Happy Thursday

I've been getting "Merry Christmas!" text messages and emails from my friends. A great many of my friends either don't get my memos, or don't read them. Let me summarize. I don't do Christmas. I'm not a Christian. I don't believe the Jesus fairy tale so, I do not celebrate his fake birthday.

I won't be decorating or giving gifts. (I do receive however- refusing would be rude.) I don't want to have Xmas dinner with your family or some assortment of lonelies who feel incomplete when they're not in a traditional setting for the holiday. (Although Nicole is an excellent chef, so I'm only punishing myself there.) Some Buddhists or some Jews will prepare me a meal, with assistance by our amigos from the south, because they understand that the world doesn't stop just for Jesus.

I'm well thank you. Cancel the suicide watch. I eat hundreds of meals alone every year. Don't worry about me today. I am grateful to the Christians and pseudo-Christians who have maintained this holiday for me to watch NBA games, go to movies and catch up on some laundry. Thanks for the day off!
Bah! Humbug!

And, Just like that

I had barely settled in for a long night of electoral back and forth and, as soon as the clock struck 8, it was over. "Alright guys, the polls are closed in Cali. Let's call this thing and go home. I've got 4 episodes of 'Mad Men' on the TiVo." Before I could get the popcorn out of the microwave, John McCain had conceded and was in bed with a warm glass of milk. A quick electoral smack down. You knew it was over as soon as Barack Obama won Ohio. (The state where I drove through a Klan rally about 15 years ago.) You can't beat that kinda momentum.

Just as I had predicted, the cooler dude won. I'm just surprised at how decisive it was. I have never been very comfortable with so many polls favoring Obama. Never underestimate the racism of the American public, I thought. Someone was bound to realize they were about to elect a black man as President of the United States and change their vote. Turns out ageism triumphed over racism. A great day for our country.

Just like that it was over. "Go home, old man. And take your spokesmodel with you." No suspense. No controversy. No lawyers. Just look and the numbers and live with it.
"They" didn't steal the election from "us" so, I'm stuck with a trunk full of riot supplies. Anybody wanna buy some gasoline, bottles, rags and lighters?
When Obama gave his acceptance speech, I got the feeling that in the back of his mind was, "What was I thinking? Now all these people expect me to fix shit."
Sarah Palin had one thing right, Senators, Representatives and community organizers aren't held responsible for much. Presidents are, and they don't get credit for all the "checks and balances" that stand in their way. Our new president has a lot to clean up; Occupation of Iraq, a collapsing economic house of cards, decaying infrastructure, expensive energy and health care. I don't know why anyone would want the job. It doesn't pay very well, until you've completed your second term and get a book deal.

I haven't received a tax cut. My health insurance still cost thousands a year. No solar panels on my roof. Yet thanks to Barack Obama, I've got one less excuse for underachieving. "The Man" isn't keeping me down anymore. I am "The Man" now. And I can't stop smiling.

Is that it?

I'm following the presidential election pretty closely and I wonder, is it over already? Has America made up it's mind? Has the election ended in the summer with the swimsuit competition? Have the candidates been defined: Cranky versus Hope? Where are the voters who would never vote for a half black man? I expected they'd show up in the polls by now. Are they really only the small percentage who would admit it over the phone? Have I overestimated the racism of the American public? Man, I hope so.

Of course, it's the 3rd of July. A lot can come up by November. Osama Bin Laden could be caught. (If he isn't already) Barack Obama might get his dick sucked by a campaign volunteer. John McCain might ride a bicycle. What if McCain really does have a black baby somewhere or, Obama has a 3/4 white one?

There will be debates and speeches, ignored by most of us. Everything we need to know will be in a campaign commercial, conveniently free of truth in advertising laws. Right now, McCain is pissed that someone questioned the importance of his military service. Obama blew him a kiss. Did that change anyone's vote? Anyone? Does anyone have a relevant question? Does anyone have time for an honest answer?

Do we really care about issues? Does America want "free trade"? Do we want to make the rich "pay their fair share"? Maybe we prefer our banks unregulated. Maybe being shot down over Vietnam is good executive experience.
Maybe by election day the "surge" will have clearly done it's job successfully occupying Iraq so that our troops will be home by Thanksgiving. If we can occupy one country in the Middle East, that will make us safer here. And if I can get through the airport without having to strip (which I used to do voluntarily), you've got my vote, John.

One is cool the other is old. That's good enough for real independents. What makes us independent is the DVR. Who looks best when I fast forward through their ad. I don't have time to watch guys argue about gas taxes and troop withdrawal. I do have time for Mad Men.

If one of them gets caught getting his dick sucked, I'll start paying attention again. I'm not convinced that either are what we need as president, however they are what the system gave us and, once again I forgot to run this year.