I am Sarah Palin*

As I think I've said on here before, I don't really like politics. Like sausage, it's from watching the stomach turning process that I have turned into the equivalent of a political vegan.

So, for god's sake, will someone please call the hounds off of Bristol Palin. She is not running for office, and surely there are more relevant discussions to be had about whether her mother will be a good vice-president than her fertility. This could be anyone's family, and there is no reason to politicize this.

If anything, she was nominated because she is a mom, with mom values that a lot of people can identify with. If we start attacking her for having a "real world" mom problem that, so far, she is dealing with gracefully, this will only blow up in our faces, because we will then be insulting all those people who identify with her.

I mean, hell I identify with her. I'm from a small town where there wasn't much to do. I know that kids can get pregnant early, regardless of political affiliation, believe it or not.

My ability to empathize with her, however, has no bearing on whether I think she is qualified to be the next Vice President of the United States.

Refreshingly, I think the only person who has had the right attitude about this is Barack Obama. As reported by Fox News, of all places....

“I have heard some of the news on this and so let me be a clear as possible: I have said before and I will repeat again, I think people’s families are off limits, and people’s children are especially off limits. This shouldn’t be part of our politics,” the Democrat said forcefully. “It has no relevance to Governor Palin’s performance as governor, or her potential performance as a VP. And so I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories,” he continued.

So even though this might provide some anecdotal evidence as to whether an abstinence only based fight against teenage pregnancy is completely ineffective, you know what? Get some statistics or something.

* No I'm not.

John McCain Is Just Like You! Unsure How Much Property He Owns!

This is incredibly hypocritical. After accusing Obama of being out of touch with average Americans, McCain can't remember how many houses he owns. With every article about how Americans are unable to pay their mortgages and keep their homes, I think this is especially telling. But it gets better! McCain then directs the interviewer to contact "his staff" about how many homes he owns.

I am not a big fan of politics, and as we get closer to the actual presidential election, my aversion grows ever stronger. The constant empty rhetoric, tit-for-tat ad hominem attacks, and pandering just leave a bitter taste in my mouth. They are onerous in and of themselves, but the fact that all of that crap actually affects the daily polling results, gives my gag reflex (insert democratic caucus joke) an even larger jolt.

This one is just too much though. I have been growing increasingly irritated with the way McCain's campaign has been trying to paint Obama as an "elitist." Let's back up here, for a second ok?

As much as we all like to pretend it doesn't matter, Barrack Obama is African American. After all the discussion about how he's not "black enough" or how the democrats really shot themselves in the foot by nominating an African American, the fact remains that he is a member of a race that has been systematically discriminated against. Now, you can say all you want about Harvard Law and such, but as many of you know, that simply doesn't matter to some people. So for an old white man who married rich, to call Obama an elitist....the audacity just astounds me.

But the fact of it is, America, is that ALL our politicians are out of touch. Most, if not all, of our elected officials come from a lot of money, or now have a lot of money. Bush was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and so were the Kennedys. I don't mind the fact that they are from a gilded class, but I do get irritated when they pretend they aren't.

Scariest Candidate Contest

So far, the winner is clear. Mitt Romney. Here are the reasons in no particular order.

1. He's a Mormon.
As an agnostic/atheist/existentialist myself, I have a hard enough time with religion mixing in with politics at all. But I realize that a lot, if not most, Americans like their president to believe in God. Ok, fair enough. I find the Shrub's brand of fire and brimstone faith to be overbearing. But Mormonism is a whole different ball game. Now, don't get me wrong. I've had a few Mormon friends here and there, and they are really (really really) nice people. But I have to draw the line somewhere. Mormon's believe that they become demi-gods of alien planets if they are good in this life. I'm not sure where exactly my line is, but I do know that this is across that line.

2. His favorite book is "Battlefield Earth"
This is disturbing for two reasons, actually. First, it was written by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. While Romney has said he doesn't condone Scientology, which is, of course, perhaps the MOST wacky religion on the fringes of the mainstream, a Mormon saying that a book written by the founder of Scientology is his favorite equals DOUBLE CRAZY.
This is also disturbing because it is a horrible novel. Plain and simple. But maybe it was better than the movie. Why not the Book of Mormon? At least that sounds like interesting and well-written fiction.
And at least Romney reads something other than the Bible.

3. His feelings on Guantanamo
When asked about terrorism, he said that we ought to "Double Guantanamo" where the detainees aren't on "our soil" and don't have "access to lawyers." I don't even know how to argue with this statement.

I would be willing to overlook or change my mind about the first two (ok maybe just the Mormon thing, I mean Battlefield Earth? How about...I don't know...anything else?). I do not understand how someone trained in our system of law can actually believe that the accused should be denied counsel and held without charge.

Not that I'm going to vote for a Republican anyway, but I'm just saying....