Friday, October 03, 2008

A Campaign, Some Pain, and Palin


Blog-Bud Jim, aka Suldog, has launched his second annual “Thanksgiving Comes First!” campaign… and has asked those of us who agree with him… and who are the proprietors of blogs… to join the campaign. Well, I can’t think of anyone who actually approves of seeing Christmas sales, Christmas advertising, Christmas-this, or Christmas-that, before Thanksgiving has come and gone. NO ONE… period, end of report, full-stop. I’m quite sure even the employees and management of those businesses who launch Christmas before Thanksgiving is even here have a distaste for the project at hand. I mean… how could you NOT?


So. I’m on board with this. I hope you are, too. Jim has great narrative reasons and not a few rants on the subject at the link above and here, as well. Do go read.


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Light blogging today. I spent one and a half hours in the dental chair yesterday getting a root canal, and I’m still a bit sore today and jes a lil bit short on what I’ll euphemistically call “good attitude.” The procedure itself is relatively painless thanks to really good anesthetics, liberally dispensed. But the length of time the procedure takes tends to take a bit out of ya… if’n ya know what I mean. An hour and a half is a long time to be flat on your back with various and sundry implements coming and going in your mouth, not to mention the interesting and unusual sounds associated with this event. It’s a little trying.


I’ve often said I’m blessed with relatively good health… in that I don’t have a weight problem, my “numbers” are all excellent, there’s no arthritis, no rheumatism, and I have none other of the minor ailments (or major ones, either) that seem to afflict us all as we grow older. Except for this “bad teeth” gene. I really should count my blessings in this space, but it’s real hard to keep one’s perspective intact… occasionally.


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One final thought… or thoughts… before I go back to couch. I watched the debate last evening and I thought Sarah Palin won. Biden was a little better here and there, but Sarah scored the most points and was the more convincing of the two. Gwen Ifill did a passable… but only just… job of moderating. I would have preferred Jim Lehrer over Ifill, but who am I to say? I DO have an issue with the McCain campaign and the way they’ve “run the show” during the time since the GOP convention's been over. And rather than reinvent the wheel, I’ll just give ya what I left over at Phlegmmy’s place on the subject:


I had mixed emotions about Sarah's performance last evening. She did as well, or better, than could be expected... given her constraints. And by that I mean she was obviously instructed by the campaign to "stay on message." Her BEST moments were when she cut free from "the message" and talked about her direct experiences as governor and mayor. The woman connects with people... easily and sincerely... and the frickin' "campaign" isn't using her strengths to their advantage.

I'm beginning to think the McCain campaign is one of the most inept I've EVER seen. Missed opportunities abound... like a failure to hammer home the point HE (McCain) went after Fanny/Freddie with a vengeance while the usual suspects were at the trough... and so on.

McCain's finger-in-the-wind, focus group driven, faux populism just irritates the livin' HELL out of me, too. If I hear this "greed and corruption on Wall Street" generality without specific examples... including what he's gonna DO about it, assuming it exists... one more time I'm gonna... oh, well. I'm sure you get my drift. Very disappointing. I expected better from McCain than this. And we deserve better, too.


I have more to say on this subject, but I’ll save it for another time when I’m better able to convert thought into text. I’m at something of a nadir in this regard at the moment. Methinks more… and better… drugs are called for.

24 comments:

  1. I thought Sarah Palin hit a grand slam home run out of the ball park for many reasons:
    1. She NEEDED to have a good debate and she did. Better command of the issues than I expected.
    2. No major mistakes. No mistakes at all actually except pronouncing the name of the commanding general in Afghanistan incorrectly, and transposing Wall Street and Main Street in one answer.
    3. She was just delightful - down to earth, folksy, humorous, confident, composed - she seemed to be having fun. And she's gorgeous.
    4. I know some people thought Biden did a credible job, but to me he was stiff and sometimes surly and often defensive. He looks physcially ill to me. He didn't know the constitutional role of the Vice President, and he told so many lies the experts are still tallying them up.

    Also, Buck, I agree with you, the McCain campaign has been incompetent ... and I think it is just too late to salvage thngs.

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  2. I haven't had a chance to watch the whole debate yet, it's still on my DVR (I decided the volleyball game against Melrose was needing my attention a bit more. I was right, we finally won a game!!). But from the soundbites I heard this morning, she was awesome.

    I agree about the Christmas stuff. I noticed at Walmart last week they already had two aisles of holiday stuff out. Thanksgiving first. HA! At least let Halloween come and go first! LOL!

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  3. I'm totally on board with "Thanksgiving Comes First!" Other than St. Patrick's Day, it's my favorite holiday (even if I do work for an Indian tribe). Love it!

    jenny, MUST you shop at Wal-Mart? : )

    I think Palin did a great job last night, regardless of having to stay "in bounds." Her years in television served her VERY well.

    I find her enthusiasm for putting this country on a better track to be honest and even compelling. She definitely connected with the "Joe Six Pack"s of America.

    So, despite my erstwhile concern about Palin's religious extremism, my vote is now officially up for grabs again.

    My spouse, Mary, said she might vote for Palin, "just to look at her for four years."

    I understand that. Afterall, you've gotta love this pic of Palin, don'tcha?

    Being former military women, we find it quite appealing. ; )

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  4. Sorry to hear about your pain! I hate those drugs. Yes, they take the pain away, but they make me so loopy and groggy, I'd rather take "regular" pain-killers and suffer a little. But that's just me.
    I've not seen the debate (no tv), but I did read snippets of transcripts. I just feel uncomfortable watching debates, I'm always waiting for everyone to screw up!

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  5. Any more I'd settle for "Not before Halloween" as I am already seeing things in stores.

    Sharing the bad tooth gene, you have my complete sympathy...

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  6. I'm sorry about the root canal and hoping you're feeling better today.

    I had a root canal once and I agree, it's the noise and the time and the instruments and the dental assistant that makes it so bad.

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  7. I have yet to watch the entire debate. I turned off the TV after one of Biden's many lies because I was about to throw something at it, and I like my TV.
    Hope you feel better!

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  8. Buck are you feeling better now?

    As far as the holiday season, I don't mind seeing Christmas ads and decorations and sales ONCE Halloween is over. I do like to have the month of November to focus on getting ready for Christmas. But if it comes pre-Halloweenm, then by Christmas, we are completely sick of it.

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  9. Thanksgiving Comes First: I like it. I'm on board with it. I'm sick to death of debating with the secularist types whether or not there is a God, watching the point go whistling right over their heads...that a civilized society has a great deal of trouble existing strongly for any length of time if people just think they're here and aren't being expected to do something. Then life becomes nothing but welfare payments, blogging, video games and Red Bull.

    If you don't want to believe in God, then just be thankful before lusting after what you want Santa Claus to bring ya. If you make a point of that you'll probably end up believing in God. But if not, just as well. (Don't want to get into that too deep, and I'm sure you don't either.) Just show some damn gratitude and plow a few brain cycles into thinking how good you have it before chasing your next li'l iPod or dog-in-purse or what-not. THAT is the important thing there, and I think your friend there has identified a root cause in how we've gone astray, as well as a good remedy for how we can find our way again.

    "Palin won. Among thinking men and women who have real responsibilities, there can be no question."

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  10. Buck,
    1). I too, boycott establishments that bring out Christmas before Thanksgiving and I have been doing that for many years. I was in a Home Depot just this morning and they were clearing out an area (where the Lawn Mowers are usually displayed). I stood there looking at the four or five "associates" packing stuff up and when a Tie and White Shirter approached I mentioned (at higher volume) to TBH (The Better Half) who was with me that we better hurry and buy every thing we need from Home Depot for the rest of the year because I won't be back in one till the new year. The "manager" gave me a quizzical and I waved my hands over the general area and said that they were spoiling Christmas by selling it too early. He just walked away.

    So, I'll be buying my home improvement stuff at Lowe's (even though it is much farther away than the Home Depot. I like their NASCAR driver better anyway.

    2). Dental work, You poor guy. I am fortunate (well maybe not) but I had most of my teeth taken out in an accident with an A-7 Corsair-II while assigned to the USS Independence. The Navy sent me to the Philadelphia Navy Shipyard to get them replaced and let me tell ya, they did a remarkable job. One can hardly tell they are fake until of course I open a can with them or crush black walnuts or something like that. They were masters of building marine screws (for submarines) and teeth there at PNSY and then they CLOSED the place. BRACKed right out of existence. Ship storage and Condos there now for the most part. Real shame.

    3). Yeah, I think Sarah won that debate as well but she sure left a lot on the table. Could have really gutted Biden and BO at the same time. She did not mention the Democrat tinkering of the CRA which is what allowed Freddie and Fanny to loosen up their Credit requirements and start pushing for more lending. How the Dem's protected Freddie and Fanny and She could have really scored mentioning how BO is #2 on the list of Cash recipients from "donations" made by Freddie and Fanny (which is amazing since he has only been in office for a paltry 3 years). She could have stabbed BO really good by defending Her executive experience as more qualifying for the Presidential Office than BO's by mentioning how many Governors have been elected to the job instead of Senators (28 years over the last 32 we have been governed by ex-Governors and only 4 by an ex-Senator). I did like how she used Biden's own words to criticize BO, she could have done that more since he put so much out there to use.

    Yeah, I think she is a winner and win or loose this time around, I hope she stays involved enough to run for president on her own the next time up.

    Lastly - I will be in ABQ for next weekend. Visiting my parents, my mother is not doing too well health wise. My SN2, the Marine will be flying in from San Diego to be with us. Should be good for all to see him, been maybe 10 years since they saw him last. I can't wait to get my hands on some real Chile!!! Green, Red, on burgers, in salads or soups or stew, I don't care. I just want to fly back to Philly with the intestinal distress you only get by too much of the Chile.

    BT: Jimmy T sends.

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  11. Sharon sez: I thought Sarah Palin hit a grand slam home run out of the ball park for many reasons:

    ...

    Also, Buck, I agree with you, the McCain campaign has been incompetent ... and I think it is just too late to salvage things.


    Good points all, Sharon. That's pretty much the way I saw it, too. I hope it's not too late for McCain. But he DOES need to get a grip, and SOON.

    Jenny sez: I agree about the Christmas stuff. I noticed at Walmart last week they already had two aisles of holiday stuff out. Thanksgiving first. HA! At least let Halloween come and go first! LOL!

    It's a sad, sad thing when we lower our expectations to say "not before Halloween!", innit? I saw the stuff at Wally-World, too... but what are ya gonna do? Except COMPLAIN, and that's what I intend to do...

    Good on your guys for winning that game, btw.

    Lori sez: jenny, MUST you shop at Wal-Mart? : )

    and

    So, despite my erstwhile concern about Palin's religious extremism, my vote is now officially up for grabs again.

    We really MUST shop at Wally-World, unless we wanna drive 40 miles round-trip to Clovis (or apprx. 30 miles to the base and back, for me). There are few alternatives in P-Ville, and there are a LOT of small towns in this very same boat. I'm thankful for Wal-Mart.

    Your vote being up for grabs is GOOD news, Lori... for whatever reason. Think McCain!!

    Christina sez: Sorry to hear about your pain! I hate those drugs. Yes, they take the pain away, but they make me so loopy and groggy, I'd rather take "regular" pain-killers and suffer a little. But that's just me.

    I didn't go to the industrial-strength pain killers; I stayed with OTC Aleve. I feel the same way about the serious stuff, Christina. I don't like being "out of it." Thanks for the kind words!

    Amy sez: I'm sorry about the root canal and hoping you're feeling better today.

    I had a root canal once and I agree, it's the noise and the time and the instruments and the dental assistant that makes it so bad.


    Thanks, Amy. Yesterday was dicey, today is much better! I agree with everything you said... except for the assistant bit. Dr. T's assistants are really, really good... and I'm thankful for that!

    Susan sez: I have yet to watch the entire debate. I turned off the TV after one of Biden's many lies because I was about to throw something at it, and I like my TV.
    Hope you feel better!


    Hmmm. We have the same sort of habits. You have NO idea how long and hard I've searched for a foam-rubber brick I can toss at the teevee on occasions like this... ;-)

    Thanks for the good wishes.

    Sharon sez: As far as the holiday season, I don't mind seeing Christmas ads and decorations and sales ONCE Halloween is over.

    My Bud Jim writes about the necessity of what he calls "the silence" in between holidays, and he makes a GREAT point. I'm still holding out for "not until after Thanksgiving," but that's sorta like King Canute and the tides, ain't it?

    Morgan sez: Thanksgiving Comes First: I like it. I'm on board with it. I'm sick to death of debating with the secularist types...

    Agreed on most counts, Morgan.

    Jimmy: I'm sorry to hear about your Mom's health, but glad to hear you'll be coming home for a while... and your son, too.

    We've talked about dental work before... and I have mixed emotions about whether you're better off as you are today, or not. I feel your pain about bases being BRAC'ed right out of existence. Nearly ALL of the places I served in my 22 years are gone now... overrun by weeds, if they exist at all. But that's the difference between radar sites and full-blown bases.

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  12. I hope you get to "feelin' no pain" soon. Do eat - even if it shakes or malts.

    From what I saw, Palin did a good job, but then those shifty eyes of Joe's have always been a turn-off.

    Thanksgiving first is a good idea. We always do up a big T-Day rather than Christmas. In fact, lets do away with the whole greed thing at Christmas.

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  13. Lori: Buck pretty much answered your question for me. There are TWO grocery stores in P-ville, one of those is Walmart, and I don't too much like going to the other unless I have to. It's also the only toy store, only place to buy DVDs or CDs or PS2 games for my kids (ok, for me too), there is no other place in town to buy any fabric for sewing or craft stuff. For Buck, Clovis is 40 miles round trip. For me, Clovis is about 85 miles round trip (it's 25 just to Pville). So yeah, I MUST use Walmart. Besides, our Walmart isn't like most. I know about half the employees and none seem disgruntled, and for me, always helpful. They do alot of support for the local community, too.

    BTW, I know life without the Walmart. It wasn't built here til 1999. Not much went out of business when they arrived, we lost the seedier grocery store a few years afterwards.

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  14. buck..this is my first visit to your blog...I like what I read! Hopefully, you are feeling better today! I could not agree more with the Thanksgiving Comes First mindset. My daughters and I have enjoyed the Black Friday tradition since they were teens! Stopped by Lowe's yesterday... Christmas everywhere! UGH! Too early!

    I look forward to *reading* you again soon!


    ~AirmanMom returning to her blog...

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  15. Buck - hope this finds you feeling much better and up to your usual activities with gusto!

    I happily posted about Thanksgiving Comes First - here.

    Palin knocked it out - she was dynamic, down-to-earth and thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

    That said - sadly I agree with you Buck. McCain has been inept at best - he has SO much ammunition at his fingertips to bury Obama in his associations and friends, yet he does nothing with it. I just don't understand that.

    Which makes me very afraid that, as you exhorted me months ago, I best get used to saying President Obama (GACK!).

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  16. Lou sez: I hope you get to "feelin' no pain" soon. Do eat - even if it shakes or malts.

    I've eating, Lou... but thanks for the reminder! {BIG ol' grin!}

    I'm thinking things didn't go well with this root canal, as I'm still experiencing pain. That's NOT normal, based on previous and similar experiences. I think I may lose this tooth, but more will be revealed tomorrow when I go in for a follow-up.

    Your other points are well-taken, as usual!

    Jenny: Well said, and I didn't mean to answer Lori for you, specifically. We feel the same way, in this space... but the distances involved are much more applicable to you.

    AirmanMom: Thanks for dropping by, and I hope to see more of you soon, as well!!

    Kris: Thanks for joining the campaign! I'm sure Jim will be pleased.

    And yeah... we're on the same page, vis-a-vis McCain. That said: It's NEVER too late!! Miracles DO happen! "Dewey Defeats Truman!" (Did I leave anything out?)

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  17. Buck:

    Thanks, my friend! All good folks, like you, who gave me the love will get same in return come Friday :-)

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  18. I agree with what you said. Lipstick or no, it's time McCain un-muzzles the pit-bull.

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  19. Definitely checking out the Thanksgiving First link. I stopped in Dollar General last week to pick up a few things and half the damn store was Christmas stuff now.... the first week of October. Totally ridiculous. And I didn't find half the stuff I wanted because I'm sure they had to make room for their Christmas stock. Their Halloween section was pitifully small and you would think now would be the time people are buying for that.

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  20. Jim: My pleasure. Thank YOU for doing what you're doing!

    Phlegmmy: It's PAST time McCain got serious. I just hope it's not too late.

    Laurie: The Dollar General folks seem to be the most egregious in this space, from comments I've read in other places. I'm glad you're on board!

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  21. Buck:

    Thanks much for the "Thanksgiving Comes First" post. I'll be doing a round-up of all those who posted similar things, this coming Friday.

    Oh, my, the dental pains you and I have been through! I feel for you, as you feel for me. Damn.

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  22. Jim and Kathryn: I almost missed your comments, since you commented on the "old" post. But thanks for re-visiting!

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