Whence the Venom?

As the end of the "never ending" presidential campaign finally draws near, some retrospection may be profitable.

It was a season of surprises. In the beginning, everyone thought Hillary was a slam dunk winner. At one point, McCain's campaign seemed moribund and many pundits wrote him off. Religious bigotry surfaced and single-handedly slew the campaign of an otherwise highly qualified Mitt Romney (not that I agree with his politics). One candidate discovered that $400 haircuts were a political kiss of death. A man with black heritage became a major party nominee for the very first time.

One of the big regrets I have is that so much of this history making activity occurred in such an ugly, venomous environment. Why does our political discourse have to be so nasty and full of personal attacks?

As I pondered this question I began listing plausible answers. Was it the nature of our two-party system and the hyper-polarized background it creates? Was it the winner-take-all system we have created as opposed to the parliamentary model popular in Europe? What makes politicians willing to attempt to demonize and dehumanize their opponents with statements that would be considered criminally false and slanderous in a court of law?

I thought about a good friend of mine who is very conservative and very Republican (and I mean very). Some months ago I won a steak dinner bet with him by telling him to put his money where his mouth was. His mouth was saying, with absolute certainty, that Hillary would win both the Democratic nomination AND the Presidency. I tried to tell him that it was his fear talking, but he wouldn't listen.

Not that I mind winning the steak dinner, but it bothered me that my friend had succumbed to the Republican party's not-so-subtle efforts to position Hillary Clinton as the anti-Christ. My friend is a highly intelligent man, a mover and shaker, a man eminently respectable in so many ways. Yet he still bought the vicious RNC spin and it ended up costing him.

Don't get me wrong--I am NO Hillary fan. My personal dislike for her is rather intense, but it is based on her stated policies and what I consider to be some obvious and rather ugly character flaws. (Number one is that power is the air she breathes. I think she and her husband crave it above all other things. A close second: she kept Bill around for what appeared to be political reasons after he spat upon their marriage.) My point is this: whatever her shortcomings may be, she is not evil incarnate, and has accomplished much good for her constituents. My dislike for her is rational, not visceral.

That difference is the reason I was able to clearly see what my friend could not. As a result, my rationality has provided very nicely for my visceral needs at the Ruth's Chris over in Irvine. :-D

It may be that this experience provides a partial answer to my original question: why the venom? Why the idiotic, patently false, slanderous character attacks throughout the campaign season?

Because they often work effectively. And that is a stinging indictment of the American public.

My friend fell for it when it targeted Hillary. John McCain's friend, that old lady who stood up in his town hall meeting as millions of TV viewers watched and said something to the effect of, "I am afraid of Obama. He's an Arab and a terrorist, isn't he?" She bought it too. The guy who emphasized Obama's middle name, "Hussein", as a McCain rally introduction--he bought it too. No doubt millions of others have bought it.

Maybe politicians do that crap because too large a percentage of the American public will not only listen to it but swallow it whole.

If that is the case, I think you have to ask if we deserve any better than we are getting now.

I dream of a system where sloppy political proposals are non-starters. A system where the process forces all sides to sharpen their views and bend them to reality as their errors and excesses are exposed and corrected. I dream of a system where partisan punches never land below the belt, and the judges are all post-partisan.

Something is going to change. Congress may be able to ignore their dismal job approval ratings, but they can't ignore the fact that registration in the two major parties is steadily declining, with Democrats currently counting 43% of registered voters and Republicans 33%. A growing chunk (24%) of the American public belongs to neither one of them.

Caveat gubernare.

Instant Relief for a Stuffy Nose

Found in the "you may not believe this" file:

There are many pharmaceutical and mechanical remedies for common nasal congestion and stuffiness. Here's one you can use anywhere, instantly.

Place the tips of your forefingers beside the base of each nostril, along the line where your lip and nose meet. You should feel a tiny bump on each side as you apply gentle pressure. Maintain gentle pressure at these two points for 30 to 60 seconds and see what happens.

If you break out in song, let me know.

Prop 8 and Schoolchildren

I have listened to both sides of the Prop 8 battle concerning the issue of public school instruction concerning "same-sex marriage". I have actually read the applicable parts of the California state statutes.

It is difficult for me to fully accept the assertion that California schoolchildren will never be taught about "same-sex marriage" if Prop 8 fails, regardless of the parental opt-outs included in current state statutes. It is quite plausible to me that those statutes could change in the future if Prop 8 fails, as they did in Massachusetts when that state legalized "same-sex marriage".

This letter provides details of the legal reasoning behind my thinking. If any Prop 8 opponents want to comment on the contents of this letter, I'd welcome it.

A Victim's Lament

My wife and I have been initiated into the crime victim's club.

Someone stole the "Yes on Proposition 8" sign from our front lawn.

Apparently there is some organization to this "crime wave" in our city. Not only are signs disappearing from lawns, but someone spray painted "Prop H8te" on the big signs in front of the Union Bank building. Five people were arrested yesterday under suspicion of stealing Prop 8 signs and committing associated vandalism. Police caught them with the evidence in their vehicles--destroyed Prop 8 signs.

It seems likely to me that these people consider themselves heroes for their cause which, apparently, is the defeat of Proposition 8. Noble freedom fighters for justice, no doubt, bravely willing to risk jail for their beliefs. High-fiving each other after every theft.

I wonder if they know how many crimes they actually committed in their tantrum of personal expression?

Our sign was in the center of our lawn, well back from any walkway. They had to enter our property without our permission to take the sign, which is Trespassing. The fact that they took the sign means they entered our property with the intent to commit a crime, which is Criminal Trespass. Then there's the actual stealing of the sign (our personal property), which is Theft. Oh, and the violation of our constitutionally protected civil right to freedom of speech. That's a Federal offense, and a felony.

Freedom fighters? Heroes? I think not. If they had any guts they would let the whole world see them take the sign. Instead, they sneak in and steal, hiding their identities like the cowards they really are. They have chosen to wear the mask of the criminal.

I obviously don't care about the financial value of the sign, and people walk on my lawn every day, I suppose. But violate my constitutional right to freedom of speech and I care a whole lot about that.

I don't know if they'll ever be caught. But I do know I have lots more "Yes on Proposition 8" signs. Oh, and next time...I hope they smile for the new cameras.

My Case Against McCain

I've taken quite a few potshots at John McCain in this blog. I reckon it's time I gathered my whole case together and present it for your judgment.

The flag-waving, saber-rattling, pseudo-patriotic, "we are number one" behavior McCain exhibits is just stupid. It's horribly dated and and culturally retarded. Think: when was the last time the United States bullied any other nation into complying with our wishes? We simply do not have the ability to do that sort of thing any more to any nation of any size. It's taken us longer to "conquer" Iraq than it took us to conquer Hitler and Tojo, and at least back then we had a clear victory. Even Dubya doesn't use the words "Iraq" and "victory" in the same sentence any more, instead opting for the euphemism, "success".

Five years of torture makes McCain a true hero, but also must have tweaked his psyche. I don't care who combs his hair, but I care a lot whether he has any residual psycho-ticks. I'm not saying he does, but I'm saying I fear even the possibility.

The same personality characteristics that make someone a great jet jockey disqualify them from the Presidency. He is precipitate in both his thoughts and actions, often shooting form the hip (or lip). That personality in a position like the Presidency can be a recipe for disaster. We need intelligence rather than cleverness, control rather than impetuosity, and wisdom rather than action for action's sake.

It is incredibly easy to listen to McCain speak and hear Dubya saying the same things.

His worldview is anachronistic, simplistic and dangerous, and is far more likely to involve us in another war. Unconditional refusal to talk to potential enemies is almost a guarantee to remove the word "potential". His refusal to talk with potential enemies like Iran is pathological. Even General David Petraeus, our most effective commander in Iraq and new head of the U.S Central Command, thinks we should talk to enemies.

McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate says an awful lot about his character. He treats her like a political accessory, keeping her in the dark on big campaign decisions and refusing to let her be interviewed "unchaperoned" by the press. He clearly did not choose her because he thought she was the second most qualified person to be President.

John McCain has already proven that he sacrifices personal principles for political advantage, with the South Carolina incident as a perfect example. Here is the quote as reported by the New York Times: "I feared that if I answered honestly, I could not win the South Carolina primary," Mr. McCain said. "So I chose to compromise my principles. I broke my promise to always tell the truth."

McCain desires power and influence "for their own sake", and was stupid enough to say that in his own book, the 2002 memoir "Worth the Fighting For". The quote: "I have craved distinction in my life. I have wanted renown and influence for their own sake. That is, of course, the great temptation of public life. ... I have never been able to conquer it permanently, but I have tried."

He's in his 70s and has already had four melanomas surgically removed. If he vapor locked and left us with Palin, could we muddle through? Yes, we could. But why should we have to?

In the face of the biggest economic crisis in a hundred years, McCain's principal campaign tactics appear to be portraying his opponent as a terrorist and as a Muslim. We need "straight talk" about the enormous problems that now confront our nation, not lame, racist attempts to smear Barack Obama.

Finally, on a purely emotional note, I just have to say this: McCain's smile creeps me out. Every time he smiles he looks like he is in pain.

Please...let there be no "Bradley effect" that might put a man like McCain in the White House. The way things appear now, the only thing that could keep Obama from the victory he deserves is if American voters show that the plague of racism is still alive and well.

Powell Endorses Obama

Photo provided by NBC.

Colin Powell has joined the line of principled, reasoned, and intelligent leaders who have endorsed the candidacy of Barack Obama. In doing so he broke ranks with his political party and acknowledged our need for a leader of tomorrow, not a leader of yesterday.

I'm finding more and more such people lately. Even my own brother, who is conservative (and for all I know, Republican) informed me today that McCain had failed his criteria for calm, intelligent, and wise leadership.

A quick glance at the front page of today's Los Angeles Times tells the story. There are two photos front and center: one of John McCain working a room at a town hall meeting, the other of Barack Obama on an outdoor platform in Chicago in front of a vast crowd that seemingly stretches to the horizon. Two pictures can be worth ten thousand words.

Eyes and Toes, Eyes and Toes!

The main cause of all the unnecessary pain, and danger, and inconvenience we experience is that we walk with our eyes and toes pointed in different directions. Sometimes literally, sometimes figuratively.

The Blame Game

Recently, a friend of mine held forth that all Americans should be introspective concerning the causes of the financial meltdown our country is going through. Her implication, as I saw it, was that maybe each of us shared a small part of the blame. (It turns out that wasn't exactly what she meant, but it was all I needed to go off like a Roman candle, short-fused curmudgeon that I am.)

Are we all to blame for what is happening?

Well, it sure is hard to feel that way if you:

1) Own only one piece of property and live in it year round
2) Have twice as much equity in the property as you owe on the mortgage
3) Have never even come close to defaulting on the mortgage
4) pay all your bills on time and have a good credit rating

It also seems altogether reasonable to point the finger of blame at the bad actors:

1) The home buyers who wanted that big house, vacation home, or investment property they really could not afford
2) The greedy lenders who loaned them the money anyway
3) The Wall Streeters who took those mortgages and connived and created convoluted mortgage backed securities with which they could speculate, even though they were so complex they could not be valued accurately on any company's books
4) The government regulators who utterly failed to stop all this dangerous activity

I reckon I'll stand by this judgment until someone can convince me otherwise. And I'll continue to reject the notion that ALL of us are somehow to blame.

It is also difficult to refrain from noting on whose watch this all happened. I think millions of Americans must feel the same way.

The piper will be paid on November 4th.

Satire as Truth

Satire, like humor, only really works when it tells an essential truth.
Watch this one all the way to the end.

Proposition 8 in Plain English

The Greatest Generational Gift

Why I Oppose "Same-sex Marriage"

I am unalterably opposed to "same-sex" marriage.

Many people would read that statement and judge me as being an intolerant and hateful bigot.

Not guilty, your honors.

I do not hate, and have never hated, anyone because of their "gender preference". I have relatives and friends who fall into this category. What they do in the privacy of their own homes is their business, and none of mine. Therefore, to me, "nature or nurture" is immaterial.

I oppose "same-sex marriage" for the following reasons (not in any particular order):

1) I believe that widespread societal acceptance of "same-sex marriage" will inevitably damage the social fabric of our society and our civilization.

2) Same-sex domestic partners who register with the State of California are guaranteed the same beneficial, legal rights as heterosexual married couples under the California Domestic Partnership Act of 2005. Proposition 8, which would prevent the application of the label "marriage" to same-sex partnerships, will not change that situation at all.

3) I believe marriage between a man and a woman is an institution ordained of God. The fact that so many heterosexual married couples have failed marriages does not change that fact for me.

4) I believe that every child deserves to be raised by a mother and a father. Individual circumstances sometimes make this impossible. Still, a mother and a father each have important, and distinct, roles to fill in raising a healthy child. Nevertheless, Proposition 8 will have no effect on current adoption policies and practices.

5) I believe that institutionally teaching a young child, without the permission of that child's parents, that "same-sex marriage" is normal and natural should be criminalized.

6) I fear that the legalization of "same-sex marriage" will lead to curbs on my personal freedom of expression, and on the corresponding freedom my Church now exercises under the protection of the federal Constitution. I sincerely hope my fear turns out to be irrational.

7) I have read every page of the California Supreme Court's opinion legalizing gay marriage. I am no lawyer, but as a layman, my fundamental difference of opinion with the Court is that I fail to see a constitutional "right to marry" in either the California or U.S. constitutions. Marriage is a societal institution that FAR predates either document; one might rationally argue that it is above their purview.

I welcome any reasoned, principled, respectful discussion of these issues. People who foam at the mouth can talk to my hand.

I Support Proposition 8

Missing Tata

One year ago today, Charles "Ted" Rowland passed away after a long bout with dementia.

My mother cared for him 24/7/365 until the last few days of his life. I don't have words to describe that kind of courage and love, but I have now witnessed it and will never forget it.

My father rose from a loving but impoverished family and earned everything he ever had the hard way. My parents made sure I never lacked a thing in my life, and had every opportunity they never did. They gave my brother and I all the self-confidence, support, and encouragement we needed to make our way in the world.

Thank you, Mat and Tat.

I miss you, Tat.

John Needed a Knockout

Republican and Democratic pundits alike said McCain needed to clearly win the second presidential debate to have any hope of bouncing back in the polls.

Sorry, John.

Even the Republican pundits on CNN gave the fight to Obama on points.

This election is Obama's to lose.

A Hundred and Out

Ennui. Cubed.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim win a hundred baseball games in the regular season then exit the playoffs in the first round courtesy of the Boston Red Sox, a team they pwned in the regular season by winning 8 of 9 games.

Uggggh.

Arte, please trade Shields. And let K-Rod go. Pay Teixeira to stay. I hate to say it, but you gotta look hard at Big Daddy--his exit could pay for a lot of help.

See ya next year.

Watch Closely as the Real McCain Surfaces

Slipping in the polls and less than 30 days to turn it around, John McCain is beginning to show his true character.

He is angry, and he is desperate. Instead of focusing on the huge, real issues that face this country, he is trying to whip up fear and paranoia among undecided voters by smearing his opponent, basically accusing Obama of being a closet Muslim terrorist.

His tone is reminiscent of a scene from "The Wizard of Oz", where he is shouting, "PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN! I AM THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OZZZzzzzzzz...".



Nope. Just a very ordinary politician who is diving into the gutter out of desperation.

Is this the character of a man who should sit in the White House?

Elite? Moi?

It seems that I've been blissfully unaware that I am a fan of "elites".

Apparently, anyone who has a lot of native intelligence, an education from a good school, a developed worldview, and an accomplished record of achievement is an "elite" in pundit-speak.

It also seems that being an "elite" and having any "common sense" are mutually exclusive in the pundit world. Only the "common man" can have any "common sense". Harry Truman is the patron saint of pundits who believe that "common men" make the best presidents.

Truman may have enjoyed popularity, and I have to say his foreign policy is still held up as an example today. But Harry Truman also did a lot of lesser-known things that weren't particularly wise. Or even constitutional, for that matter. I reckon that being a "common man" is certainly no guarantee of being an exceptional president.

I also reckon that while being an "elite" may put the Presidency closer to your grasp, it is certainly no guarantee of being an exceptional president. I could point to Dubya and rest my case, but I do not see Dubya as an "elite" under the definition stated above. His stunted worldview brought us the Iraq War. His record of "achievement" is not fueled by his native intelligence; it has been lubricated by his family's money and fame and has only shown Dubya for what he really is: a privileged pretender who surrounded himself with the wrong people (with the exception of Colin Powell) and produced one disaster after another. It seems that every time I see him at a microphone, the occasion is a disaster of some kind. I'm not sure what category the pundits have for such a man; he is no "elite" in my book, but he doesn't appear to be carry a hefty amount of common sense either.

I feel the same way about John McCain, as far as he's gone. The parallels are striking. A prominent family who greased the career skids, money never a problem, and now his team has led him into trouble on the campaign trail. His choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate, and the way his campaign has treated her, speaks volumes about his character and judgment.

The only significant difference between Bush and McCain is that John McCain is a military hero, and I mean the real deal.

I will plead guilty to craving an "elite" in the White House. I mean no disrespect to "common sense". But I do agree with George Burns, who once said, "It's too bad all the people who really know how to run the country are driving cabs and cutting hair."

I am beyond weary of watching our president appear so uncomfortable when speaking, and hearing him sputter nonsensical pablum when he does address the nation. I am beyond weary of his incompetent prosecution of a war that, according to George Will, "may go down as the worst foreign policy debacle in our history."

I want a statesman (or statesperson, if you prefer).

Three things differentiate a statesman from a politician. The first is a coherent, realistic vision of a desirable future for the nation. The second is the ability to communicate that vision effectively. The third is to persuade the bulk of the nation to follow him toward that vision. Fail at these, and your job approval rating hovers below 30 percent forever.

John McCain is no statesman. Barack Obama has a shot at becoming one because he is more intelligent, has a far more mature worldview, and is a far better communicator than John McCain. Obama does not yet qualify as an "elite": he does have the education, and the native intelligence, and a worldview that is far more mature and practical than either McCain or Bush. He's still too young to have a compelling track record of accomplishment in government, but my money is on him to become a statesman of some stature in the next 20 years.

Designer Sarah

Sarah Palin finds out the Republican campaign has written off Michigan by reading it in the newspaper the next day. Apparently, her own running mate doesn't take her seriously enough to involve her in big campaign decisions. If I were her, I'd be mad as hell.

I don't think John McCain has ever taken her seriously, and that says a lot to me about his character. I think McCain chose Palin the way a rich woman chooses a new designer purse. It is crystal clear he did not choose her because he thought she was the second most qualified person to run the country. Sarah Palin is, and always has been, a political accessory for John McCain.

For someone who could be "a heartbeat away", she has no substantive experience nor command of the issues (which is why they won't let her speak "unattended"). She reads a script very well. Many people think she is quite attractive.

I've got a suggestion for Governor Palin. If she ever gets tired of the hypocrisy and chauvinism of politics, she's got all of the qualifications Hollywood is looking for.

Ronald Reagan went from acting to politics--maybe Palin's best path lies along the reverse.

Train Crash Follow-up

I'm sad to say it appears all those people on the Metrolink train were killed and injured because the engineer received a text message about a minute and a half before the crash, and sent a text message 22 seconds before the crash.

I cannot see any possible way to avoid placing personal responsibility for the crash on his shoulders. He allowed a personal desire to trump his professional responsibility. He also paid for it with his life. As tragic as this all is, it could have all been avoided if he had acted responsibly.

If anyone sees a rational way to spread the blame around for this one, let me know. For all I know, I might have contributed in some way.