bentangle

I know that I’m very liberal-minded, but I also consider myself fairly objective and open-minded.  So I’ve been watching the Republican National Convention almost as concertedly as I had watched the DNC last week.  I try to listen to the people speaking without feeling defensive because I want to understand their perspective and not end up being as guilty of double-standards as many of the Fox News pundits have been lately (watch last night’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart for such evidence).  It is more difficult than I thought. (continue reading…)

NOTE:  Before continuing, I want to note that the following words are not meant as harsh so much as sardonic, satirical, and generally a reflection of my own bemusement.  So if any of it seems to come from a place of malice, that is not my intent.

I’ve been watching coverage of the DNC spottily (word?).  Last night I happened to catch some of Larry King Live afterward and had the misfortune of watching a certain Ms. Elizabeth Joyce talk about her “Just Say No Deal” stance in regard to Obama.  From what I could gather from the garbled responses to King’s questions, it seems that she feels (as a prior Hillary supporter) she has been shafted by the DNC and not given adequate reason to give her vote to Barrack. (continue reading…)

As I sit here watching Bill Clinton and John Kerry talking about the problems of today and the direction we need to go moving forward, certain elements strike a chord.  Most of them relate to green – namely the environment and the economy – and they both relate to struggles I see in my own life.  As they speak about our role as a nation in steering the world towards a more Earth-friendly lifestyle, I think about my own efforts to be conscious of my ecological footprint.  Ans as they speak about the downturn in jobs and wages in our nation during Bush’s reign, I can’t help but think of my own past and present struggles. (continue reading…)

I recently rented the movie Stop-Loss.  While I appreciate the value of a military, I myself would be the last person to suit up for that type of role.  I do not have a very strong sense of patriotism beyond the fact that I would like to maintain my lifestyle.  In a way I envy people who can be so devoted to a nation – any nation – to the point that they are willing to put their life on the line.  There is a pride in that that I have yet to experience.  But back to topic. (continue reading…)