First Impressions.
Wow! Suprising! Smart!
Of course she's from Alaska, another big oil producing state. And with all the government corruption up there with Senator Stevens and his bridge to nowhere, one can definately see pay for play politics at its highest form.
By picking someone three years younger than Obama, McCain just made himself the biggest hypocrite possible. Throughout his campaign he's been knocking Obama for his youth and lack of experience - foreign policy and in everything else. Now he picks someone three years younger than Obama. A person who will take over if something happens to McCain. Someone who has less experience than Obama in politics and Washington.
Obama and the editorials should have a field day with this. If McCain says anything about Obama's lack of experience, Obama only has to point out that McCain feels Palin is capable of taking over as commander-in-chief if something should befall him - because that is the primary role of a VP.
Realistic, rational, best-for-our-country thinking aside, I think McCain's camp made a brilliant choice in choosing a female VP. He should've chosen a women perhaps ten years older just for the experience quotient, but still a good move.
I am sure a number of women and maybe some others who were voting for Hillary because she was a woman, will switch their votes. I don't know how many, but there will definately be some.
As long as Palin is a capable speaker and debater she can only help McCain. I don't know enough about her to know if she is or not. Her speech at next week's Republican Convention will be very telling.
The only way McCain's choice for VP will backfire is if during the VP debate, Biden is able to talk circle arounds Palin much like Kerry did to Bush during their first debate. Adding to that train of thought, Obama's camp will need to remind people that if something happens to the elderly McCain, Palin would be the President. Right now.
I don't think it'll draw away the youth vote from Obama who were voting for Obama because his youthfulness in and of itself symbolized change. The reason: McCain is still have an old geezer with conservative ideals and out of touch with the average American and he'll be making policy not her.
This pick will help McCain and keep the race tight. But it will also make some of McCain's most effective attacks against Obama - inexperience - less effective.
****
I think if McCain is elected or even if he fails, four years from now - or eight - she could definately be a top candidate for presidency - if she is capable and not another Dan Quayle. Wow, imagine for the women of this country a Clinton vs. Palin election in 2012 or 2016.
Of course, I've said all this without knowing much about her. Only that she is three years younger than Obama, a woman, governor of Alaska, strong anti-abortionist and has a child in the National Guard. I know nothing about how she runs Alaska. It'll be interesting to learn more.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Da Vinci Code
I know the book came out five years ago and I've already seen the movie, but after reading a few dry and slow moving books I decided to read a record breaking bestseller because it had to be good. I mean, millions of people couldn't be wrong.
They weren't.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code. It had an engaging plot. All the historical back story was relevant. I was interested in every character. The antagonists' motives were understandable. There were clear delinations of P.O.V. And finally, the way Dan Brown broke up the chapters - most of them short to very short - made for a quick read.
This was one of the best books I've read in awhile.
If you need something negative, the only thing I didn't get was the identity of the principal antagonist. I'll say no more.
They weren't.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code. It had an engaging plot. All the historical back story was relevant. I was interested in every character. The antagonists' motives were understandable. There were clear delinations of P.O.V. And finally, the way Dan Brown broke up the chapters - most of them short to very short - made for a quick read.
This was one of the best books I've read in awhile.
If you need something negative, the only thing I didn't get was the identity of the principal antagonist. I'll say no more.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football - I love it. But it's definately for someone without a family.
---A quick indoctrination for those of you unfamiliary with Fantasy Football (FFL), FFL is where ten to twelve people (players) get together and form a league. Then each player picks a roster of National League Football players for their fantasy team, and monitors their progress over the NFL season getting points depending on how well their players perform.---
My friend and I had a laugh the other night about how we used to mail, fax and phone calls in order to make changes to our roster and update our statistics every week when we first started. And then ESPN came along with their online league for $29.99 and did everything at the touch of a button. Now joining a league is free. How times have progressed.
But back to the point of why FFL isn't for a family man. This week was our league's draft. I'd purchased one of those fantasy guide books as I had every year for the last eleven years and joined the same league I've been in for just as long. After getting the boys to bed, I tried to cram my football research into my head, but most nights I found myself waking up in the wee hours of the morning with the guide book on the floor, the couch or my chest not sure where I left off, but sure I hadn't progressed more than a page.
Doing well in FFL (Fantasy Football) requires lots of research. More than that, it requires watching the games. Sure a family man can read the papers and statistics after the kids go to bed, but as for watching the games forget it. Especially, after Monday Night Football left ABC for ESPN. And watching football is the most important thing a Fantasy Footballer can do. That's the only way one can really get a feel for how NFL players and NFL teams are doing. The drop balls. The steadiness of a quarterback in the pocket. How good the running back really is versus the offensive or opposing defensive line.
So John, why don't you watch the games, you ask For example, have your kids watch the game with you or tell the wife you're going out? First, young kids are hard pressed to sit still and watch anything for three hours that doesn't have light sabers or hot wheels flashing across the screen. Not to mention constantly wanting your attention (I've got my kids to sit through a quarter of football, but that's it.) As for leaving the wife and kids to go to a bar? A weekend consists of two days. Do I really want to give up one of those two days to watch football instead of being with the kids? It's a hard choice, but in the end, the kids win out-most of the time.
So my FFL record:
Prekids - most years I reached the playoff round.
Since the kids - I don't think I've made it once.
Why do I keep playing? I like it. Also, when I tried to bow out last year my old friends used all kinds of creative terms to force me to maintain some sense of male pride. It's also given me ample ammunition into shaming anyone of those "old friends" who try to bow out now.
So if you're that guy who bowed out this year or the other guy who thought about it, don't forget to put on your skirt the next time you step outside.
---A quick indoctrination for those of you unfamiliary with Fantasy Football (FFL), FFL is where ten to twelve people (players) get together and form a league. Then each player picks a roster of National League Football players for their fantasy team, and monitors their progress over the NFL season getting points depending on how well their players perform.---
My friend and I had a laugh the other night about how we used to mail, fax and phone calls in order to make changes to our roster and update our statistics every week when we first started. And then ESPN came along with their online league for $29.99 and did everything at the touch of a button. Now joining a league is free. How times have progressed.
But back to the point of why FFL isn't for a family man. This week was our league's draft. I'd purchased one of those fantasy guide books as I had every year for the last eleven years and joined the same league I've been in for just as long. After getting the boys to bed, I tried to cram my football research into my head, but most nights I found myself waking up in the wee hours of the morning with the guide book on the floor, the couch or my chest not sure where I left off, but sure I hadn't progressed more than a page.
Doing well in FFL (Fantasy Football) requires lots of research. More than that, it requires watching the games. Sure a family man can read the papers and statistics after the kids go to bed, but as for watching the games forget it. Especially, after Monday Night Football left ABC for ESPN. And watching football is the most important thing a Fantasy Footballer can do. That's the only way one can really get a feel for how NFL players and NFL teams are doing. The drop balls. The steadiness of a quarterback in the pocket. How good the running back really is versus the offensive or opposing defensive line.
So John, why don't you watch the games, you ask For example, have your kids watch the game with you or tell the wife you're going out? First, young kids are hard pressed to sit still and watch anything for three hours that doesn't have light sabers or hot wheels flashing across the screen. Not to mention constantly wanting your attention (I've got my kids to sit through a quarter of football, but that's it.) As for leaving the wife and kids to go to a bar? A weekend consists of two days. Do I really want to give up one of those two days to watch football instead of being with the kids? It's a hard choice, but in the end, the kids win out-most of the time.
So my FFL record:
Prekids - most years I reached the playoff round.
Since the kids - I don't think I've made it once.
Why do I keep playing? I like it. Also, when I tried to bow out last year my old friends used all kinds of creative terms to force me to maintain some sense of male pride. It's also given me ample ammunition into shaming anyone of those "old friends" who try to bow out now.
So if you're that guy who bowed out this year or the other guy who thought about it, don't forget to put on your skirt the next time you step outside.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Most important event on 8/8/08
I know everyone expects me to say the Olympics, but what struck me as the most important event to begin that day was Russia's invasion of Georgia.
It's the first time the old Bear invaded another soverign nation since Afghanistan. As of today, four days after hositilities began between Russia and Georgia, there is a shaky cease-fire. What was most amazing to me, was the overwhelming amount of force Russia used against Georgia to supposedly defend their soldiers and citizens in South Ossetia. Yes, Georgia was stupid for thinking they could just waltz into South Ossetia and the Russian "Peacekeepers" would just melt across the border back into Russia proper. It should've been obvious that they were just waiting for a reason to punish Georgia for leaving the Communist Bloc and seeking membershiop in NATO. That Georgia allowed themselves to be baited so cleanly, caused over 2,000 people to be killed. The speed with which Russia counterattacked Georgia, the volume of forces arrayed against Georgia proved that Russia was waiting for an appropriate provocation. The rhetoric out of Russia all these years telling Georgia to leave Souther... alone or else, matched the rhetoric of Georgia's president saying he would take back Souther... at all cost.
If the ceasefire does hold, the result will be that all the newly independent countries in Central Asia that emerged from the fall of the Soviet Union now realize just how tenuous U.S. support is for their regimes. If Russia herself - not a satellite like Serbia - sets foot on another country's soil, the US will back away, rather than face a full blown war.
Russia is back, and as aggressive as ever.
It's the first time the old Bear invaded another soverign nation since Afghanistan. As of today, four days after hositilities began between Russia and Georgia, there is a shaky cease-fire. What was most amazing to me, was the overwhelming amount of force Russia used against Georgia to supposedly defend their soldiers and citizens in South Ossetia. Yes, Georgia was stupid for thinking they could just waltz into South Ossetia and the Russian "Peacekeepers" would just melt across the border back into Russia proper. It should've been obvious that they were just waiting for a reason to punish Georgia for leaving the Communist Bloc and seeking membershiop in NATO. That Georgia allowed themselves to be baited so cleanly, caused over 2,000 people to be killed. The speed with which Russia counterattacked Georgia, the volume of forces arrayed against Georgia proved that Russia was waiting for an appropriate provocation. The rhetoric out of Russia all these years telling Georgia to leave Souther... alone or else, matched the rhetoric of Georgia's president saying he would take back Souther... at all cost.
If the ceasefire does hold, the result will be that all the newly independent countries in Central Asia that emerged from the fall of the Soviet Union now realize just how tenuous U.S. support is for their regimes. If Russia herself - not a satellite like Serbia - sets foot on another country's soil, the US will back away, rather than face a full blown war.
Russia is back, and as aggressive as ever.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Paris Hilton for President
How could someone not vote for her after this speech:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/05/paris-hilton-responds-to_n_117137.html
It was one of the most intelligent comments on energy policy I've heard a politician give this year. Her being photogenic doesn't hurt either. But don't worry McCainanites and Obamasans, unfortunately she's under the legal age limit so I have to vote for one of your candidates.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/05/paris-hilton-responds-to_n_117137.html
It was one of the most intelligent comments on energy policy I've heard a politician give this year. Her being photogenic doesn't hurt either. But don't worry McCainanites and Obamasans, unfortunately she's under the legal age limit so I have to vote for one of your candidates.
Friday, August 1, 2008
"...terrific premise...", but...
On the cover of the sci-fi novel, The Sky People, the following is a blurb by Publisher's Weekly "Rollicking...(A) terrific premise."
While I have to agree that the story has a terrific premise, I don't agree with the rollicking part. It'd be interesting to see what the full review by Publisher's Weekly said.
The premise of cold war settlements on Venus interacting with alien races and what happens when the aliens obtain a bunch of AK47s sounds cool. Stirling created a vivid world and explained in great detail how things were similiar and disimiliar to earth. Flipping through the book now, I notice the author used a preponderance of long paragraphs filled with richly, detailed descriptions. Unfortunately our protagonist was mirred in these lenghty descriptions, while some of the side stories were much more exciting.
I set the book down at page 55, but whether it was because my mind was on other things or my mind wasn't in a sci-fi mode this month I've determined not to finish it. I left off where the protagonist went on a science expedition, that he himself was not excited about, which in turn left me uninterested. It was time to move on.
While I have to agree that the story has a terrific premise, I don't agree with the rollicking part. It'd be interesting to see what the full review by Publisher's Weekly said.
The premise of cold war settlements on Venus interacting with alien races and what happens when the aliens obtain a bunch of AK47s sounds cool. Stirling created a vivid world and explained in great detail how things were similiar and disimiliar to earth. Flipping through the book now, I notice the author used a preponderance of long paragraphs filled with richly, detailed descriptions. Unfortunately our protagonist was mirred in these lenghty descriptions, while some of the side stories were much more exciting.
I set the book down at page 55, but whether it was because my mind was on other things or my mind wasn't in a sci-fi mode this month I've determined not to finish it. I left off where the protagonist went on a science expedition, that he himself was not excited about, which in turn left me uninterested. It was time to move on.
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