Blue Monday: Tell Me How Should I Feel
By Dan on Nov 10, 2008 in Beer, Family, Local
At the Risk of Raising Rancor
I did want to chime in on this whole election thing.
Write In, Right On
I knew it would come down to an election day decision. There were things I liked about both presidential candidates, and other things that I didn’t like. On Tuesday morning, when the kids asked who I was voting for and I still didn’t know, I started to consider just skipping past the presidential part of the ballot. I did that four years ago when I couldn’t bring myself to vote for Bush or Kerry. But this morning, after I stepped up to the voting booth, I decided to change my play at the line of scrimmage.
You may recall that last year I made my presidential predictions, calling it for Hillary, but making a very convincing case that a guy not in the race would make a good president, better, in my mind, than either Obama and McCain. So I voted for Michael Bloomberg, only for some reason I couldn’t remember his first name at the time, so I wrote in “Mayor Bloomberg.” He ended up falling short in electoral votes.
Well, Where’s the Change? I’m Waiting.
You’ll hear that a lot once Obama is sworn in. It will be said, and written, sarcastically. It will be offered endlessly by those who opposed him, to make the claim that we’ve all been hoodwinked. And it will get really annoying.
But, some who supported him may likely end up asking the same thing, with the sarcasm replaced by disappointment.
Obama’s lofty promises of hope and change resonated with many people. Those of us who are familiar with how government and politics work, know that things won’t change overnight. We know that there is only so much a president, even one we believe in, can do. And there’s only so much he’ll be willing to do.
But his message resonated with many people who voted for the first time. They found in Obama a savior. And, with their indifference now supplanted by naivety, they’re expecting big things to happen. Obama may very well make their lives better over time, but it won’t happen in such a way where they awake one day and say, “Wow, my life is better.”
Even if Obama turns out to be a great president, and I hope he does, that’s not a determination that can be made in the next four years, or even eight years. History is the only judge of a president’s tenure. I’m hoping that Obama will be a good president, but would settle for a competent one.
As I’ve written previously, I’d have much more confidence in Obama’s ability to lead if he had served a couple of terms as governor first. If he could have cleaned up the mess that is Illinois government, then Iraq, the economy and healthcare would be pieces of cake.
To me, the most impressive thing about the man is how he rose up from humble beginnings, with no silver spoon to nurture him along, to become the President of the United States. If he can take the charm, determination, and intelligence it took to propel himself to the White House and put it to use in solving our country’s problems, then he should do well. If those traits are only useful in service to himself, then you’ll all be kicking yourself for not writing-in Bloomberg in 2008.
Stupid Lyric of the Week
If I were a sculptor
But then again, no.
Gee Bernie Taupin*, that was a fleeting wish. You should have titled it: “Your Song, No Wait, It’s Not.”
My God, What is That Thing**
Has there ever been a more disturbing commercial than the Axe Chocolate Man? It’s as if they took a rejected serial killer from a third-rate horror franchise and made him consumable. And although I know it wasn’t the intention, I can’t help but see the bigoted smear of blackface.
Even if you get past the weirdness, the association it makes is not a good one. Having no olfactory experience with the product, I’m left with the impression that its scent derives from the cocoa bean. Although chocolate smells good when its aroma is wafting through a bakery, it’s not a smell that a healthy human should emit. Second, chocolate, as demonstrated in Caddy Shack, can be similar in color and texture to, well I’ll just say it – doody. That’s another smell you don’t want associated with your person, especially when you’re hoping to attract affections. Whatever Axe’s actual fragrance, it’s not coming through in these ads.
I don’t know how popular the Axe ad is; I suspect there are countless comments on YouTube attesting to its awesomeness (only they’d use a different word that I don’t know yet.) The fact that it was chosen from among the many ideas that would have been pitched to the manufacturer would lead one to believe that there is a strategy behind the strangeness. Creepiness in advertising has been effective in the past (see: the Burger King “King” and Mr. Six of Six Flags.)
Za, Good
The Dublin Pub has been our default locale for a family dinner out for some time. I like going to locally-owned establishments. The food is generally better and for some reason, they have a much more comfortable ambiance than the junk-on-the-wall chains. We were fortunate to come along another such restaurant that may become the top contender for our dining-out dollar.
The Scary Side of Parenting
Ever since Maria, who is nine now, was a baby, she’s experienced breath holding spells. Not the Veruca Salt, if-I-don’t-get-my-way-I’m-going-to-hold-my-breath variety. Rather, it’s an involuntary reaction to pain. And it’s frightening as hell.
Sometimes, although rarely, when Maria falls or in some other way hurts herself, she’ll start crying, and then in mid-wail she’ll stop breathing. Her face will freeze and her eyes roll back. Her body will stiffen and sometimes convulse. Then she’ll pass out, start to breathe again, and then be okay, save for some queasiness and whatever lingers from the original injury.
The first couple of times this happened we headed straight to the emergency room. After her pediatrician assured us that the spells weren’t damaging and that they weren’t that unusual, we learned how to deal with them. Still, the initial fear that she is terribly hurt, or worse, never lessens. One time in Meijer I was yelling for an ambulance before she quickly passed out and came to.
She was supposed to have outgrown them by now, but it happened again this weekend. I heard her slip on the stairs and start crying. By the time I got there, she was sliding down the steps as her body convulsed. I took her to the couch, brought her a bag of ice for her head, and it wasn’t long until she was outside playing. I just really hope that was the last one.
InBev Comes Clean
Have you seen the new Bud Light commercial? The one that touts the beer’s drinkability? You’ll notice that it features people drinking from a hose, shaking dew from a tree, and catching rain from the sky. Why? Because Bud Light tastes like water. It is water. That’s why it’s so damn drinkable. Now, if you want a beer, you’ll have to try something else.
Congratulations to my trivia teammates, some of whom took home another title Saturday night. It was for a very good cause. We went to a benefit for the young man a few weeks ago.
That’s It
That’s it.
*Wait, isn’t that an Elton John song? Who is this Bernie Taupin?
**You’ll never guess what movie this line came from, so I won’t even bother tempting you with a prize.
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I don’t know how many more times Obama could have said in his speeches that change won’t be easy, that he can’t do it alone and that it will take effort by everyone. It was part of his standard stump speech and he even said it on election night. I’ve never seen a candidate stress that point so many times.
So while I see a lot of people who weren’t enthusiastic supporters make the patronizing claim that naive Obama supporters are expecting him to make dramatic change magically happen for them overnight, I’ve never met a real live Obama supporter who actually feels that way. In fact, most Obama supporters I know talk about how we’re going to need to pressure him to do the right thing and keep working hard when the election is over.
I’ve heard the same point you made about Obama supporters on talk radio. You should be careful about letting talk radio tell you what Democrats and liberals really think. If conservatives are hoping that Obama’s support will fade away if he doesn’t make quick change in two years, they’re in for a big surprise.
Will | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
** is it cloverfield?
Dan S. | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
“Obama may very well make their lives better over time, but it won’t happen in such a way where they awake one day and say, “Wow, my life is better.””
I personally don’t expect a miracle a day but I think in some fundamental way this election has changed my life. Not because I see Obama as a savior but because of how “I” feel. Because of what changed inside of me…
I am more engaged in politics and don’t expect that to change, I am more engaged in environmental issues, I am more engaged in the need to go outside of my small world and do my part. I want to be a better citizen.
I felt like we/I grew up a bit.
This administration has a long way to go and I haven’t heard one person not acknowledge that fact.
I firmly believe that only we can bring about the change we seek by getting engaged. I hope if any legacy that comes out of this administration it will be to keep American’s engaged. I think that is the only way those “miracles” will happen.
No matter what side you are on, you make the choice of getting in the game and risking a loss or standing on the sidelines yelling at the ref.
Becky | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
Will, Becky,
I understand that you understand that change won’t happen immediately. There are others with unreasonable expectations, and they aren’t just figments of a conservative’s imagination. For instance, there’s the Chicago alderwoman:
“Asked what she expected an Obama presidency to mean to her West Side ward, Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) replied, “One word: money. You’re supposed to take care of home first, aren’t you?”
I read a story today that this likely won’t happen. At least it didn’t happen in Little Rock during Clinton’s tenure.
And I don’t listen to talk radio.
Dan S.
It’s not Cloverfield.
Thanks for commenting,
Dan
Dan | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
Dan
Of course that alderwoman’s naive statement is going to get the attention. You can’t really believe that she’s indicative of the large number of Obama supporters.
I don’t understand the negativity, not about Obama per se, but about the enthusiasm of his supporters. Why does it bother people so much?
nancy | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
Nancy,
I suppose I could ask why any criticism of his supporters should bother you so much.
I never said what I wrote was indicative of a large number of Obama supporters, but that it is a real phenomenon. There will be some people who aren’t as savvy as you, Becky and Will who are expecting the country to change, to the betterment of themselves, in ways that it can’t possibly do. If you need evidence, you only have to listen how Obama is trying to temper expectations in his post-election speeches.
Here’s another one. Obama’s popularity is partly responsible for California’s ban against gay marriage passing. The opposition to the ban felt comfortable that the referendum would fail, given California’s blue state status. But polls in the weeks leading up to the election showed support for the ban gaining support. The reason? Obama was attracting a lot of new voters in minority communities, and many of these voters have conservative views on social issues such as gay marriage. (FYI: I didn’t hear this on talk radio, but read it on Slate, where a staff survey showed that all but two employees who participated supported Obama, and only of those two supported McCain.)
I mention this not to demean Obama – or to demean gay marriage, which I support – but to illustrate that you can view his election with something less than unbridled giddiness and not be a neo-con or right-wing apologist. I wish him the best, but I have reservations, both about him and the wave of support that swept him into office.
Thanks for commenting,
Dan
Dan at BFS | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
Obama’s popularity did help Prop 8 pass which is deisgned to amend the California constitution to ban gay marriage. Exit polls suggest that up to 7 in 10 black voters voted for the prop. That is really, really sad. An American group who tends to feel like the most discriminated group in America voting to enshrine constitutional bigotry. Without their support, I think the votes tended to indicate that the prop would have failed.
Gish | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
wait, Dan . . . so you support deaminig gay marriage??? YIKES!
Rock-Robster | Nov 11, 2008 | Reply
Rock,
I can understand your confusion, but I stand by my sentence structure.
Dan
Dan | Nov 11, 2008 | Reply
Point taken about being sensitive to Obama-bashing or poking…. I guess I am just so fed up with all the rancor that any little comment drives me up the wall. So I apologize if I overreacted.
I know you aren’t talking to me specifically but the majority of voters that elected him are educated and know the issues… I think it is a bit condecending to say that people are swept up
I agree with Will on the point of if anyone thinks that I am going to regret my vote … which I have heard a lot… I seriously doubt that will happen.
I had similar feelings when Clinton was elected and I still think Clinton was a good/great President. I was too young when Reagan was elected…but I remember a feeling of country wide exhalation when he was “swept” into office. So this isn’t the first, nor will it be the last President that has this kind of support.
I was greatly disheartened to see Prop 8 repealed… But then Obama doesn’t support gay marriage which is one of several areas I don’t agree with him on.
Becky | Nov 11, 2008 | Reply
Becky,
I think Obama’s opposition to gay marriage is more of political stance than a personal conviction. And I believe he came out as opposed to the California proposition.
Dan | Nov 11, 2008 | Reply
Dan,
Your point is made often (and much more condescendingly) on talk radio but also elsewhere by others. I didn’t intend to accuse you of copying it from your favorite talk show. My response was partly out of annoyance at hearing so many people say this and yours was the unlucky blog where I responded.
I think it goes back to an issue that came up in the primary. Obama offered himself as the candidate who believes in change from the bottom up, as opposed to the top-down New Deal/Great Society mindset offered by Hillary Clinton.
The idea that real change will take effort by everyone is a basic part of Obama’s political philosophy and that’s why he emphasized it so often during the campaign. So I understand your point, but I don’t think there has ever been a Presidential campaign where so many of the supporters understand that easy change won’t be handed to them on a silver platter. That reflects what I heard from many Obama supporters over and over again in the five states where I volunteered for the campaign.
I won’t be disappointed in Obama if he doesn’t deliver everything he promised quickly. I will be disappointed if he does what Bill Clinton did by abandoning the progressive principles he campaign on in ‘92 and pushing the “third way” approach instead of at least fighting for what he campaigned on. Obama campaigned on being a more impactful, transformative President than Bill Clinton, so I hope he follows through.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while so maybe I’ll make it a post on my own blog soon.
Will | Nov 11, 2008 | Reply
Becky said:
“I know you aren’t talking about me specifically but the majority of voters that elected him are educated and know the issues…”
You have got to be kidding, right? Number one; how do you know this? Number two; in my experience the vast majority of voters on boths sides are borderline retarded. The vast majority of the U.S. couldn’t even find this blog let alone write anything intelligible on it. Which brings me to why so many commentors on this blog act as if others are speaking directly about them when in reality they are very, very different from the majority of their particular group. You are all literate and take time to become familiar with the issues. That makes you quite different from the masses.
M.B. | Nov 11, 2008 | Reply
M.B I know this only by what the polls say. Now it is your perogative to believe the polls or not but they seemed pretty acurate during this election.
It was poorly worded though.. what I should have said is that he had the majority of college educated voters… and that is the group I am speaking about. I understand completely that many on both sides don’t have a clue what or who they are voting for.
I think it is over the top to accuse a person like myself and many with whom I surround myself… to be “swept up” or have a “savior” complex.
Just like I don’t think that every person who voted for McCain was a racist or swept up by Palin and her populist rhetoric. I assume that most of them voted for McCain because of his conservative values/platform.
Becky | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
O.K. That was much better.
M.B. | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Dan
I don’t know what you think of Nate Silver, baseball and election statistician, but his take on Prop 8 and Obama supporters can be found here: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
(several posts down)
He admits in his FAQ section that he generally votes Democratic, is an Obama supporter and he’s from Chicago, but I think his analyses this whole election cycle have been pretty spot on, confounding the mainstream media.
Anyway, take it for what it’s worth. I thought it was interesting.
nancy | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
The polls “weren’t” accurate. Most polls with the exception of Rasmussen had Obama ahead by 10 point or better. four points with a + or – of three is a lot of points. It seems you could guage the outcome but not forcast it by polls alone.
Dave H | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
Nate Silver’s judgement is based solely on new voters turning out for Obama or the surge as they have been terming it. He also states that more experienced voters voted for the prop.
The problem is that prior voter registration is not indicative of actual voting in any given election and it is a definite possibility that previously registered voters turned out for an election to vote for Obama when they may have very well stayed home if he were not a candidate.
In short: the new registrees were not responsible but greater numbers of prior registrees turning out when they had not before are responsible.
Gish | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
Nancy,
I read a profile on Silver in New York magazine. He doesn’t seem like a person who would let personal views affect how he interprets numbers. That said, I have read other analysts, and major opponents of Prop 8, and Gish, make the argument that Silver denies. Who’s right? Who knows.
Dan
Dan at BFS | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
Nancy,
Just by coincidence, I happened to read an article on this subject over lunch. I’m not saying this guy is right and Silver is wrong, but you might note that Saletan, the author, supported Obama as well. Here’s a bit from his article:
The National Election Pool exit poll tells the story. Whites and Asian-Americans, comprising 69 percent of California’s electorate, opposed Proposition 8 by a margin of 51 to 49 percent. Latinos favored it, 53 to 47. The combined result would have defeated it. But blacks turned out in historically high numbers—10 percent of the electorate—and 70 percent of them voted for Proposition 8. They made the difference.
http://www.slate.com/id/2204534/
Dan at BFS | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
I’m so confused. Numbers are so tricky!
If it is true that a surge of otherwise non-voters were inpired to participate in this election because of Obama, and then contributed to the passage of Prop 8, I still don’t know if I feel that it’s ironic or hypocritical. To believe that, I’d have to be making sweeping generalizations about the “type” of people that voted for Obama and I’m not prepared to do that.
The people who voted for him, I presume, are very diverse and therefore so too their reasons for voting for him. It’s not a logical conclusion to suggest that people who voted for Obama should be “for” gay marriage in California. I know some older people voted for him, not because of his liberal social views, which are in opposition to their conservative ones, but because of a belief that he can steer the country out of a failed foreign policy and has better ideas about energy independance. I think for these people, they are honestly thinking about future generations and they are realistic about social changes such as gay marriage and sex education where progress IS going to happen eventually.
nancy | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
The Princess Bride, of course.
occula | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
This is from a web site called “Politico.com”
I am not vouching for its veracity but if true says it all as far as I am concerned:
“Fully 96 percent of black voters supported Obama and constituted 13 percent of the electorate, a 2-percentage-point rise in their national turnout. As in past years, black women turned out at a higher rate than black men.
A stunning 54 percent of young white voters supported Obama, compared with 44 percent who went for McCain, the senator from Arizona. In the past three decades, no Democratic presidential nominee has won more than 45 percent of young whites.”
96% It is amazing to get 96% of anything. So for anyone to say that race alone in this election is not a huge, huge, huge issue is just burying their heads in the sand, especially given the proposition 8 outcome and related information provided by Dan. And based on my personal experiences with the black community neither fact surprises me in the least.
M.B. | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
M.B.
I don’t suggest that black people didn’t vote for Obama because he’s black. I’m sure some, (many? a majority?) did. But as Becky suggested earlier, voting by association wasn’t so frowned upon when it came to Sarah Palin (and let’s face it, SHE was the one really running on that ticket). It was OK for working women, or people with special needs children to identify with her on those similarities alone. Of for McCain because they are veterans or former POW’s. Or for Hilary because she’s a woman.
I don’t deny that you have experiences in the black community that I don’t. However, it’s fairly evident to me that you haven’t had the experiences with black people that I have. So which of our views is correct? Neither and both.
nancy | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
occula,
Of course!
For the rest, the line was taken from the scene where Westley explains to Prince Humperdinck what “the Pain” entails. It isn’t pretty.
Dan
Dan | Nov 13, 2008 | Reply
Damn! I love that movie as I think everyone does. You can pretty much yell out ‘Stop it now. I really mean it’ anywhere and someone will respond ‘Anybody want a peanut?’
Gish | Nov 14, 2008 | Reply
I am the brute squad!
occula | Nov 14, 2008 | Reply
Well I disagree about the polls from what I read and what I think constitutes a fairly accurate poll they were pretty good.
here is a good snapshot or at least a comprehensive list…
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html
Becky | Nov 14, 2008 | Reply
Nancy,
Not one of my most recent comments was directed at anything you wrote. And my comment about my experiences with the black community wasn’t a slam on them or you and quite frankly I don’t see how you could have taken it as such. As a group they tend to support one of their own color, and as a group they are very anti-gay. This isn’t my opinion it is fact. This election showed it.
M.B. | Nov 14, 2008 | Reply
That’s Too nice, when it comes in india hope it can make a Rocking place for youngster.. hope that come true.
ElenaLisvato | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply