Out, Standing In Her Field

…I’m going to scream.

I suppose that’s the intent of all this media saturation. The candidates and the parties are trying to drive voters away from the polls by annoying the crap out of them. It’s gotten to the point where I’d rather look at the continuous automobile and/or drug ads which normally bombard the airwaves during local programming. As it is, I just put ‘em on blab-off: I have a mute button, and I’m not afraid to use it.

The national party ads are the worst since they are invariably negative and arguably inaccurate. I know: the RNCC and the DNCC both think we’re all stupid and will believe anything they tell us. Maybe, maybe not. There was a Letter to the Editor in the Nashua Telegraph yesterday which advocates throwing all the rascals out — regardless of party. This, of course, will favor the Democrats this time around.

One can only hope.

Actually, the weather is quite mild, though breezy, and partly cloudy: perfect weather for a parade. The Professor and I got a great viewing spot across the street from Town Hall.

Milford, it would seem, is the center of retail politics in New Hampshire. Of all the cities and large towns that have Labor Day parades, the politicians all show up for ours.

Today’s parade had all the usual stuff: marching bands and bagpipe troupes, antique cars, Verteran’s groups, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the PopWarner football team and its cheerleaders, the Shriners and their little cars, etc., etc. — and of course, folks running for assorted offices. Parade organizers, in their infinite wisdom, put the politicians (except for Gov. Lynch) at the rear so that they wouldn’t hold up the whole shebang while working the crowd.

Gov. John Lynch(D-NH) got quite a warm reception, and his “entourage” of supporters stretched for at least a block. Gov. Lynch is doing a respectable job as governor in spite of the fact that he’s not a career politician (yet!). Unless something totally outrageous happens, I suspect that he’ll be re-elected.

As for the governor’s Republican opponent, Jim Coburn, there was a smattering of polite applause, and he didn’t have much of a following. I think folks are not impressed with his goofy campaign ad… If one has no new ideas, contruct a convenient strawman and knock it down.

But, the biggest contrast was between the candidates for NH’s 2nd Congressional district.

Paul Hodes(D) ran for Congress in the last go round, and was handily trounced, which was too bad, IMNSHO. I’ve heard him speak on the radio and he seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

Well, when Mr. Hodes’ float rounded the corner, the crowd went wild. (Oh, you know what I mean: he’s a politician after all, not a rock star.) Mr. Hodes looked a bit stunned, as though he didn’t quite believe it, but he smiled and waved heartily. The Witchy Brigade and Political Noise Committee (of which I am a charter member) was on their feet and jumping up and down. Okay — so I’m biased…

Charlie Bass(R-NH), on the other hand, didn’t even bother to show up. He was represented by a sign-decorated truck with a handful of supporters in the back. The crowd was ::crickets chirping:: Dead quiet.

If I were Charlie Bass, I would be worried.

When it comes to corporate greed, this website says it all…

The first cup means you are a guest.
The second cup means you are a friend.
The third cup means you are family.

ABC News’ Good Morning America presented a story this morning on the man who went to climb K2, and ended up building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. His theory is that if you give the children, especially girls, a balanced education, then you are more likely to foster peace in the world. Give these children an alternative to the radical Islamist religious schools which teach hatred along with their scripture, and you can more easily reach their hearts and minds. And focus on girls, because the girls will pass their knowledge and understanding on to their future families: Teach a boy, and you educate an individual; teach a girl, and you educate a community.

I’ve long held the belief that America could do a better job of fighting terrorism (and poverty in general) and improving it’s image in the world by throwing books rather than bombs. What a simple (and comparatively cheap) idea!

Greg Mortenson created a foundation to build these schools, the Central Asia Institute. Perhaps this would be a worthy charity for Peaceniks, Lefties and other progressive persons to support. I’ve already mailed them a check, myself….

Gotta be careful where you go hiking in Texas…

(Note: If anybody wants to make a donation so that I can buy an elephant model, I’d be tickled pink!)

Hey, I’m all set for any sort of disaster. I’ve got my FEMA emergency kit, and my plastic sheets and duct tape… and my Stainless Steel Colander^(tm) to shield me from Republican mind-control brain-rays.

Have you ever noticed that whenever the Bushoviks start having trouble keeping the American public distracted, Osama bin Laden or one of his flunkies re-emerges via video or audio tape, threatening the USA, yet again, with disaster, death, and distruction? I thought it was my imagination, but it happens all too frequently to be a coincidence.

I wonder if K-Mart is selling stainless steel colanders in their Martha Stewart Everyday line. If I’m going to be paranoid, at least I can be fashionable….

Just a little graphic to help y’all get fired up for the upcoming midterm elections.

In a story on CNN.com, a new poll shows that Bush would lose a hypothetical election if it were held today. Seems folks would prefer a Democrat; at least they tend to agree with the Dems on issues that affect their lives.Given what we now know about Pres. Bush’s political morals, I’m pretty sure he couldn’t even get himself elected Dogcatcher: folks would be afraid that he’d authorize the torture of puppies and kittens.