I thought McCain's concession speech was super classy.  I wish he had conducted himself that way--the way I truly believe him to be as a human being and a man--throughout the campaign instead of obviously listening to hard-core Republican strategists.  I think if he had just been himself instead of pandering to a far-right conservative Republican base that he doesn't truly represent anyway (and didn't really turn out to vote for him), the election would've been much closer.  Instead, he just gave a voice to all the angry, hateful, polarizing views of the Crazy!Republicans (not that all, or most, Republicans are crazy; I'm specifically addressing the ones who want to believe Obama is a Muslim and that by definition is a bad thing, etc.) when I know he doesn't share their views or their fervor.

As it is, I'm pretty stoked.  I think it's impossible for Obama to live up to all the promises he has made, but really, when's that NOT true for a president-elect?  Or any elected official for that matter?  Honestly, I just hope this makes some strides to help heal all the wounds of this country and helps to restore a better place in the world for us.  And how...American to see a bunch of African-American Obamas on that stage with a bunch of blonde haired, blue eyed, European-American Bidens.  I loved it.

And speaking of the world, my international flisters seem to be at least as excited by Obama's election as my fellow citizens.  I tried to comment last night on several posts, but I couldn't really think of what to say.  I guess I'm just insanely curious about what this really means to the rest of the world--why does every other country on the planet seem to be so fervently behind Obama?  Is it about what it means for America and so we again become that 'beacon of light' and example for the rest of the world--that it gives hope to the rest of the world?  Is it about what it means to your country specifically?  What are your expectations of him and of America?  And on a related note, of the responsibilities the rest of world places on America (and we place on ourselves), do you think they result from America's broad power and how we've inserted ourselves into other countries and the pull we have the world over, or do you think that other countries have an equal part in creating these expectations and responsibilities by importing our culture, our way of life and by accepting our help?  Really, I guess I just want to know why this election means so much, what exactly it does mean, and why everybody seems (and probably is) so entitled to their opinion about it?  Weigh in, invite your friends to drop by, whatever...I'm just extremely curious.

So I went to the Hillary Clinton rally here last Friday.  It was pretty interesting.  She has fabulous hair...I wondered a lot about how long it takes to do it in the morning when she's working all those long hours on the campaign.  It seemed like a lot of work.  /shallow

Then, Obama was here on Saturday and I really wanted to go, but my stupid sinus infection was really bad, so I didn't.   Then I saw the picture of the 100,000 that did show up, and I was glad I didn't.  Yay! 

( I'm Controversial! )

How is giving tax cuts to the rich "capitalist, trickle-down economics," while giving them to the middle and lower classes is "socialist"?   

'Joe the Plumber' has said that Obama has a socialist view of taxes, and then followed it up by arguing that just because he makes more, he shouldn't have to pay more.  Call me crazy, but...equal distribution of wealth and responsibility (at least as far as taxes go)? Sounds a little socialist to me, Joe.  Why don't you just say what you really want: socialism for the rich, capitalism for the poor.  And really, I don't know why you care anyway since you already don't pay your taxes.  WTF-EVA.  I just think it's hilarious that McCain tried to use this guy as an example of 'joe-six-pack' without checking into his background.  The media dug up all this stuff about him--no plumbing license, owes back taxes--in a matter of about 18 hours, yet McCain said this guy talked to Obama on Sunday; his campaign couldn't have done a little research over the course of THREE DAYS?!  You'd think he would've learned after that whole vice presidential nominee thing.

Is anybody else ready for this damn election to be over?

So I was a little disappointed in the debate.  Sarah was a little too prepared and Joe was a little too concise, so there wasn't nearly as much hilarity as I had hoped.  But there was one moment that completely made my week. 

Joe Biden: ...But the notion that somehow because I'm a man I don't know what it's like to raise two kids alone--I know what it's like to have a child you're not sure is...*gets all choked up*... is gonna make it.  I understand.

Sarah Palin: *flipping through notes about what to do if he uses sexism against her or...CRIES*  ::pause:: John McCain is a maverick.

HILARIOUS.  I mean I feel bad about his wife and daughter and all, I just think it's fabulous that he ended up being more of a girl than she was so no one could play the bully card against him.  FABULOUS.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! 

That was a really nice try to get the Hillary voters on your side, but frankly, entirely transparent.  You pick someone with less experience than Obama from a state that's not really that difficult to run.  If there's an invasion of moose, a salmon shortage, or we need to hunt a whale, I guess we'll be in good shape.  And seriously, anyone who has a baby (whether on purpose, accidentally, or through adoption, etc.) at 44, when she already has four kids, during her first term as governor has some definite judgment issues.  So, really, you want me to vote for you when if you keel over from a heart attack or Air Force One crashes a person with no experience and a new baby will be running the country?  Yeah, I think I'll pass on that.  But it was a good try.

Sincerely,
Me