Tuesday, September 2, 2008

We shall never speak of this again after today.


I love my little city by the river. It's just big enough, it's relatively quiet, it's pretty darn clean, and normally very user-friendly. It's kind of small, but full of surprises. St Paul is a "grower", rather than a "shower", if you catch my drift.

Now? This week?

Not so much. Our awesome factor has dropped to -35, last time I checked the meter.

To the untrained eye, one would think that our normally diverse city was comprised solely of white folks that wear nothing that isn't red, white or blue-blooded.
Argh.
A few notes, for those of you fortunate enough to not live in or near our redheaded stepchild town:
  • The city/state took it upon themselves to spray paint GIANT american flags along the major freeways. Think 75' x 100' giant. When we drove by one this weekend, all I could say was "gross", to which the Mr. replied, "Why do you hate America so much?"
  • Areas of town are blocked off- and not just with your everyday "we're busy teaching juvenile delinquents to pick up trash so you can't drive here right now" variety of barricade. These fancy barriers are cement, topped with chain-link fence, which is then topped with razor wire. Nothing says "Hey! Welcome to our city!" like prison yard decor.
  • There are black, tinted window Lincoln Town cars and Navigators EVERYWHERE. No subtlety there whatsoever. Our favorites so far were the ones parked ever-so-inconspicuously outside of the McDonald's by our house for several hours. Helicopters circle above like seagulls waiting for a chubby 6 year-old to drop a few crumbs of mini-donuts. The freeway overpasses have Highway Patrol Officers stationed there, perched and ready for any errant water-balloners (not to be confused with waterboarders, which is something else entirely.)
  • Having a convention in your city sucks, in case you were wondering. Times two if you live within 1.5 miles of the festivities, like we do. Oddly enough, however, the whole city smells like hot dogs and american cheese right now, which I find strangely comforting.
I normally keep politics out of my little home on the internet here, but being that politics (and all things politics-related) are being shoved down my throat this week, I thought I'd at least tell y'all a little about having the festivities roll into my place of residence.

Yuk. Or as they said in the local paper's "guide to all things Minnesota" this weekend- I think this is "ishy". I guess "ishy" is a MN thing- who knew?


In case you didn't figure it out already, I'm what I like to call "The liberal's liberal".
I like government staying out of my personal life. I would like to have more of a say in what happens in my world. I would like politicians to be held accountable occasionally when they lie, cheat and steal. I'm tired of religion and abortion issues being part of the political process. I'm tired of this fraud of a war. I want people to care more about humans as a whole, rather than employing the "I got mine" approach. I'm tired of people profiting off of the misery of others. I wish that racism, sexism, ageism, etc...weren't the rule rather than the exception. I'm tired of politicians and people in general not taking responsibility for themselves. I'm sick of corporate greed and corruption. I wish taking care of the environment was mandatory, not optional. I'm tired of having "Christian values" and "family values" shoved in my face by people who haven't the slightest meaning of either of those concepts.

I guess I just wish things were better, somehow. And yes- I blame a lot of these problems on the current administration.
Even if these problems were problems already when they got into office 8 years ago, I blame them for making them worse and turning a blind eye to the monumental mess that this country has become. The average citizen has been used, abused and tossed aside, and I think it's high time something productive and honest was done about it.

This is how I feel, you are entitled to feel differently. I can respect an informed opposing opinion. We can agree to disagree, I do believe that is possible. I'm not asking for a debate or trying to sway anyone. I'm just ranting on my blog, for whatever that's worth.
I'm not the boss of you.

I am, however, very pessimistic and very fearful about the future.
And- I consider myself neither Democrat nor Republican, in case you wanted to know.

But I do know who I'm voting for, and I'm pretty sure it's not anyone visiting my lovely city as part of the political circus taking place this week.

Nope. Not a chance in hell.

I'm totally voting for this dude:



It's time to kick ass and take names, people.

Chubby karate office dude '08!!

24 comments:

John said...

Sing it sistah! I agree with most everything you said. And not just cuz you're Ms. VonSexypants either.

I assume that Mr. Whiskey is all in favor of the McCain Train being in town? Perfectly well and good; I just wish that conservatives wouldn't consistently hear/reply of "you hate America" in response to any complaint regarding our country.

On a more personal note, I do hope you're feeling a wee bit better dear. : )

Minnesota Girl said...

we drove by one of those gross american flags twice this weekend. we liked it as much as you do. also, on our way home monday, driving through your fine city, we saw 50+ buses driving towards the "base camp". and...the barricades are lovely and do add a friendly "minnesota nice" touch, don't they?

oddly enough, my political views echo yours to the "t". when are you going to run for president? i'd totally vote for you. ; )

Fancy Schmancy said...

I was with you right up until the chubby karate office dude.

surviving myself said...

So I just check "Fat Dude" when I vote?

-R- said...

H and I drove past two of those roadside painted flag things this weekend, and both times we yelled, "I LOVE AMERICA!" I do not see the point of the flags.

Downtown Minneapolis is also full of limos and town cars. It is ridiculous.

What makes me the most mad is the "drug bust" the police did right before the convention when they happened to arrest almost every single person residing at the homeless shelter in downtown St. Paul. I am guessing most of the charges will be dropped right after the convention. What a coincidence!

Fran said...

Your political insight (not to mention that I practically wet my pants. in a good way... just seeing you post!) is needed.

It looks like a big fucktardian nightmare over there.

As for voting for the dude, well maybe you can reconsider. He might hurt someone - or himself. Who is is Veep candidate???

Loves you Miss Thang.

CDP said...

You totally want the terrorists to win, don't you?

I love when you get all political (and I agree with you, too). But seriously, all of us who live within 5 miles of Washington DC are all "oh cry me a river" about St. Paul being overrun with Republicans. We've been tripping over them for eight effing years, it's time you guys took a turn and got them off our hands for a few days.

McGone said...

Hold the fuck up a second... It's an election year?

Jeez, you would think one of the news outlets would have mentioned it by now.

Dr Zibbs said...

If I was in that city, I'd dress up like a pregnant 17 year old and walk through the streets throwing gum to the crowd. Not really - that would be mean. It would get me on TV. But mean.

jcat said...

Not sure I know how I stumbled in here but I like what I see. I think you summed it up quite well. You should spout off on in this way more often.Jcat

Ed said...

I remember when the National Mayors' conference was held in Madison, and the city was swarming with police, barricades razor wire, just like you were talking about. I'd be willing to bet that what you're experiencing is way worse. You have my sympathies.

Thanks for sharing your political philosophy, too. Not that it makes any difference, but it sounds like a good one to me.

Kim said...

"I feel your pain" - say it with Bill Clinton's voice and it's more fun - but can't summon TOO much sympathy for you guys up there. I live in the Capital city of a Bible Belt state where I might be the only Jew and where the Confederate flag still flies on our state house grounds. My cousin who lives in New York makes sure he calls me once a month just to make fun of me. Granted, I do answer my phone, but it hurts that this is what my life has become.

Bill Hipps said...

I agree with some of your commentary and not with all. One thing I would add is that we ALL need to what we can to make the place better, not just the government.

TwistedNoodle said...

That video cracked my shit up and I needed a good laugh. Today was my first day back to work after having all of that priceless time off.

I agree with much of what you said and also with bill hipps about sharing in the responsibility and not blaming it all on the government. Although... it's sometimes difficult to feel empowered the way our country has declined in so many aspects. Still, I'd rather live nowhere else.

Your post was an awesome political rant. Well said.

Renaissance Woman said...

Amen...I agree with so much of what you are saying. I'm sorry that the convention isn't great. It was so much fun here in Denver but it was such a different crowd. I'll hope for sanity soon to your lovely home.

Gwen said...

I was inspired by your rant and started a grassroots movement.

pistols at dawn said...

I'm not literate, so I'm going to focus on the kicking ass part of the equation.

Nature Girl said...

I'm tired of politics entirely in every way, shape and form. It doesnt' matter who's elected anyway, neither one is going to do a damn thing they've promised and nothing is going to get any better. Just elect Elvis already and be done with the whole darn thing so we can get on with our lives without hearing "he said, he lied, he did, he didn't, she's got a pregnant daughter" etc. Like who the hell cares anyway?

oy!

and those nasty spray painted american flags? GROSS! I'm so with ya on that one! tacky tacky tacky.

Stacie
(gee..you think YOUR a pessimist?)

Stefanie said...

Word. (On nearly all of the above.) St. Paul is a whole different world right now.

Whiskeymarie said...

Sorry if my cryptic writing led anyone to think that I don't think that we the people need to take charge/responsibility for some of these issues, because that's not what I meant at all.
I guess it was clear in my head what I was writing, but once it hit my fingers it was less clear. I don't blame the government for all of this- when I say "people" I mean all of us. I do, however, stand by my nonsensical rant that the current administration has a LOT of explaining to do and a lot of amends to make (not that I actually think any of these things will ever happen, but a girl can dream, can't she?)

ginger b said...

Damn. The Dems in Denver were nothing like that. The worst of it was all the fancy restaraunts were consistently closed for private parties....but I'm pretty sure I'm OK with waiting a week to drop $200.00 on a single dinner...

Kate said...

A-fucking-men, sister.

I'm a big believer of separation of church and state. And as a person of faith who has intelligence, I am irate at how our country has been hijacked by evangelical values. The whole thing that burns me about the people in St Paul this week is how their party is supposed to be Christian, yet beyond the wedge issues (abortion, stem cell research, gay marriage, etc.) I see very little "values" being promoted. What about social justice issues? Apparently those don't exist when you're sequestered in the bubble of conservative dogma and distracted by trying to take away everyone's civil liberties.

Phew! Sorry for the rant! I needed to get that out though. This election should have me excited, but I am so disenfranchised with the whole thing. It is so polarizing and hateful and truly, politics brings out the worst in people.

PS: The NATO fighter jets were flying super low over our house on Monday. Do you suppose they were on the hunt for me, the only renegade blue person who lives in a very red exurban town?

H said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks those flags are tacky. Nothing says "patriotism" quite like a gaudy flag painted on the side of the freeway.

Mel O said...

If it's not "appropriate" for me to be petting my monitor and drooling while at work, then I would really appreciate some sort of warning when you're going to be posting such eye-candy at the very beginning of your posts. I'm not suggesting that you STOP posting such pictures... I just like to have a little more warning

thank you, thank you, thank you!