......but is not overwhelmingly one sided.
I have mentioned here before, even as recently as a couple days ago, that I am very nervous about Obama possibly losing this election, despite the polls. I just think there are too many factors to consider besides his obvious popularity, and current standing.
Well, I just read an article, on a very conservative website called REDSTATE no less, that summed up a few of my fears.
Disclaimer: I do not agree with everything this guy says....but I will have to admit that he is confirming a lot of the thoughts that have been swelling around in my head.
So, here's the link ......
http://www.redstate.com/diaries/dan_perrin/2008/oct/28/the-seven-reasons-mccain-palin-are-a-lock-to/
I want this article to proven crazy. And shown to be just a bunch of conspiracy theories. Here's hopin'.
And for the love of all that is right and just in this world.... SHOW UP ON TUESDAY AND VOTE! FOR OBAMA! PLEASE!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
New Orleans Charity Event: By the Numbers
O.K. So I am in New Orleans for work this week. And this is a different kind of program.
Although it is a national conference for a client, they have taken on this enormous charity project where, by the end of the week, all 10,000 attendees will each have done 5 hours of community service here....painting flood damaged houses, landscaping yards and clearing and building neighborhood parks. It really is an undertaking. And something that I hope other companies start doing also. I love when they combine charity work into their meetings.
Well, our job here is logistical. Some duties: lunches, water, and snacks for staff. Busing everyone to the work sites. Organizing the police to close the streets where we are working. Organizing tool deliveries and portapotties. Basically all aspects that need to be done to allow the volunteers to just show up and work.
The main reason I am talking about this is that we just finished day 2 of the event. And I have to admit....a lot of strange things have happen. Now, my job as an event planner has always been to put out fires, and deal with the unexpected, but the last couple days have surprised even me.
The American Airlines Magazine does this cool thing where they share trivia facts by giving you numbers, and then explaining them. I thought that would be a fun way to describe some of the happenings on this New Orleans charity project so far. Some are hilarious, some are scary, and some are just plain weird.
And remember...this is just in the first 2 days. I have 3 more days of this......Enjoy!
Number of Hotels in New Orleans required for the Conference: 32
Number of Hotel that have had a fire in them in the last 2 day: 2
Number of feet between police officers in the Gentilly Area work event: 25
Number of total police officers it took to close the streets around that 9 block area: over 50
Number of people mugged while working in that same very patrolled area: 2
Number of times I went the wrong way on a one way street to get to my assigned location in the rental car: 3
Number of those times that ended with me swerving up on someone's lawn and getting stuck there to avoid being hit: 1
Number of portapotties required for this event placed various spots around the city: 150
Number of those I had to clean myself because someone doesn't understand the concept of using the hole, and not the surrounding rim of the toilet when using the porta, and the people we pay to service them would not be there for another 45 min, and I had a line of people to use it: 1
The "Number" I had to clean up in aforementioned portapotty: 2
Number of times I used the phrase "My job really sucks right now" while cleaning that portapotty: 20
Number of EMT Vehicles on standby daily for the event: 5
Number on EMT calls so far in the first 2 days: 14
Number of those calls that involved someone freaking out after being bit by a caterpillar, and insisting we get the bite checked out: 1
Number of grown men riding by on a bike with colorful ribbons coming out the handlebars, a 22 oz can of beer in the water bottle holder on the bike, and a full grill of gold teeth that asked if he could have one of the boxed lunches we were distributing for the volunteers: 1
Number of times that same man had to trade in his box lunch for another because he didn't like the sandwich flavor: 3 (he rejected chicken; vegetarian, and roast beef - ended up with turkey)
Number of people said bike rider came back with 30 minutes later to ask if they could have lunches also: 4 ( we gave them lunches too...and they did not dispute sandwich type)
Number of volunteers that completely ignored me when I personally asked them to not enter the abandoned house, next door to the one we were working in, that looked sketchy (she said she just wanted to take pictures): 1
Number of volunteers that fell through the withered wood floor of a house they were not supposed to be in, and broke their ankle, 5 minutes later: 1 (Coincidence??? I think not.....)
And the best one so far......
Number of dead bodies found in the work sites: 1
(FYI: A lady died of a heart attack while putting out the garbage. A trash man found her the next morning just as our buses were dropping the volunteers off at the house next door.)
You can't make this crap up.
I am going to add to this list after the program is over.....stay tuned!
Although it is a national conference for a client, they have taken on this enormous charity project where, by the end of the week, all 10,000 attendees will each have done 5 hours of community service here....painting flood damaged houses, landscaping yards and clearing and building neighborhood parks. It really is an undertaking. And something that I hope other companies start doing also. I love when they combine charity work into their meetings.
Well, our job here is logistical. Some duties: lunches, water, and snacks for staff. Busing everyone to the work sites. Organizing the police to close the streets where we are working. Organizing tool deliveries and portapotties. Basically all aspects that need to be done to allow the volunteers to just show up and work.
The main reason I am talking about this is that we just finished day 2 of the event. And I have to admit....a lot of strange things have happen. Now, my job as an event planner has always been to put out fires, and deal with the unexpected, but the last couple days have surprised even me.
The American Airlines Magazine does this cool thing where they share trivia facts by giving you numbers, and then explaining them. I thought that would be a fun way to describe some of the happenings on this New Orleans charity project so far. Some are hilarious, some are scary, and some are just plain weird.
And remember...this is just in the first 2 days. I have 3 more days of this......Enjoy!
Number of Hotels in New Orleans required for the Conference: 32
Number of Hotel that have had a fire in them in the last 2 day: 2
Number of feet between police officers in the Gentilly Area work event: 25
Number of total police officers it took to close the streets around that 9 block area: over 50
Number of people mugged while working in that same very patrolled area: 2
Number of times I went the wrong way on a one way street to get to my assigned location in the rental car: 3
Number of those times that ended with me swerving up on someone's lawn and getting stuck there to avoid being hit: 1
Number of portapotties required for this event placed various spots around the city: 150
Number of those I had to clean myself because someone doesn't understand the concept of using the hole, and not the surrounding rim of the toilet when using the porta, and the people we pay to service them would not be there for another 45 min, and I had a line of people to use it: 1
The "Number" I had to clean up in aforementioned portapotty: 2
Number of times I used the phrase "My job really sucks right now" while cleaning that portapotty: 20
Number of EMT Vehicles on standby daily for the event: 5
Number on EMT calls so far in the first 2 days: 14
Number of those calls that involved someone freaking out after being bit by a caterpillar, and insisting we get the bite checked out: 1
Number of grown men riding by on a bike with colorful ribbons coming out the handlebars, a 22 oz can of beer in the water bottle holder on the bike, and a full grill of gold teeth that asked if he could have one of the boxed lunches we were distributing for the volunteers: 1
Number of times that same man had to trade in his box lunch for another because he didn't like the sandwich flavor: 3 (he rejected chicken; vegetarian, and roast beef - ended up with turkey)
Number of people said bike rider came back with 30 minutes later to ask if they could have lunches also: 4 ( we gave them lunches too...and they did not dispute sandwich type)
Number of volunteers that completely ignored me when I personally asked them to not enter the abandoned house, next door to the one we were working in, that looked sketchy (she said she just wanted to take pictures): 1
Number of volunteers that fell through the withered wood floor of a house they were not supposed to be in, and broke their ankle, 5 minutes later: 1 (Coincidence??? I think not.....)
And the best one so far......
Number of dead bodies found in the work sites: 1
(FYI: A lady died of a heart attack while putting out the garbage. A trash man found her the next morning just as our buses were dropping the volunteers off at the house next door.)
You can't make this crap up.
I am going to add to this list after the program is over.....stay tuned!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Democrats are Pissing Me Off!
There I said it.
I am completely over everyone saying this election is done, and that Obama is going to win, and he is going to win big. Clearly these are first time voters with this cocky sentiment.
Voters who don't remember the "Swift boating" of John Kerry in 2004. He was ahead in the poll with 10 days to go too. And that is when the Republican PR machine took off and managed to turn a decorated war hero into a Vietnam scapegoat.
Let's look at the reasons I think this is going to be a very, very close election. One where we will most likely not know the outcome to on election day. One where I am not completely convinced Obama is going to win......
1. The Bradley Effect.
No one wants to hear about it or talk about it. But its out there, and it makes me nervous. Google the concept if you are not familiar.
2. Past Voting Trends.
Another topic no one wants to admit to......
Unfortunately in this country, young people and minorities do not always seem to make it to the polls on election day. No matter how vocal they have been in the campaigns. Obama's supporters include a lot of young people and minorities.
3. Lines at Voter Spots.
I don't care how many new polling places, or new machines have been added, I fear its not going to be any different than four years ago. There will be multi hour long lines to vote, and you know that is going to dissuade a fair amount of people. Especially those who tend to vote in the evening. (I.E. Democrats)
4. The Silent Majority.
Unfortunately Nixon was right when he coined that phrase about 30 years ago. History does not always favor the candidate of radical change. I am still afraid that there are a lot of people who have not shown support for either candidate during this election. I am talking about more than just the "undecided" that the media seems to spotlight. I am talking about people who have kept quiet this entire election, and we have no idea what they are thinking.
So, I'm nervous. I want Obama to win so badly. I just feel like everyone is getting too confident. And if Obama loses, there will be a very loud thud when this all falls apart. I want this to be a warning. It is far from over. There is still time to volunteer. There are still doors to be knocked on, and signs to be placed. And most importantly, show up on Nov. 4th. Wait in those long lines. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't vote, or are not eligible. Or that the polls are closed. As long as you arrive by 7:00PM....no matter how long the line is.....You can still vote!
I would hate to think that Sen. Obama came as far as he did; had so many people gather around him at rallies; wrote so many speeches that moved me to tears; introduced so many new ideas; and brought such a new hope to this sagging American spirit....just to lose in the bottom of the 9th.
Believe. Act. Vote.
(I know, such a trite phrase, but I saw it on a Pro-Obama blog, and it made me laugh. Had to use it!)
I am completely over everyone saying this election is done, and that Obama is going to win, and he is going to win big. Clearly these are first time voters with this cocky sentiment.
Voters who don't remember the "Swift boating" of John Kerry in 2004. He was ahead in the poll with 10 days to go too. And that is when the Republican PR machine took off and managed to turn a decorated war hero into a Vietnam scapegoat.
Let's look at the reasons I think this is going to be a very, very close election. One where we will most likely not know the outcome to on election day. One where I am not completely convinced Obama is going to win......
1. The Bradley Effect.
No one wants to hear about it or talk about it. But its out there, and it makes me nervous. Google the concept if you are not familiar.
2. Past Voting Trends.
Another topic no one wants to admit to......
Unfortunately in this country, young people and minorities do not always seem to make it to the polls on election day. No matter how vocal they have been in the campaigns. Obama's supporters include a lot of young people and minorities.
3. Lines at Voter Spots.
I don't care how many new polling places, or new machines have been added, I fear its not going to be any different than four years ago. There will be multi hour long lines to vote, and you know that is going to dissuade a fair amount of people. Especially those who tend to vote in the evening. (I.E. Democrats)
4. The Silent Majority.
Unfortunately Nixon was right when he coined that phrase about 30 years ago. History does not always favor the candidate of radical change. I am still afraid that there are a lot of people who have not shown support for either candidate during this election. I am talking about more than just the "undecided" that the media seems to spotlight. I am talking about people who have kept quiet this entire election, and we have no idea what they are thinking.
So, I'm nervous. I want Obama to win so badly. I just feel like everyone is getting too confident. And if Obama loses, there will be a very loud thud when this all falls apart. I want this to be a warning. It is far from over. There is still time to volunteer. There are still doors to be knocked on, and signs to be placed. And most importantly, show up on Nov. 4th. Wait in those long lines. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't vote, or are not eligible. Or that the polls are closed. As long as you arrive by 7:00PM....no matter how long the line is.....You can still vote!
I would hate to think that Sen. Obama came as far as he did; had so many people gather around him at rallies; wrote so many speeches that moved me to tears; introduced so many new ideas; and brought such a new hope to this sagging American spirit....just to lose in the bottom of the 9th.
Believe. Act. Vote.
(I know, such a trite phrase, but I saw it on a Pro-Obama blog, and it made me laugh. Had to use it!)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Last (WooHoo) Debate
I don't think I would be doing my thoughts justice if I did not comment on Senator John McCain.
I have to say that I am saddened by what this man has been reduced to. Now, I don't want you to assume that this is going to be a bash on him, because I don't mean it to be. It just makes me angry at him, and his people, to see what he has transformed himself to be in an attempt to win this election.
And last night was the ultimate example of that.
I don't hate McCain. I never did. I said from the beginning of the primary season that I didn't have a problem with him as our president. I liked Hilary and Obama better, but I didn't feel that overwhelming fear and loathing that I had for Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, or even Fred Thompson. In other words, I liked him for a Republican.
Where I made my mistake was that the McCain I liked, was apparently the McCain of a few years ago. The one that the Republican party didn't want to have anything to do with. The one who both Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter said would make them vote for Hilary.
McCain of a few years ago may not have been full on ProChoice. But he was not in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade. He was definitely not that guy who accuses others of being "pro-abortion" and talks about stacking the Supreme Court with super conservative justices. Or panders to religious zealots by spewing on about Life, and the gift of Life from God.
McCain of a few years ago may not have been fully behind Gay Marriage. But he was for basic gay rights, and opposed a constitutional amendment stating that marriage was between a women and a man. He was not this bigoted, judgemental ass who wants to protect marriage, and sees the possibility of gay marriage as a breakdown of moral fibers in our country.
McCain of a few years ago was a respected and decorated war hero. He was an expert on Military affairs, who had bravely served our country and deserved our admiration. He was not this blubbery, crotchety old man who takes cheap shots at his opponents about issues and associations that he KNOWS to not be factual. He would not have rolled his eyes, and show such disdain for an opponent that except for a few issues, he used to hold the same positions on.
McCain of a few years ago would have picked a running mate that matched his level of intelligence, and could have appealed to the large number of Republicans in this country who are tired of their party being associated with radical right wing religious politics, like he used to be. A running mate who wanted to get back to the Reagan years of less government. He would have never picked an ignorant, super conservative christian creationist with basically no experience, and a resume of sketchy politics. Who is only around to blatantly try to steal the affections of disillusioned women voters and the fired up Christian zealots who are clinging to the idea that Muslims and anyone who doesn't think exactly like them are the enemy.
So I think it is sad. A once great and respectable man had to change himself so much. Present McCain is not even a shell of past McCain anymore. I was thinking that there was still a little of the old school Maverick around, and that if he did get elected, that he would revert back to his old likable self again. But after that trainwreck of a debate last night, all my hopes of that are over. He really is just a war mongering puppet of the extreme Christian right.
Even Obama knows that he is not what he used to be. I felt that when Obama made the comment about the fans at McCain Palin speeches who shout "Kill Him" about Barack and other death threats. And all New McCain could respond with was that he supports the people at his rallies.
Well, Senator McCain....I hope the transformation was worth it. Risking your reputation, and sacrificing your beliefs during the first 30 years of political service to be possibly elected president by the people you used to call extremists.
And if you lose, you will not go down in history as the war hero, and acclaimed Senator that you would have deserved. You will be the failed presidential candidate whose name will always be associated with Gov Palin, who we know, will not get out of Alaska. You will be remembered for comparing your opponent to Britney Spears, rolling your eyes with disgust at the debates, and calling another respected Senator, soon to be president "That One." And the sad part is that with your age, and health issues, you don't have a lot of time to make up for this.
So, congratulations on selling your soul to the devil. I hope it was worth it.
I have to say that I am saddened by what this man has been reduced to. Now, I don't want you to assume that this is going to be a bash on him, because I don't mean it to be. It just makes me angry at him, and his people, to see what he has transformed himself to be in an attempt to win this election.
And last night was the ultimate example of that.
I don't hate McCain. I never did. I said from the beginning of the primary season that I didn't have a problem with him as our president. I liked Hilary and Obama better, but I didn't feel that overwhelming fear and loathing that I had for Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, or even Fred Thompson. In other words, I liked him for a Republican.
Where I made my mistake was that the McCain I liked, was apparently the McCain of a few years ago. The one that the Republican party didn't want to have anything to do with. The one who both Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter said would make them vote for Hilary.
McCain of a few years ago may not have been full on ProChoice. But he was not in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade. He was definitely not that guy who accuses others of being "pro-abortion" and talks about stacking the Supreme Court with super conservative justices. Or panders to religious zealots by spewing on about Life, and the gift of Life from God.
McCain of a few years ago may not have been fully behind Gay Marriage. But he was for basic gay rights, and opposed a constitutional amendment stating that marriage was between a women and a man. He was not this bigoted, judgemental ass who wants to protect marriage, and sees the possibility of gay marriage as a breakdown of moral fibers in our country.
McCain of a few years ago was a respected and decorated war hero. He was an expert on Military affairs, who had bravely served our country and deserved our admiration. He was not this blubbery, crotchety old man who takes cheap shots at his opponents about issues and associations that he KNOWS to not be factual. He would not have rolled his eyes, and show such disdain for an opponent that except for a few issues, he used to hold the same positions on.
McCain of a few years ago would have picked a running mate that matched his level of intelligence, and could have appealed to the large number of Republicans in this country who are tired of their party being associated with radical right wing religious politics, like he used to be. A running mate who wanted to get back to the Reagan years of less government. He would have never picked an ignorant, super conservative christian creationist with basically no experience, and a resume of sketchy politics. Who is only around to blatantly try to steal the affections of disillusioned women voters and the fired up Christian zealots who are clinging to the idea that Muslims and anyone who doesn't think exactly like them are the enemy.
So I think it is sad. A once great and respectable man had to change himself so much. Present McCain is not even a shell of past McCain anymore. I was thinking that there was still a little of the old school Maverick around, and that if he did get elected, that he would revert back to his old likable self again. But after that trainwreck of a debate last night, all my hopes of that are over. He really is just a war mongering puppet of the extreme Christian right.
Even Obama knows that he is not what he used to be. I felt that when Obama made the comment about the fans at McCain Palin speeches who shout "Kill Him" about Barack and other death threats. And all New McCain could respond with was that he supports the people at his rallies.
Well, Senator McCain....I hope the transformation was worth it. Risking your reputation, and sacrificing your beliefs during the first 30 years of political service to be possibly elected president by the people you used to call extremists.
And if you lose, you will not go down in history as the war hero, and acclaimed Senator that you would have deserved. You will be the failed presidential candidate whose name will always be associated with Gov Palin, who we know, will not get out of Alaska. You will be remembered for comparing your opponent to Britney Spears, rolling your eyes with disgust at the debates, and calling another respected Senator, soon to be president "That One." And the sad part is that with your age, and health issues, you don't have a lot of time to make up for this.
So, congratulations on selling your soul to the devil. I hope it was worth it.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Random Quote of the Day
"Instead of 'Stalker', I prefer 'Professional Crazed Fan'."
-Jack from Will & Grace
-Jack from Will & Grace
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