I remember voting in 1996 - my first ever Presidential election. Back in those days I attended Young Republican meetings at Penn State and I voted for Bob Dole. The next two elections I voted for the democrats that ran and even attended my first rally (for Al Gore) in Daley Plaza with Ben and I have to say it was pretty awesome. I would have considered voting for McCain in 2000 - I thought he was a stronger candidate than Bush, but others disagreed with me.

This election is huge. I was really hoping Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic candidate, but over the last few months I have seen Barrack Obama really shine…making McCain, in my personal opinion, not even people really talk about. (Ex:I am voting for Obama; I am not voting for Obama; vs. I am voting for McCain; I am not voting for McCain)

This election, regardless of who I/you vote for, it has to be a vote of confidence. Confidence in the gaining the respect we as a country have lost in the last eight years. Confidence in our ability to pull ourselves out of this economic mess. … [more]

Yesterday while I was at a certain repair shop (not the dealership) I overheard a conversation that blew me away. I was waiting to get my tire fixed (flat) and at the parts desk, I heard the following:

Guy 1: “Did you watch the rebate last night?”
Guy 2: “You mean the debate? I watched it and man John…(pausing because he cannot think of his last name)….”
Guy 1: “McCain”
Guy 2: Yes - man, I do not trust him…he lies so much. I think I even trust the other guy Osama more.

At that point - I decided to go into the waiting area instead of looking at floor mats so I could play some Scrabble on my iPhone.

I have been in a HBO slump for awhile now. The Wire and Sopranos are done. Curb Your Enthusiasm nor any other show I am really excited about is on…so I started to question why I was paying to get HBO. A few weeks ago I happened to catch Real Time with Bill Maher and really enjoyed it. I enjoy his humor, outlook on politics, and guests that really make for an interesting look at what is going on in politics today. I am sure Ken would pretty much hate him - but he does make an effort to bring both sides to the table. Anyway - that is what I have been enjoying on HBO lately.

During college, I by chance, picked up a biography of Lyndon Baines Johnson and ended up reading in and many others in between games of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. By the end of the summer, I had a new and profound understanding of one of our greatest Presidents of all time. After a hard week, I like to go back and find a quote or two to pick me up or remind me of someone who went through a lot more hard times than I hope to ever see. This week, these quotes seemed to work:

Any jackass can kick down a barn but it takes a good carpenter to build one. - LBJ
Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose. -LBJ

Have a great weekend!
[tags]Lyndon Johnson, quotes[/tags]

Perhaps people do not realize how important voting really is, perhaps people do not fully understand the President's duties.
Something to consider.

After having quite the discussion this morning with co-workers, I thought it might be handy to have the links of some of our important documents.

Declaration of Independence
US Constitution
Bill of Rights
It is always good to go back and re-read the documents that have shaped our country.

I have had enough. The jokes, the comments, the bashing, and now the proposed marriage amendment? I do not understand the big deal...and I am tired of the christian right constantly trying to tell me how to live. Bush wants to "preserve marriage", but he and his christian right friends do not get it...so let me put it in terms they might all understand: we want the right to divorce. Does that help W? Do you now understand? All the straight people have the opportunity to marry, screw up their marriage, screw up their kids, and then divorce. How is that fair? So please, do not talk to me about "preserving marriage" when half of these sacred unions end up in divorce.

From the White House press release:
"America is a free society, which limits the role of government in the lives of our citizens. This commitment of freedom, however, does not require the redefinition of one of our most basic social institutions. Our government should respect every person, and protect the institution of marriage. There is no contradiction between these responsibilities. We should also conduct this difficult debate ... [more]