1. I like Sarah Palin’s accent and her folksy way of talking. I don’t understand why she says “too” and “also” so much, but I still love to hear it. Though, I must admit it’s a little less endearing when she’s saying ridiculous things about associations and socialism.
2. I have a major crush on Brian Williams. This is nothing new, but I saw a lot more of him on election night than I had in a while. He’s just so smart and handsome and funny. Watching this SNL clip if you don’t believe he’s funny.
3. Because I feel sorry for everyone always, the minute I saw John McCain standing there conceding with a teary-eyed Palin next to him, I was almost ready to forgive them for the disgusting campaign they led.
4. I see these McCain-Palin supporters on my TV screen looking devastated, saying that things will never be the same and this is a dark day for America, and I just want to scream at them that a) that’s exactly what it’s been like for the rest of us to live in this country for the last eight years, and b) it’s not that bad, life goes on as always.
5. College-educated people voted for Obama. That means something, but I don’t know what I can say that doesn’t sound snobbish. Maybe it’s just what Chris Matthews says: educated people are more confident that they can adjust to change, because they have more opportunities for work and such. Or, maybe it’s more.
6. I keep thinking I’m writing too much about politics, and soon one of you will tell me to just shut up already. Then I remember that you all have a history of being ridiculously nice to me, and you have the option of not reading.
7. I don’t want to know that anyone in my family voted for McCain, even though they all live in overwhelmingly blue states, and, oh yeah, Obama won already.
8. I’m jealous of young Democrats who voted in this election as their first. I’m sure being on the losing side of the vote in 2004 has given me some extra appreciation or made me stronger or something, but I could have done without that devastation.
9. I felt ill all day on Tuesday. My stomach was in knots, I could barely eat, and my neck was all tense. I’m not usually so dramatic.
10. I’d like to go around California kicking everyone who voted yes on Prop 8. It’s one thing to lose an election and miss out on the things that could have been possible under your candidate, but it is something else to have your rights taken away. Once I kick these people and they’re on the ground, I’ll tell them just how much they hurt people in my community that I care about. I hope they try some biblical literalism on me; if I’ve gained nothing else from my expensive education, I’ve at least learned every argument to strike that down.
11. I really don’t understand this message: “It doesn’t matter who you vote for–just vote! Vote. Vote! VOTE!!!!” I find it obnoxious and patronizing. Of course it matters who you vote for. I support get out the vote efforts, and I think they’re responsible for Obama’s win, but I’m not going to scream at people to vote or guilt them into it. I’m not going to make the act of voting more important than the choice of who to vote for. Maybe this one’s unfair, but I was annoyed with some of my acquaintances who I thought were self-righteously preaching VOTE!!!!!!! to people who were already going to vote. And, I might lose it if I ever hear someone try to pass off “If you don’t vote, then you can’t complain” as some kind of original, insightful statement. As far as I can tell, complaining is a fundamental right not dependent on voting.
12. I’m 100% serious and genuine about liking Palin’s accent.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I felt a little sad for McCain and Palin as McCain was giving his concession speech. But then the republicans were booing Obama and I got pissed off.
Palin looked so sad.
I totally know how these McCain voters are feeling right now, because, um, that’s how the popular majority felt the past 8 years. At least Obama won the popular AND electoral votes, so at least over half of Americans are happy this time.
I know the first time I voted in my student-city, I opened the door of my student house and a housemate was immediately asking me if I had voted yet and if he should show me the way to the polling station. He meant it in a nice way though, plus he read political studies at uni, so it did make sense.
I’m a bit allergic to Sarah Palin… I keep wanting to yell at here to stop that I’m-s0-popular-I’m-a-hockey-mum attitude and get serious.
Can I help you kick the people who voted yes on 8? They annoy me 100 times more than people who voted for McCain.
LOL, I was considering writing a 100 confessions post. When I saw this I thought-”Yay we think alike!”
However, let me just say I am SO SURPRISED about proposition 8 passing in California. I was 100% positive that it would fail. I’m not an expert on California, but I know compared to my home state of Texas, it is so much more accepting of these issues. I’m too shocked to be upset. I think I might get mad later.
I am mad at Arkansas though. Banning gay parents to adopt children? Considering the amount of children in need of a good home, people decided that their love life was a disqualifying factor. Now, that amendment thoroughly upset me.
And to play devil’s advocate:
I agree complaining is a fundamental right. But if you’re not going to vote or do anything about it…you’re complaints just falls on deaf ears. I sort of equate it to losing weight. If you’re going to eat lots of cookies, candies, and fast food, sure you can complain about being overweight. However, you look silly for not even trying. You’re taken more seriously if you put the effort to exercise or focus on portion control. (Was that even a fair comparison?)
I’m totally with you on point 11!!!
Well, I like your comments. So thanks! I never mind if people don’t get back to me, it’s just nice to know that they can. :-)
Liz: I know, the audience was ridiculous. I understand being upset, and feeling bad for their guy, but I think they could have shown more respect for McCain by not booing.
Sophia: I agree. I’m so excited that he won clearly. It’s a mandate!
Marjorlein: I think there’s definitely a way to positively encourage people to vote. I guess I just object to a trend I noticed of people saying it more to bring attention to themselves. I’ve had a hard time forming an opinion of Palin; she says such ridiculous, hate-filled things, but other times she just seems like a regular person who I happen to disagree with on almost everything.
Lisa: Yes. We’ll wear cleats!
Liza: I’m shocked at CA too. I think this will be overturned in the courts after much time and money is spent. I agree with you. I don’t object to the idea that it’s stupid to complain, but then not exercise your right to vote. I’d even judge people for that. But, you always have a right to complain. What I object to most is just that people repeat the sentiment without even thinking about it.
Paula: VOTE!!!!!!!! I don’t care if you’re not in the US–just vote!! ;)
KC: Yay comments. Thanks!
Yes I saw the Prop 8 pass and thought, “Really?” I would have thought California would be okay with that, but I am surprised. Maybe there’s a little more “conservatism” in California than many people think.
Unfortunately I despise the way Palin talks as it sounds very fake, but I’m glad someone thought it was endearing as I was a little afraid she would annoy the heck out of everyone.
Echoing others: agreed with 11. In fact, I made a blog post about that on Tuesday.
I like your blog, too!
I kinda like Palin’s accent too, but it would get old very fast if I had to hear her talk all the time.
The booing in McCain’s crowd was unnecessary. You could tell he wanted to wrangle them!
Ohh, I agree with #11. I mean, by saying that, I get that people are just trying to show how your vote and your voice does matter. But, it would be even better if you were slightly educated on the candidates…
t.k. foster: I think the problem is that California is just so freaking big and full of diverse groups. I didn’t think it would pass either, though, and people aren’t letting go of this. They’re protesting now.
collegestudent: Thanks for checking out my blog!
AshleyD: It would definitely get old fast. I think her accent is only fun as a novelty.
Amy: Yeah, that’s what it looked like to me too. I wish he’d actually said, “cut that out.”
How did Prop 8 pass? McCain is not a bad guy, and honestly, I think he might’ve been a alright president, but he is an old man who took a chance. We all know that when you are old, you should definitely play more safe. But he didn’t he took a big risk by selecting Sara Palin. It’s a 50-50 chance that people either love her or hate her. If it paid off, he would’ve have all the Hilary votes. Unfortunately for McCain, Palin was not ready, and she was no Hilary. Then, McCain took a chance at inciting the older, closed minded “real” American. He started a fire that went out of control. Though we should give him props for the courage to take risks at a old age, he needs more brain power and skills in trying to play the game of politics.
I think college-educated people have had a major life experience in which our beliefs are more strongly challenged. We have the college experience that teaches us more about ourselves and what WE truly believe. I’m not saying that people who don’t go to college are ignorant–certainly not–but I don’t think they have as many times when their beliefs are challenges and they’re forced to reexamine everything they believe.
1. I loved that episode of SNL, including that skit and the new nightly news intro one.
2. Totally with you on the relationship between exercising your right to vote and the ability to complain: completely unrelated.
3. Point No. 10 inrigues me. Not the part where you support Prop. 8 and people you care about (honestly, I don’t know much about it; we got to vote on stem cells and growing weed where I live). Rather, the part about arguing against biblical literalism was what intrigued me. Was that the intent of your studies? Would you argue against biblical literalism because you don’t believe in it, or because arguing against it supports your personal views?
Josh: I study theology, so how people use the bible is important to me, though biblical studies is not my focus. I believe the bible was written by humans, and is therefore not the inerrant word of God. That’s what 99.9% of biblical scholars claims as well.
But, I also think it’s impossible to take the bible literally, and I think that everyone who claims to do so is not actually following it literally. The bible is full of blatant contradictions. It’s full of a lot of stuff we don’t want to admit. So, we all pick and choose the things we like, and value some passages over others. Progressive thinkers do this picking and choosing too, but they are open about it.
Not to mention that the bible was never intended to be taken literally. It’s authors did not think in that way. The stories are metaphorical, and make much more sense that way.
Personally, I don’t look to the bible to support my Christians views. Maybe that sounds weird. I value the bible, especially as the best source of what we know about the historical Jesus, but I don’t need a quote from the bible to back up each of my beliefs. I’m sure I could find quotes, because the bible is full of all kinds of things, but I don’t think a biblical basis proves anything.