politics { Is Azeroth a blue state or a red state?

I know its a little late, but the servers have been down all day and I was jonesing for some WoW.

election { Election erection or...

Get thee to the votery!

Serious. I don't care which side you choose. Vote damn it!

politics { End of the World?

Its odd. In talking to some acquaintances and friends who are of the conservative leaning...far leaning (but not religious leaning), I've noticed a theme. They're all convinced tomorrow will be the end of the world and there will be rioting in the streets. To quote one:

"If Obama wins, the racists will be up in a fit. If Obama loses, Detroit will burn."

A couple of them have even stocked up on ammo, as if riotous looters will be coming to their suburban homes.

Hmmm. I don't think so. In discussing this they said we as Americans riot over sports teams, and why wouldn't we riot over this election. Well, no one rioted when Bush 'stole' the election in 2000. Why would anyone riot now? Sadly more people care more deeply over sports games than they do over our government. So I feel rioting over an election is not likely to happen.

Is this really how conservatives think? That a democrat President and Congress is the end of the world? Is this what 8 years of the GOP hate-machine has created, a belief in conservatives that liberals are evil?

Maybe they are right, I hope to whatever powers there may be it is the end of /their/ world. Their world is a scary, hateful, fear-mongering, greedy place of corruption, ignorance, jingoism and constant terror.

I hope that world burns.

politics { YES! Michael Palin for Prez (or VP)

Found while reading this.

Michael Palin for President (because I guess anyone can rule the free world).

politics { MN Primary Elections are TODAY!

Go vote!

Where to vote depends upon where you live. Find your polling station here.

politics { Palin, poor choice

I think the Republicans want the issue of her daughter's pregnancy to remain. Like Carville stated, it makes the other issues opaque. And truthfully, examine her politics, examine her experience. She's not qualified (much like Dan Quayle wasn't qualified) to be Vice President. The ugly truth is that she was chosen because of her looks and that her political views would appease certain elements of the Republican base (i.e. the evangelicals) that don't like John McCain. I agree with Carville again, if they wanted a strong and experienced candidate (in my opinion woman or not) they should have chosen Olympia Snowe. Palin was a bad choice, all around, and not because she was a woman. The only way they could have picked a worse candidate would have been to choose Michelle Bachman. They chose her because she's a mommy, she's pretty, she will appeal to the NASCAR dads and can be related to by the suburban soccer moms, because she's anti-gay, anti-sex-ed, anti-contraceptive, pro-gun, pro-life, religious, doesn't believe in global warming, and has been a loyal foot-solider in the GOP. She's a GOP drone who will follow orders well. Much like probably any male candidate they would have chosen. They chose her to appear progressive (as in they chose a woman candidate), help shore up the base. The fact a lot of negatives are coming out (not just her daughter's pregancy, but the fact she ran Ted Steven's 527 and is therefore part of that corruption). The GOP, is going to use the baby to distract from the issues of corruption.

politics { Obama's speech in St. Paul

Yeah, I know a little late.

nerd/politics { Candidates w/ Monster Manual Entries

Saw this on boingboing. Brilliant.

John McCain (Demon Prince of Republicans.) (Lesser God.)

FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO APPEARING: 1
ARMOUR CLASS: -7
MOVE: 3" (72" per flight sector on the campaign jet)
HIT DICE: 200 hit points (But first you have to defeat 4d8 Secret Service Agents)
% IN LAIR: 0%
TREASURE TYPE: All your NATO base are belong to us!
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: Invades Iran. Takes 100d20 casualties in first strike while inflicting 20 x 100d20 civilian casualties. Followed by war of attrition, economic collapse, recrimination.
SPECIAL ATTACKS: 5% chance of 30,000 Megaton nuclear first strike on Upper Volta.
SPECIAL DEFENSES: +3 or better weapon to hit. In event of combat, 20% chance of heart attack per round, followed by the swearing in of President Santorum. You wouldn't want that, would you?)
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 80% (10% vs. mind control spells by Cheney.)
INTELLIGENCE: Normal.
CHARISMA: 12 (16 to neocons)
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic evil if under control of Cheney; otherwise Chaotic neutral.
SIZE: M
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: X/29,950* (* for impeachment)

A huge, ancient, carnivorous dinosaur from the swamps at the heart of Republican country, not unlike Godzilla in appearance and wrinkled integument, McCain has seen better years. Nevertheless he can breathe fire and threaten to stomp flat the capital city of any country that Fox News disapproves of with the best of them.

The biggest danger in facing off against a McCain is that he might be under the mind control of the Svengali-like Cheney, Prince of Darkness. In this case, he is likely to be lethally aggressive and even more unpredictable than usual.

election { Going Low, Going Negative, part 2

Found another distasteful campaign ad:

election { Going Low, Going Negative

The thing I hate most in elections, is the negative mud slinging. This tactic was refined and taken to new heights by the campaign strategies of Karl Rove for Bush in 2000 (a good example was the push polling saying McCain had a "black baby" in South Carolina).

I'm a little disappointed that Hillary is using this, below is a campaign ad that was used in Texas and Ohio before the race:



Its a Fear ad, much like the one from Defense of Democracies. Meant to scare us and tap into that primal emotion.

The Obama campaign hasn't used fear ads, instead going for more of a sympathy tactic. However, supporters have gone negative, and directly against her, such as in this non-endorsed supporter ad:



I wish both sides would not go negative. I wish there was a way candidates could counter each other and maintain an honest, fair, and sportsmanlike race. Facts seem to not matter much anymore and they are hard to weed out of the noise or find in a raw, unbiased format.

Going negative foremost is childish. To those who don't support you, it deepens their anger and disgust. For those who do support you, or believe the ads/remarks, it can create false impressions of the other candidate. Either way it creates an unnecessary tension at best, and a complete split where either side will not listen to the other at worst (the scorched earth approach).

Personally I support Obama, but I could live with Clinton (at the moment). I get a lot of flak from people (which is good, it sparks good healthy debate) because I support a candidate who "lacks experience." But I keep going back to, in my mind, that this lack of experience, to me, is not a detriment. I want change. I don't want someone who come from the inside (even though Obama does) who wants to maintain the status quo. The status quo is so broken I want outside of the box thought and input. I want someone not biased by years of being in that toxic environment. You want a competent President yes (although we haven't had one since 2000), but you also want a charismatic President. Someone who can energize and inspire. That trait does not come from experience, you either have it or you don't. I don't want change for the sake of change either, but change is needed.

P.S. If anyone can link Obama endorsed, anti-Clinton ads similar to Clinton's '3AM' ad, let me know. And yes I am aware that by not asking his supporters to stop going negative, Obama is passively supporting it.

politics { Congressional District 1, Ward 2 Caucus

Update: Salon.com has a great results page.

Just got back from the Caucus here in Rochester. Record turn out, over 2000 people showed at our caucus. In my precinct alone 300 people showed, more than twice the number in 2006 (and the veterans were saying in 2000 only 20 people showed to caucus). There were so many, they ran out of ballots at 7:15pm and had to start cutting up resolution papers. We were late because the parking lot was full and cars were backed up for a considerable distance. There was a lot of energy in the air, positive and hopeful. It was good to see 75% of our immediate neighbors there and ready.

The Ward went ~1400 Obama, 689 Clinton, and <100 for the others.

I've been made a delegate (along with Nerdwife) for the County Caucus on March 29.

Resolutions passed in my Precinct:
*DFL will oppose any constitutional (state or national) that restricts the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
*Provide or subsidize health care for all residents.
*DFL will support and recognize labor unions and support measure providing fair wages for all residents.
*DFL will support and fund transportation infrastructure including effective public transportation, railways, roadways, and bridges.
*Fully fund and support education programs for all. (a lot of education programs have been mandated, but not funded)

Resolutions that were rejected:
*Support of the Marty Bill providing Universal single-payer health care. This was a tough one. Much debate, many good points for and against, but it was pretty much over when Sheila Kiscaden spoke against it as a division point that would polarize discussion on the issue in the legislature instead of providing a phased implementation towards a universal health care solution. I'm not familiar with the legislation, but I voted for this resolution as in my opinion it is a step in the right direction.

The biggest event of the night: Nerdwife and I met with and confronted Representative Walz on his vote for the FISA bill. He was very energetic and honest on the topic and we talked for almost 15 minutes. He understands the frustration and the feelings of betrayal those on the left felt for him after that vote- but Walz put forth a passionate defense. He voted for the FISA bill to keep the topic open for discussion because it had a six month end clause forcing renewal (note that Walz states he opposed the recent 15-day extension, which was a voice vote). He felt further deliberation provided a chance for substantial revision or repeal in the Senate. Unfortunately, the Senate's bill came back with only one change: a clause granting immunity to the Telecom Companies. He (and a few other Democrats) voted for the initial bill to deny it as wedge issue the GOP could use against them in the election. Walz has promised a "No" vote on renewal - lets see if he keeps his promise. After discussing this topic with him, and playing good constituent/bad constituent (guess who was who!)we both felt he was honest, and his reasons made sense. It changed my feelings on the subject and regarding him. At this point, I am likely to vote for him for another term.

nerdwife: I can't say I agree with Walz's logic- after all, isn't a "no" vote at this point simply going to afford the GOP a wedge closer to election time?- but he seemed genuine, well-informed about the bill and his decision, and most importantly, ready to knock the current bill down. To those who have written/called/emailed: he is very aware of your feelings! Walz was really on point about this vote, and had answers ready for this frowning constituent.

politics { Reminder: MN Caucus date is now Feb 5, 2008 @ 7pm

Find your precinct here.

politics { Minnesotans in Iowa

With the election season coming up to full speed, idiocy and ideology are ramping up. I've seen a few emails and heard some rumblings flying around about having MN liberals go to Iowa to door knock. A good example is posted over on Evil Bobby.

politics { President-o-tron 9000

So from now until the election, I'm gonna fire up the President-o-tron 9000 and have it randomly spew out who will win, cuz really at this point it almost doesn't matter.

I fired it up and it gave me this result...

A turd in a hat

Hmmm...I can't tell if needs further debugging or if its dead on...

politics { U.S. Senate race 2008

Joe Bodell at Minnesota Campaign Report says that Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer is making his Senate run official, and will announce later today.

He's got my support.