I Can See That The Press Still Wants To Be Irresponsible

Thanks to my brother Alex, I got to read the NY Times Article about the press still calling the election before the voting is done. The RCOB moment:

Similarly, the editor of the Web site Slate, David Plotz, said in an e-mail message that “if Obama is winning heavily,” he could see calling the race “sometime between 8 and 9.”

“Our readers are not stupid, and we shouldn’t engage in a weird Kabuki drama that pretends McCain could win California and thus the presidency,” Mr. Plotz wrote. “We will call it when a sensible person — not a TV news anchor who has to engage in a silly pretense about West Coast voters — would call it.”

This would be the same Slate that jumped on the bandwagon of anyone not voting for Obama being "RACIST!!!1!!", so we no how authoritative and impartial they are.

As one of those West Coast voters, suggest that Mr. Plotz go play in traffic. Blindfolded.

I Earned My Right To Continue Speaking Out

After getting the boys out the door and fixing my hair, I got in the car and drove to my polling place. I stood in line, and before long, an elderly black gentleman in an "Obama for President" shirt and a Purple Heart baseball cap came up and stood next to the front door, so everyone could see his shirt. An older gentleman in line in front of me looked at the RCW section posted on the door, and said to the other man standing by the door "You're standing too close."
The elderly black gentleman pretended not to hear. The gentleman repeated himself. This time the elderly black gentleman said "I paid my dues, sir."
The gentleman said "I never said you didn't, but the law says you have to stand 300 feet away from the polls." A poll worker saw what was going on and told the elderly black gentleman that he was violating the law and standing too close to the door. They needed more voters from the back half of the alphabet, so I went in. He wasn't there when I came out. If I see him on the 11 o'clock news bitching about "being intimidated at the polls", I just might scream.

The Press Tells Diogenes, "Baby, Put Out That Lamp, and Come To Bed. I Got What You Need."

Free sex toys — and much more — for voting
Businesses across nation ready to reward citizens for casting their ballots
By Mike Stuckey
Senior news editor
msnbc.com

Just when you thought it was safe to focus on the issues in this historic election season, a chain of sex toy shops has joined retailers, restaurateurs and other businesses across the nation in the time-honored tradition of rewarding Americans who go to the polls.

Because nothing makes me think of sex like politics.

Babeland, with stores in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle, is offering a pair of self-gratifying incentives for voters who present their registration cards, ballot stubs or “word of honor” that they voted next Tuesday.

How will they deal with multiple stubs from the ACORN-registered voters?

The rewards are no-so-subtle reminders of this year’s campaign rhetoric. For men, it’s the “Maverick,” a "sleeve" for self-pleasuring. According to a press release, “He’s always there to lend a hand, he works for every man, and he bucks the status quo.” Women can choose the “Silver Bullet” mini-vibrator, which is “a magical solution to difficult problems” and “a great stress-reliever during these troubled economic times!” The promotion lasts through Nov. 11.

The idea for an Obama-related toy was abandoned. No one has yet found a way to successfully sell being slipped a mickey, and waking up alone and sticky in a hotel room with an empty wallet. They can always consult David Axelrod after the campaign. He seems to have found a way to successfully sell something similar.

Babeland spokeswoman Pamela Doan told msnbc.com in an interview that the promotion is a first for the company, which she describes as “a sex-positive, women-friendly retailer for sex toys and accessories.”

I don't think anyone is truly "sex-adverse", although more than a few of us would prefer not having it occur within sight of our children, especially when its guy-guy- or girl-girl.

Although the company is relying on press releases and bloggers to get the word out, “We’re expecting a good response,” Doan said. “Both of these toys are very popular. The Maverick retails for $20 and the Silver Bullet retails for $15. It’s a good reward.”

I think there is a message here somewhere...something about getting screwed by an important act and still having to do all the work.

'Sex crosses party lines'
As to whether Babeland expects voters who take them up on the offer to lean one way or the other politically, Doan said, “Sex crosses party lines. … We’ve tried to make this into a nonpartisan reward because we welcome everyone. That’s our philosophy and our mission. We didn’t want to reward only Obama supporters. We have a lot of Republicans who shop at Babeland too.”

Actually a smart thing. They cater to a universal market. I wonder how much they'll dig an Obama tax scheme.

If the sex toys don’t float your vote, there are plenty of other less racy rewards to choose from in the afterglow of casting your ballot.

"Afterglow?" Voting conjures many different concepts in my mind, but it has never made me orgasmic. I think the author is going to choke on his own purple prose.

How about a free cup of Joe? Starbucks stores across the nation and Eat’n Park outlets in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia are among many U.S. restaurants offering complimentary coffee to anyone who presents a ballot stub or “I Voted” sticker.

I like the whole "incentive for voting" thing, but I do it 'cause its important, not because Starbucks will give me a bitter cup of coffee for my trouble.

Voters can get a beer on the house at Todd Conner’s pub in Baltimore’s historic Fells Point neighborhood.

I predict he'll have a busy night.

An Object Lesson...For Both Sides

From the evil AP, who still refuses to pay bloggers for directing traffic to their pathetic excuse for a news organization comes a story of a Grosse Pointe Woods resident who refused to give Halloween treats to "Obama supporters, liars, tricksters or kids of supporters."

Naturally, this story is so newsworthy that the AP had to report on it. It was after all a lesson for such people in choices. You make a choice that will take away from me, I can do the same. But my absolute favorite part?

"When asked about children who were turned away empty-handed and crying,"

That damn sense of entitlement rears its ugly head again. Turned away crying? Seems like a bit much to me. Last time I looked, we still had a choice about who we share our bounty with. Another reason to look forward to Obama's HOPE! and CHANGE!, I guess. Mandatory Halloween Candy for all!

Am I The Only One Who Sees This Clearly?

Right now, the Dhimicrats are fielding a candidate who seems to be equal parts incompetent and frightening, at least to anyone with three or more functioning brain cells. He switches positions more than John "I was in Vietnam" Kerry, and will throw anybody under the bus. Longtime Pastor? Under the Bus with you. Fundraiser and all-around financial ne'er do well? Under the bus with you? Nutroots you don't need now that you aced out that cracker Shrillery for the nomination? Under the bus with you. Stated policy stance in the past now too inconvenient because it repels those all too important centrist voters? No problem. Change your position and pass it off as some sort epiphany when you change your mind.

Anyone so eager to become President that he cannot pick a position and stick to it, cannot give an answer to a simple question without a script, and cannot introduce any idea for "reform" and "change" that hasn't already been tried and failed, sometimes at the cost of many, many lives simply has no business being President. Either he is a duplicitous liar, or he such tragically bad judgement that he simply isn't ready for the big chair. The real question is why so many people who are in a position to lay these weaknesses bare have chosen to get behind his candidacy. Are they just ragingly incompetent themselves, or do they really hate this country that much? I think we all need to be watching and considering this carefully in the coming months.

This was posted at the Rott.

I think the DNC probably wets itself every time they hear him speak.



Yes, it matters. Now more than ever.