Ordinary Extraordinary

Open Letter: Short & Sweet Edition

Dear Berkeley,

Fuck you.

No, seriously: Fuck you.

No love,
Me

I believe

I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington. . . I'm asking you to believe in yours. * * * * * I reject the notion that the American moment has passed. I dismiss the cynics who say that this new century cannot be another when, in the words of President Franklin Roosevelt, we lead the world in battling immediate evils and promoting the ultimate good. * * * * *

We are the people we've been waiting for. We are the change we seek.. . . We are the hope for the future, the answer to the cynics who tell us that our house must stand divided, that we cannot come together, that we are not the ones who can make this world the way it should be.
-Barack Obama, Feb 5 2008

Yes, yes, a thousand times YES. It is so refreshing to be rooting for someone rather than just against the greater of two evils.

Many of my female friends are incensed that I'm not supporting Hillary, but voting for a woman simply because she's female is just as bad as voting for a man simply because he's male. I don't like Hillary Clinton. I don't like her policies, I don't like her double-speak, and I don't trust her to bring real change to our ailing government. She is not my candidate. Barack Obama is, and he has been ever since he gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2004.

I've been mulling over how best to articulate what it is about Obama that I find so inspiring, but ultimately I've decided simply to quote the words of others who have expressed my feelings perfectly.

From Patrick Nielsen Hayden of Making Light:

I’m for Obama knowing perfectly well that, as Bill Clinton suggested, it’s a “roll of the dice”. A roll of the dice for Democrats, for progressives, for those of us who’ve fought so hard against the right-wing frames that Obama sometimes (sometimes craftily, sometimes naively) deploys. Because I think a Hillary Clinton candidacy will be another game of inches, yielding—at best—another four or eight years of knifework in the dark. Because I think an Obama candidacy might actually shake up the whole gameboard, energize good people, create room and space for real change.

Because he seems to know something extraordinarily important, something so frequently missing from progressive politics in this country, in this time: how to hearten people.  Because when I watch him speak, I see fearful people becoming brave.

That’s not enough.  But it’s something.  It’s a real something.  It’s a start.

From Hilzoy of Obsidian Wings:

. . . people often wonder whether Obama's call for a new kind of politics is just empty words. Here again, I think he has a real record to point to. He has consistently worked for ethics reform. In Illinois, where he helped pass what the WaPo called "the most ambitious campaign reform in nearly 25 years, making Illinois one of the best in the nation on campaign finance disclosure." In the US Senate, he was the Democrats' point man on ethics, and was deeply involved in the ethics legislation passed this year. He didn't get all he wanted -- for instance, he and Russ Feingold couldn't get a bill establishing an Office of Public Integrity to deal with Congressional scandals. But he accomplished a lot, and wants to accomplish more.

Moreover, he is very interested in open government. The searchable database of government grant and contract recipients that I mentioned above is part of that. But Obama's proposals (pdf) go further.

And finally, from Wil Wheaton of WWdN: In Exile:

We've been afraid for too long, and it's cost us dearly. Karl Rove and George Bush and Dick Cheney will have many disastrous legacies, but one of the most despicable and enduring will be how they used fear to deeply and deliberately divide our country.

It's going to be a huge challenge for our next president to heal this nation, and end the Culture of Fear that's been created by the Bush Administration. I believe that Barack Obama is the best candidate to do that, and I was proud to vote for him today.

C'mon California... why aren't you on the Obama bandwagon yet?

 

God's Standards

People, I don't care who you vote for as long as you don't vote for this douchebag:

I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the Constitution. But I believe it's a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living god. And that's what we need to do -- to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards so it lines up with some contemporary view. - Mike Huckabee, 1/15/08

I'm guessing that he plans to start with the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Silence! I kill you!

I know I'm late to the party here, but this is some of the funniest shit I've seen in quite some time:

Many thanks to The Fireman for sending me this little gem and brightening up what was otherwise an awful day.

The Last Word

As with many bloggers, I have a disgustingly large ego, and so I just couldn't bear the thought of not being able to have the last word if the need arose. Perhaps I take that further than most, I don't know. I hope so. It's frightening to think there are many people as neurotic as I am in the world. In any case, since I won't get another chance to say what I think, I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. Such as it is.
-Major Andrew Olmsted

On Thursday Major Andrew Olmsted was killed in action in, making him one of the first three casualties of 2008.

Olmsted, who so eloquently explained why he went willingly to Iraq, was an avid blogger whose posts from the front lines gave personal insight into what has become an increasingly abstract and impersonal war. It was no surprise to any who had been following his blog that wrote a final post for hilzoy to publish in the event of his death.

I'm glad Andy -- generous as always -- wrote something for me to publish now, since I have no words at all.
-hilzoy

Though the post popped up in my feed reader on Friday morning and various people sent me links over the weekend, I couldn't read it until this evening. Every time I tried, the faces of my friends who are deployed in Iraq floated in front of me and my mind played tricks that these were their final words and not Andy's. But tonight I steeled myself and read his final post all the way through.

I'm glad I did. It's charming and heartfelt and funny and poignant and utterly devastating - an absolutely necessary read. Would that we could all have the opportunity to make so eloquent a final statement.

. . . while you're free to think whatever you like about my life and death, if you think I wasted my life, I'll tell you you're wrong. We're all going to die of something. I died doing a job I loved. When your time comes, I hope you are as fortunate as I was.
-Major Andrew Olmsted

May we all be so lucky. Rest in peace, Andy.

Friday Food For Thought

An Oakland Welcome

There are a lot of things I like about Oakland, not the least of which is the fact that my BFF lives there. It's charming, conveniently close to San Francisco, and hey - I'm kind of a big deal there! Until last week it was safe to say that my only real problem with Oakland is the fact that it's home to the Raider Nation - quite possibly the most obnoxious and least sporting fan base in the entire country.

But what happened last week at the Oakland Airport has left me so angry that my hands are shaking as I type this.

On September 27th 204 Marines and soldiers who were returning from Iraq were not allowed into the passenger terminal at Oakland International Airport.Instead they had to deplane about 400 yards away from the terminal where the extra baggage trailers were located.

Let me make that crystal clear: 204 Marines and soldiers returning from WAR were DENIED ENTRANCE TO THE TERMINAL at the Oakland Airport and forced to wait in a trailer like so much unwanted baggage.

No matter how rationally I try to think about this, it just makes my blood boil.

A few points to remember:

• This was a decision made by the Port of Oakland, not the Department of Defense. This was NOT a matter of keeping them sequestered together until they could be debriefed.
• The passengers went through customs in Kuwait, where their flight originated. This is standard practice for military personnel returning to the States and is a far more rigorous screening than anything the TSA does to civilian passengers.
• They were flying into Oakland on a chartered commercial jet, not a military one. This is also standard practice.
• The troops were allowed off the plane both in Leipzig, Germany and at JFK in New York.

The story was first reported on OC Blog and quickly denounced as being a bit of political propaganda. However, Michelle Malkin  did a little research and contacted both the Navy Chaplain who serves with the Marines, and the Port of Oakland. You can read the entirety of OAK's response on Michelle's blog, but let me highlight my favorite parts:

As you know sometimes the way things appear initially regarding an incident turn out to be different after looking into the details. We checked into this once you had called me and raised your public relations concern, so again thank you.

and...

Airside Operations and Aviation Security worked with the ground handling company and other law enforcement partners to coordinate a plan that was satisfactory to the pilot and passengers...

Is it just me, or does this statement read as though Marilyn Sandifur, OAK's spokeperson, is essentially saying "Oopsie! Silly us!" and trying to get out of this mess without actually apologizing? Also, it's pretty obvious that the "plan" they coordinated was NOT satisfactory to the passengers.

The statement that the Port of Oakland posted yesterday is only a slight variation on Sandifur's original and it still 1) blames the military 2) lacks any sort of actual apology.

The worst part is that this is hardly a new policy for the Oakland Airport. Soldiers returning from Vietnam, Libya, Afghanistan, and the (first) Gulf War all have similar stories. Clearly, Oakland is following in San Francisco's anti-military footsteps:

• In 2005, the San Francisco City Council refused to grant the USS Iowa permanent berth in San Francisco - it had been scheduled to open as a museum. Their reasons? Community opposition to the Iraq war.
• This year, the Council is trying to prevent the Blue Angels from flying over the city and the Marines were denied permission to shoot a recruiting video on San Francisco's streets.

Excuse me San Francisco, but who do you think is going to save your asses when Kim Jong-il finally goes crazy and pushes the big red button, or when another earthquake buries half the city in rubble?  The Army, the Navy, the Marines, and the National Guard that's who. The same people who aren't allowed to set foot in your terminals, or fly over your city.

Men and women have staked, and lost, their lives for the last two hundred plus years so that you all have the freedom to be idealistic assholes; they deserve more than just your hospitality.

They deserve your fucking gratitude.

Boxing Up My Well Wishes

I have a handful of friends serving overseas at the moment, so every couple of months I spend a Sunday afternoon putting together care packages. I send one to each of my friends as well as to a couple of servicemen (or women) whose addresses I get from AnySoldier. I've done enough of these now that I've got it down to a science.

• First, a trip to Target and the 99 Cent store for snacks, hygiene items, magazines, and whatever else seems useful or has been requested. I have a stock of the basic items, so I'm usually just shopping for specifics or anything on which I'm low.
• Next, I assemble the boxes with the strongest packing tape possible. It's hard to predict what the boxes will have to go through before they arrive at their destination, so it's important that they be sturdy.
• Then, I spread all of my purchases out on the dining room table and start sorting and re-packaging. Anything that could leak or melt (including bar soap) gets double-bagged in a freezer-strength Ziploc. Anything that can be condensed (like boxes of single-serving drink mix) is removed from its box and also flung into a Ziploc.
• Next, I jot down a note to put in each box. My friends get longer personal letters, the folks from Any Soldier (obviously) get more generic ones. I always my email address at the end of the Any Soldier notes, in case they have time to respond (many do, eventually).
• Finally, it's time to load up the boxes! Food, magazines & games are put into one box, toiletries into another. The separation is key - otherwise they get snacks that taste like deodorant and really, who wants that?  When everything's packed securely, I put the note at the top and seal up the boxes (again, with lots of strong tape).

All that's left after all that is to address them and take them to the post office.

It's hard to describe how I feel at the end of a care package afternoon. On the one hand, I'm happy to have accomplished something that will bring other people some cheer. On the other, I hate the fact that there are so many people over there who need cheering. The whole business of war seems very personal when I'm looking at a collection of brown boxes lined up on my table.

No matter what your politics, please remember that there are thousands troops deployed overseas whose lives are in danger every single day. They deserve to know that they have the support of the people back home. If you have a few dollars and minutes to spare, I sincerely hope that each and every one of you will box up your well wishes and send it to any of the more than 3000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who have signed up  with AnySoldier.

Never Forget

Open Letter: Political Edition

Dear Tony Snow,

I've always thought you were a likeable guy. Hey, anyone who calls Bush "impotent" and "an embarassment" is ok in my book.

(Which reminds me: Where, exactly, did your principles and opinions go? Ah, nevermind. That's a question for another letter. Back to the matter at hand.)

I've always thought you were a decent fellow. You're a musician! You're a philosopher! Once upon a time, you even had original thoughts! (ahem) As such, I developed a bit of a soft spot for you and was vastly sympathetic when you were performing your duties as press secretary in between chemotherapy sessions. However, it is safe to say that my sympathy has run out.

You're leaving your position as White House press secretary because of financial hardship?

Eat me, rich boy.

No seriously: eat me. I am poor and made of ramen. Tasty!

Look, you've been in the position less than 18 months, during which time you've earned at LEAST $200K. Before accepting this illustrious job, you were on both FOX News and your own nationally syndicated radio show. You've been a nationally syndicated columnist, a television host, and a political commentator.  I find it extremely hard to believe that your family will be standing in line for foodstamps anytime soon.

I can understand wanting to get as far away from this administration as possible, really I can, so give us a reason we can stomach. Say you hate the buffoon in the Oval Office, say you suddenly remembered that you have principles (ahem), say that you want to spend more time with your family, but please: don't tell us you have to step down because of the terrible financial strain. We will be forced to laugh in your face.

Repeatedly. And loudly.

No Love,
Me