The Next 4 Years

Okay, of us out there... about half voted for Barack Obama, and a bit less for John McCain. The rest voted for random "3rd party" candidates that didn't get very close to winning.

First... congrats to Barack Obama! Huge day for him, and America. Second... Senator McCain... your concession speech was brilliant. If you had tried to campaign like that instead of latching onto "Joe the Plumber" and a seemingly unqualified candidate for VP (how about Jindal from Louisiana... someone young but still on the national scene) and a very negative campaign (something people really don't like), it might've been even closer than it was.

There were those that threatened moves to Canada or Europe if their candidate didn't win (get ready for a max exodus?), and if they still want to leave, adiós. For the rest of us... things get tough now. The economy is having issues. We're in the middle of a war (or more)... and whether we should've gone in is irrelevant because we're already there.

It's time for everyone to band together (party/religious/whatever affiliation be damned) and get everything back on track. It won't be easy... and letting party or religious or other personal beliefs getting in the way won't make anything easier. I understand the Republican parties wants to get the White House back in 2012 and all that jazz, but seriously... the government is here to make sure the country is functioning well... not their party. Yes, the past 8 or whatever years haven't exactly gone smoothly, but living in the past won't help anything.

Obama has been preaching change. America is in need of "change", though whether that means minor tweaking or bigger things is still to be determined. Of course, Obama can't do it alone. Hopefully this party system doesn't get in the way of helping the country rebound from the recent downturn (at least economically).

I guess it's time to see what the politicians put first. It really shouldn't even be a contest, but you never know.

After You've Voted...

follow the results. Duh.

Elementary School Kids Like Obama

Nearly 1 million elementary school kids across 50 states were asked to make their decision in a mock election recently. The results?

In the mock election, Obama snagged all the coastal states and dominated in the South, earning a total of 477 electoral votes. McCain nabbed the Dakotas, most of the Midwest — including Utah — and a solid belt of states stretching from Oklahoma to West Virginia.

I wish I'd been able to participate in something like this when I was young. Of course, I get to participate in the real thing now, so I guess it's all good.

Left Out No More...

Well, everyone knows about Proposition 8 in California, and how it's getting attention from all over the US. You know, some people for it, some against. Etc. Well, obviously Wyoming was feeling left out. How else do you explain Wyoming airing commercials for some of their races in Utah?

Trick-Or-Treating, Alternate Style

So, I posted this on Halloween. For those that are curious, there was another one that I could've used... one that I didn't (obviously). I decided I might as well put it up now.

It deals with Scenario 2 (You go trick-or-treating at the candidates house. Why do you get turned away?).

Sarah Palin: You show up at her house, dressed up as a bear (or moose or some other wild animal found in Alaska). She opens that door, sees you, and gets all excited. She asks you to wait for a minute, mentioning that she forget the candy in the other room. She rushes away, and a couple seconds later you hear a helicopter. You don't think much about it until it becomes obvious that it is getting closer... much closer. You turn around, and see her in the helicopter, aiming a gun at you. The last thing crossing your mind is that you should've thought something was up when she said she forgot the candy... especially because she was holding a bowl of candy when the door opened.

Political Signs Count, Part the Last

This will almost be the last count in the presidential race for the next 4 years. This is due to the fact that the election is on Tuesday, so it won't matter after that. As for Monday & Tuesday... Monday morning, I'll be studying for a test. Coming home, I'll be relieved that the o. chem test is over, and will probably celebrate by sleeping. And Tuesday... well, I'll be excited to get home and watch all the coverage. Maybe. Anyhow... a look at all the "new signs" (ones I haven't seen before) on the trip home.


Obama/Biden: 4
McCain/Palin: 0
Nader/Gonzalez: 1
Ron Paul: 1


For the Tracy Aviary: 1
For the Hogle Zoo: 4


Again, I was looking solely at the right hand side (going South), so if all the McCain backers live on the left hand side (going South), I'm sorry for ignoring you. Still, the discrepancy is surprising.

I still haven't seen anything against the 2 propositions in the form of signs. Does that mean we'll have a very easily passed measure?

I've now seen more Ron Paul ones than McCain/Palin ones, and more Nader/Gonzalez upright ones (actually, I think it was on a car) than McCain/Palin ones.

Obama is gaining in Utah, but is still way behind McCain (57%-32%). 25%? That's got to be the biggest margin in the nation, or close to it.

And nearly 300,000 Utah voters have already voted, taking advantage of early voting & absentee ballots. Those that haven't... crowds will still be huge on Tuesday, I'd assume.

Trick-Or-Treating With The Candidates, Part II

Part II of this. Part I of this involved the 4 candidates (Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain, Sarah Palin) currently in the running. Part II now will involve trick-or-treating with 4 candidates that were previously in the running (Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Ralph Nader). Three of them ran this year, Gore didn't (sadly). But he ran a couple elections back, and there were people supporting him this year. So it's all good.


Scenario 1: Going trick-or-treating with the 5 ex-candidates


Ron Paul: He shows up in his campaign/fandom shirt (you know, the one with love written on weirdly within the word revolution). The individual opens the door, takes a look at the shirt, and looks up confused. The following conversation takes place.

Individual (slowly): "Um... that's not a word."
Ron Paul (confused):"You've never heard of revolution?"
I: "No... I mean, that 'e' and that 'l' are backwards."
RP: "Yeah, whatever... it's the land of free speech. Now give me some candy."
I: Free speech. Yes. But your shirt is in gibberish. I can't tolerate that. Sorry, your costume is utter fail!"

The door slams, and Ron Paul looks up sadly. "I guess it's time to crash a new party." REJECTED!


Mitt Romney: Mitt Romney, trying to clear up misconceptions about Mormonisms, decides to use some reverse psychology, going dressed up as a polygamist (taking a couple female friends along as "wives"). The individual at the door looks up shocked. Romney quickly breaks into a defensive speech about how he's not polygamist and how it is just a show to try and clear misconceptions. The individual listens carefully, and sees that it makes sense. So he starts to give everyone some candy. Mitt takes it, and then looks at the individual angrily. Out comes a burst about how he gave Massachusetts a much better health care system, and how it is being abused now by everyone eating so much candy. The individual looks shocked as Romney fires the Almond Joy back at him and yells out "No one understands me!" He is later seen at the store buying his favorite drink... bottled water from Aquafina. REJECTED!


Hillary Clinton: Hillary Clinton shows up at the door looking like her normal self. The individual opens the door and looks at her, obviously wondering what the costume is. Hillary starts the conversation quickly, announcing that she's "happy". The individual doesn't get it, and nor do you. Hillary quickly explains that she's decided to try and be one of those people that's always happy, even if it doesn't all go her way. The individual asks why she didn't dress like something else, maybe a cat or something, like all the other little girls. Hillary looks at her, and then slowly responds that the only other costume she could think of was Monica Lewinsky. Pressed further, she responds "If nothing else, it could improve my chances with Bill." The individual breaks into laughter (along with everyone else around), and then shuts the door. The situation made her forget about the candy, and Hillary rushes home to prepare for another election. You go home candy less. REJECTED!


Al Gore: Al Gore goes trick-or-treating dressed up as a scientist. The individual at the door is impressed, and asks what he studies. Gore quickly responds that he's studying global warming, and lists a couple facts. The individual looks at him and mentions that the facts all sound made up, because he's never heard them before. Gore counters, saying that at least half of them are true. "What about the other half?" is the question on everyone's mind, and Al knows it. Looking around, he finally pulls out a ton of graphs that back up everything he's said. The individual at the door notices that some of the graphs are just lines on a graph paper, with no labels or anything. Gore looks shocked at getting caught, and runs away yelling "I invented the internet." You just looked on shocked, forgetting about your candy in the process. REJECTED!


Ralph Nader: Ralph Nader, hoping to get his name out, goes as himself. The individual at the door asks what he's dressed as, and he says "Ralph Nader". The individual looks up and says "Who? Ralph... is that the name of the farmer down the street?" Ralph is completely taken aback, realizing that his name definitely isn't getting around. He turns to explain, the individual quickly explains that it's rude to dress up as neighbors, and slams the door. REJECTED!




Scenario 2: You go trick-or-treating at the ex-candidates house. Why do you get turned away?


Ron Paul: You dress up in the best costume you can find, that of Bugs Bunny (you had a long day, and didn't have much time to look). You show up at Ron Paul's house, and the door slowly opens after you wait for a bit. He looks outside, and when you yell "trick or treat!" the door opens fully. He comes out, looks at you, goes back inside, and returns a couple seconds later with a small book. He hands it to you, you look and see that it is the Constitution. You look up confused, and he smiles at you. "Nowhere in there does it mention giving away free candy. Now leave." You go home dejected, having gotten nothing but a copy of the Constitution, something you already have.


Mitt Romney: In a brilliantly planned costume, you show up at Mitt Romney's house (coincidence) dressed either as a character from Brokeback Mountain or a character from Zack & Miri Make a Porno. Romney doesn't get the costume, you explain it. The Brokeback Mountain one takes a bit longer to explain. Romney seems disgusted, but applauds not only your costume, but your ability to make up an entire story to go with it. You stare back confused. He then hands you the Book of Mormon. You tell him you don't want it, as you've told the many missionaries that have stopped by your house. You're there for candy, after all. He says he'll go get some if you keep the book and read it. You promise that you will, and put it away. You look back up, and he's back inside. He smiles, mentions that he's changed his mind, and shuts the door.


Hillary Clinton: You show up to her house dressed as Monica Lewinsky. Both Bill & Hillary are there when the door opens. Bill invites you in, Hillary glares at both of you and then slams the door shut. There wasn't even enough time to say "trick or treat". You hear the door unlock as you turn around, and you quickly turn back around, hoping for candy. You see Bill, he mentions that he has a treat inside. You run away yelling, or at least wondering what you did to deserve this.


Al Gore: Being the Halo fanatic that you are, you dress up in a costume as a character from the Red v. Blue series. You show up at Al Gore's house, and he asks what you are. You explain, and he looks at you. "Isn't there a 'green' team?" he asks? You quickly explain that there isn't he comes back with a couple of sheets of paper and a candy bar. The first sheet of paper is a bus pass. He tells you to use it instead of driving so that you help the Earth. You thank him. The second piece of paper is a website where you can check your carbon footprint. You thank him for that as well, and fold it and put it in your pocket, along with the pass. You look back up... and Al Gore is eating the candy bar! You look some combination of shocked, tired and confused. He quickly explains that he can't give you the candy bar for fear that you might eat it on the way to the next house and litter. He shuts the door, and you head on dejected.


Ralph Nader: You go dressed up as a protester, with a sign protesting the 2-party system. Nader is definitely impressed, and asks if you'll vote for him. You explain that it's just a costume, and that voting for Nader would be equivalent to throwing your vote away, so you can't do that. Nader gets angry, starts shaking, and yells out that giving you candy would be equivalent to throwing it away, and shoves the candy in his mouth (wrapper and all) and glares at you before slamming the door. You walk home in tears, ditching the sign in the Clinton's front yard.




After what has to be the worst Halloween ever, you head back home. You see other people with candy, and your siblings have some at home too. They offer to share, but you say no thanks, being too tired to even realize that they just offered you some candy. There's a knock on the door, and everyone turns to look as your dad opens it. And you just stand shocked as the door opens and Bill Clinton stands there before you all.

Trick-Or-Treating With The Candidates, Part I

Well, the election is rapidly approaching. Under a week now. But more important today, at least to children and the parents of young children, and even older kids/people (however you want to be classified), today is Halloween. And, as such, why not combine the 2?


Scenario 1: Going trick-or-treating with the 4 candidates (Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain, Sarah Palin)

Sarah Palin: She shows up to the house dressed in typical hockey-mom gear (whatever that is), with a couple of kids next to her dressed in hockey gear. The people at the house open the door, and look at her confused. "It's hockey gear" she replies, after the initial "trick-or-treat" yelling. The confused individual at the door explains that hockey is played in Canada, not the contiguous 48 states. REJECTED!

John McCain: To show off his "maverick-ness", he shows up dressed up in a Dallas Mavericks jersey, probably a Dirk Nowitzki one. Of course, no one wants to see him in such a jersey. And when he starts calling them his "friend", it just turns creepy. The individual at the door gets lucky that John Stockton style shorts aren't still in style. REJECTED!

Barack Obama: He shows up preaching change. He shows up at the door, and when offered candy (thereby getting further than any of the other candidates so far), refuses, kindly telling the shocked individual at the door that by "treat," he meant something healthy. You know, change. The individual looks shocked while explaining that he didn't know what Obama meant by "change", and then finally goes and gets him an apple. Which is good because otherwise Mr. Obama could speak for a while (and draw a crowd), which might be good for debating, but isn't as good when the kids behind him want their candy. Since the goal is to get more candy, not an apple, you are REJECTED!

Joe Biden: He's last for a simple reason. In all the Obama/McCain/Palin hubbub, there has been very little mentioned about Biden. What I do know, I heard from a neighbor (couple houses down), who mentioned after the VP-candidate debate that Biden had way too much make-up, as if he was trying to appear young. So obviously, to trick-or-treat, he shows up as today's average teen, wearing either low-ride baggy pants or skateboard-tight jeans. He also has a tattoo on his arm (fake, of course), and is listening to a Britney Spears song on his iPod with the volume turned up high enough for everyone around him to be able to hear it as well. The individual at the door manages to let him know that Britney Spears "is so 5 years ago" before shutting the door to get away from the music. REJECTED!




Scenario 2: You go trick-or-treating at the candidates house. Why do you get turned away?

Sarah Palin: You show up at her house dressed up as a pig. Wearing lipstick, of course. She immediately berates you for being sexist, to which you reply that she's being racist because you're not white. In the end, everyone is confused, and it leads to a short awkward silence in which she winks. She then attacks your friends and acquaintances because they once said that (insert country here) isn't so hot (the nerve!) and you might've agreed with them, even if you didn't say so and even argued with them. Obviously, your costume was enough to hold you candy-less, but you just made it even worse. Oh, and as you're leaving, you mention you're a south side Chicagoan, and she promptly replies "Go Cubs!" Ooh, how it hurts.

John McCain: You dress up as an anti-war protester. You get to his door, and he sees your shirt. Immediately, he gets into a long (15 minutes?) speech about how he was a POW and how it made him a better American. You hear him out, hoping to get some candy at the end. You even apologize. After his speech, the old age hits him, and he forgets why you're there. He threatens to go to war with you if you don't leave, and then breaks into his POW speech again before shutting the door. Not only do you not get candy, you just had war declared on you.

Barack Obama: He comes to the door, and gives you a couple of Brussels sprouts. You look at him confused, and with a look of "ugh!" on your face. He calmly explains (with a relatively long speech... say 10 minutes) why Halloween needs a change, one going from candy (unhealthy) to much healthier foods. You try to respond by explaining that Halloween is about the candy, and how you eat healthy the rest of the year (yeah, you're lying, but that's alright). He gives a slight chuckle and says that he's willing to talk & listen to you, even if you're the enemy. You get ready to explain more, before the kids behind you get pissed off and push you away so that they can get their "treat".

Joe Biden: Again, I don't have much on him. Sorry for that. He just hasn't been in the news at much. You go to his house all dressed up, appearing as some rich guy. He looks at you, and asks what you are. You reply (honestly), that you're dressed up as some billionaire CEO. He applauds your honesty. And then he mentions that he's in favor of taxing the rich more than the middle class. You mention that you agree (or you don't, depending on your views), and then say "trick or treat" again. He apologizes for the delay, then reaches into your bag, takes some candy, and puts it in his basket. You look at him confused, he replies "you've just been taxed." You try to complain, but he mentions that his efforts both equal the candy distribution amongst kids (being the rich CEO, you obviously stole some from somewhere earlier), and will also get the economy going because there is less for you to hide from everyone else. You leave baffled.




It's not over, of course. You end up running into Death. He tries to take your life, but you mention what you've just been through (all 8 cases), and Death ends up leaving in tears, after giving you some of his candy. Unless you're the rich guy, in which case he puts you on your last breaths, telling you not to worry because your family can obviously afford the medical bills.

I Voted Early

Did you?

Political Signs View Count, Part III

Well, another update. This time, a combination of the last 2 days.


Obama/Biden: 7
McCain/Palin: 0
Ron Paul: 1


For the Tracy Aviary: 3
For the Hogle Zoo: 1


Why the lack of McCain/Palin signs? Maybe because, as I've stated before, the supporters are confident that the state is his. Or maybe because I was only looking out of the bus window on my right (going south). You know, maybe all of the McCain supporters live on the left side (going south). You never know. It's just a bit surprising to me.


Oh, and just by the way... the people on FOX News are highly, highly annoying. I really don't care what side they're on, but they get on the nerves very quickly.


Oh, and a 30-minute infomercial? Seriously Obama?


Mr. McCain... the infomercial isn't delaying the "start" of the World Series game tonight. Oh, and if it was, it wouldn't really matter. First, the series has been horrible (especially the umpiring) and isn't bringing in many viewers. And second, the economy/country/etc. is a bit more important. And I'm saying that as a baseball fan and someone who definitely isn't paying enough attention to the state of the country right now.


30 minutes!!?? Seriously?


Finally, the most talked about topic. I really don't think the president's friends or acquaintances should matter all that much. Everyone has, at one point or another, come across other people. If you haven't, you aren't living. And just because someone has talked to someone else (or listened to them), it doesn't mean you agree with them. Trying to make everyone think the exact same? That can't be good for humanity. Oh, and as for willing to meet with presidents/leaders/whatever of nations that we might not have the best of relations with... it beats the alternative (war). Avoid war if possible. I thought killing was a bad thing.


I haven't seen any signs going against either the Aviary or the Zoo (though there was 1 person in the quick-poll of 6 students that the Daily Utah Chronicle did that was against it because he was against animals in captivity). Does that mean it's going to pass overwhelmingly? Or just that no one really cares?

Today's Politics Update... Nader

So, there were plenty of pro-Republican signs up on the way home today. As expected... it's Utah after all. But, in what has to be a first, I saw a Nader/Gonzalez in '08 sign. I don't think I've seen any of those before. I don't even think I saw a Nader sign in 2004. Well, I guess there's a first time for everything.

Today's Politics Update

As the election grows closer, more and more stuff pops up. So a look at stuff that might be new today (or maybe not)...


According to CNN, John McCain & Sarah Palin have been blasting Barack Obama (and occasionally his policies) while he's been blasting McCain's policies. No changes there... it's been like that forever.


On the way home today, I saw a couple of politically related signs on lawns. I saw 2 for Obama. There was 1 for McCain, but it was laying on the ground. This is surprising, largely because I live in Utah. I'd expect more pro-McCain ones... maybe those voters have already decided that the battle is over. Which it very well might be. There was also 1 sign each for Proposition 1 (Tracy Aviary) and Proposition 2 (The Hogle Zoo).


McCain's "honest campaign" has been shot to hell. But we all new that. On the other hand, he's a politician. Expecting anything more than what we've gotten shows way too much confidence in these guys.


Personally... I've had enough of the personal attacks. I can decide about Obama on my own, thank you. I feel McCain needs to do more campaigning and less attacking. Meanwhile, Obama... change what? We don't need an overhaul, do we?


I mean, scrap the electoral college and let my vote count. That's a start.