is a vote to send delegates to the Democratic National Convention who are not committed or pledged to any candidate. Those delegates can vote for any candidate they choose at the Convention.
Supporters of Joe Biden, John Edwards, Barack Obama and Bill Richardson are urged to vote "uncommitted " instead of writing in their candidates' names because write-in votes for those candidates will not be counted.
What a bunch of bull. I always assumed that Write-in meant that you could write in any person you wanted, and that vote would count. Now the State Democratic Party has decided that some names will not count if they are written in. They are saying that I can't vote for Biden, Edwards, Obama, or Richardson, they have taken away my choice and my voice.
I sent this to one friend and he has withdrawn from the Democratic Party because of this. Why to go Lansing! I feel the same way. I will continue to support Democratic candidates (everyone should oppose the Dean recall petition), but it will be a while before I support the Democratic party again.
It's really too bad, after the Dogs and Suds fundraiser I was all pumped up. Now I could care less. Way to be the "Big Tent Party". Michigan politics needs a change, and I think voters are realizing that. Hopefully some progressive will stand up to the task, because Republicans will be running on a change platform in 2010. We'd all be in trouble if they took control of the state again.
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Currently
listening
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The Complete Hank Williams
By
Sr. Hank Williams
Release date: 22 September, 1998
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8:40 AM
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3 Comments - 5 Kudos
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Friday, November 02, 2007
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My Little Brother
Current mood: Proud
It's easy to forget that we are at war. I don't blame anyone, most Americans don't have any personal connections to what is happening in Iraq. I even get caught up in my job and personal life and get tired when another story about Iraq comes on NPR.
But my brother is fighting over in Iraq right now. He doesn't have very reliable access to email or the phone, so it's hard to get a real picture of what he is doing and what the conditions are like for him. My parents sent me this article that mentions him (he's Capt. Steve Hemmann).
http://www.blackanthem.com/News/Allies_20/Concerned-Local-Citizens-patrol-with-Soldiers-NP-in-Al-Ja-ara11241.shtml
Getting a sense of what he is doing from an outside source makes what he is going though more real to me. It seems that things are improving and aren't as dangerous as they were (at least where he is, it can still be bad, the company that shares the base with them had three men killed earlier this week).
So overall it sounds like he is doing the best he can to make a difference in a bad situation and help the Iraqi people realize that they are the only ones that can really help themselves. If you ever are lucky enough to meet him you wouldn't be surprised, he's an amazing person. I hope the best for him and that he comes home safely and soon.
7:20 AM
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Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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LaGrand/Kelly Debate
Current mood:  pleased
Last night I went to the debate between the two candidates for the Grand Rapids City Commission, 2nd Ward. It was mainly filled by supporters of Kelly and LaGrand. In fact, on the way out someone asked me if any undivided voters attended. There was at least one. I was hoping to get to know both canidates better and decide who to vote for.
They are both great people. I chatted with David on the way into the debate. Ruth came up to me and said hi after recognizing me from the Kent Dems fundraiser last week.
Although both are progressives, I agree with Ruth Kelly more on politics, but she seems a little dreamy and good feeling. I don't agree with some of what David LaGrand says (he is very religious, and after G.W. that makes me nervous), but I think he is more of a pragmatic candidate and is more likely to get things done. Both are active in the local community, Kelly for much longer, but LaGrand has done a lot in the time he has been active.
Most of my friends are supporting Kelly, and she has the support of the Progressive Woman's Alliance and Guy Bazzani, which means a lot. But LaGrand has the endorsements of County Commissioners that I like (especially Brandon Dillon) and union endorsements.
Last night LaGrand almost lost my vote. During his opening statements he said that he was being attacked by Kelly supporters in the press and implied that Kelly wasn't doing anything to stop it. I thought his statement that had a bad feel to it. But during the audience questions I can see how he would be upset. One Kelly supporter even called LaGrand's answer to a question "pandering". Come on, we're all Dems here.
So I'm still part of the undecided camp. But it's a good feeling. It seems like lately in American politics you have to choose the lesser of two evils, but here is a election where I like both candidates. No matter who wins I'll be happy with the results and Grand Rapids will be better off. So I may not make a decision until I enter the election booth on November 6 and I'm okay with that.
7:16 AM
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2 Comments - 4 Kudos
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Monday, October 15, 2007
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Rabbits
Today after work some of us went to DeVos Place. Right now the American Rabbit Breeders Association is having their big rabbit show there. This is pretty much the Westminster dog show for rabbits. It's the biggest rabbit show in the country. It moves around every year and it's in Grand Rapids this time.
It's free to get in, and everyone should check it out. You will probably never see anything like it again. First of all you can smell them way before you get into the exhibit hall. Then once you are inside you will find row upon row of rabbits, thousands of them. All different breeds and colors. They have the dog sized Flemish Giant and the very small minis. Colors from Red to Siamese to Chinchilla and just about anything you could think of. And hair from long Angoras to super soft Rexes.
Best of all, it's free to get in. I think it runs through Thursday when they will be anouncing the best in show.    
6:54 PM
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Wednesday, October 10, 2007
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Doing something good.
Current mood:  content
Tonight was a good night. I've never been one to go to fundraisers, but tonight I went to two of them.
The first was at my church, Fountain Street. It was for the Choice Fund, which provides financial aid to low income women seeking abortions. It was great. I feel very strongly about a woman's right to choose, just like I think the government should stay out of end of life decisions. But I admit, I went mainly because I miss my church. I haven't been able to go since I started working Sundays, and I missed being there and being a part of the community.
It was a little weird at first. I was the only single man there under the age of 60, and probably the only man under 40 period. But Fountain Street has some wonderful people. Susan saw I was alone, invited me to her table, and introduced me to some other people. I had dinner with Dolly, an amazing woman who lost her husband at 50, then went back to school and became a therapist. She was over 80, but I wouldn't have known if she wouldn't have told me. I also met Barritt, who was also of Czech decent. At 80 he won his age class for the top 25k cross-country ski tournament in the country. Like I said, there are wonderful people at Fountain Street.
But the fundraiser was definitely for a good cause. A friend told me that his girlfriend lives with someone who stands on the curb and councils women going into abortion clinics about their choices. Bullshit. I bet I know who pays her salary, pro-life religious zealots. All she is doing is trying to intimidate women who are exorcising their rights. I bet she uses pictures of aborted fetuses and that stupid picture of a fetus holding somebody's finger. Plus, like anyone who chooses to end a pregnancy hasn't already agonized over the decision already. Those of us on the side of good need to be active and support our beliefs. I'm glad I did so tonight.
The second fundraiser wasn't nearly as important (at least to me) but it was a lot of fun. It was for Share Your Soles and sponsored by the roller girls. I mainly went because I knew I had a lot on my mind and wouldn't be able to sleep. (one person knows why ;) It was at Billy's in town and Chance Jones played. That was the first time I'd seen them and they were awesome. They are instantly among my favorite local bands.
So this was one of the best nights I've had in a while. I'll have to do good more often.
9:19 PM
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Sunday, October 07, 2007
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Shirtless man at the zoo
Current mood:  curious
Oh shirtless man at the zoo. What is going through your mind? Did you decide to come to the zoo with your two small girls, get hot in the car, and remove your shirt? Did you think you would impress all the moms and grandmas with your mid-50's physique? Maybe you don't own any shirts, or had packed away all your summer clothes not expecting this warm spell. Do you think you looked tough with your blurring tattoos? Perhaps you just didn't think it inappropriate to go shirtless at a family place, what's good enough for mowing the lawn is good enough for the zoo. At least you weren't hairy.
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Currently
reading
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Timequake
By
Kurt Vonnegut
Release date: 1997
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2:41 PM
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Monday, September 17, 2007
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Muisical Surprise
Current mood:  impressed
It's great to find a new CD that knocks your socks off, it's even better if you find it without any expectations on how good it should be.
I was at the library looking for new music to listen to during my drive to St. Louis when I came across the Dixie Chicks' latest album Taking the Long Way.
I've heard old Dixie Chicks, who hasn't. They existed in a genre that I don't like, Radio Country (or pop country, or countrypolitin, or whatever else you want to call it). I knew they were better than most of the music on country stations, but they never really grabbed my attention. Besides, I'd rather listen to alt-country.
Anyway, like I said, I saw Taking the Long Way at the library and decided to give it a try. I knew from NPR that this album was supposed to be a big F-U to the people who tried to end their careers after they criticized George W. I figured that it would be interesting to listen to once, and hey, who wouldn't enjoy hearing conservatives getting a musical poke in the eye.
This album blew me away. It's fantastic. I think that the Dixie Chicks have been forced into the alt-country side of things and they are right at home. I encourage anyone who's at the library to give it a listen (just don't look for it at the Grand Rapids Main Library before September 3, because I'll still have it).
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Currently
listening
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Taking The Long Way
By
Dixie Chicks
Release date: 23 May, 2006
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7:06 PM
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Saturday, September 08, 2007
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Kurt Vonnegut
Current mood:  nostalgic
As many of you know, Kurt Vonnegut is one of my heroes. During high school I asked one of my favorite teachers if he had any suggestions for me to read when traveling with my parents. He pulled out 'Cat's Cradle'. He couldn't have chosen a more perfect book for me. I still read it occasionally. Ever since, Kurt Vonnegut's work has resonated with me like no other author.
I bring this up now because I just found a eulogy written for him by the Onion AV Club. Instead of telling about his life, they reprinted some of his best quotes. It was so good I wanted put the link here.
Kurt Vonnegut, you are missed.
15 Things Kurt Vonnegut Said Better Than Anyone Else Ever Has Or Will
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Currently
listening
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March 16-20, 1992
By
Uncle Tupelo
Release date: 15 April, 2003
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4:32 PM
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Thursday, May 26, 2005
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Centered
Yesterday I got back from a couple days camping up north. It was so relaxing. There is nothing like spending time alone in the woods. The best part was just getting away from GR and the job and being able to take things at a slower pace I can hike as much or as little as I want to and spend the nights sitting around the campfire drinking beer and smoking cigarettes (the one time I still smoke). Having a lot of time to think lets your mind wander and find out more about yourself. After a trip like this I feel more calm, centered, and I have a better understanding about what is important to me. I'll definately have to make more of these trips during the summer.
7:32 PM
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3 Comments - 4 Kudos
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