On More of Joe Biden's Patriotism and Sarah Palin's "Real America"

In Greensboro, N.C. on Oct. 16, to a large crowd of supporters, Sarah Palin made the following statement:

“We believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. We believe, that the best of America is in these small tows that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all you hard working, very patriotic, very pro-America areas of this great nation.”


The next day in Mesilla, N.M., Joe Biden jumped all over this comment when he said:

“Ladies and gentleman, I have never been to a state that hasn’t sent its sons and daughters to serve its country. It doesn’t matter where you live, we all love this country and I hope it gets through that one of the reasons why Barack and I are running is that we know how damaging the policy of division has been. We are one nation, under God, indivisible. We are all patriotic, we all love this country.”



There are several things about politics that aggravate me, and this is one. When a candidate takes a statement by his opponent, interjects his own personal interpretation upon it, turns it around, out of context, to supply ammunition so that he can attack and belittle the other party to make them look bad. Both sides have been guilty of this, but feel this is one of the worst examples of the race thus far. It is a complete misrepresentation of Palin’s actual words.

First of all, the only juxtaposition that occurs within Palin’s statement is between Washington D.C. and the small towns of the nation. Los Angeles, New York City, Atlanta, Boston and the like aren’t mentioned, but just Washington D.C. Why is this? It is obviously because she feels that government has lost touch with the American people, and this extends out to the farthest areas of the Nation. I don’t see what is so disagreeable with this. In fact, I am inclined to agree 100% and I do feel the citizens of this nation make up the very “real America” that Palin mentions.

This is the ONLY contrast she states, and to interject anything else into her statement is, in my mind, ridiculous and not just messing with context, but actually adding words and wrapping it around your own personal bias, which Joe Biden did in his reply. This interpretation is a completely illogical one and it lacks any true reasoning. I myself, agree with Palin’s comments a lot more than Joe Biden’s conclusions.

Before we get into that though, let us first look at the definition of the word, “patriotism.” The dictionary defines “patriotism” as one who is “devoted to the love, support and defense of ones country; national loyalty.” However, is this really what most people think of when they think of a patriot? Do we think of someone who merely loves their country? This is an important aspect of what makes someone a patriot, true, but we see from historical contexts that a patriot is much more than this. A patriot is someone who puts their country first, above their very lives and well being, to defend the nation and its ideals. This is why our troops are patriots and so many of our citizens of this nation are not. It is funny how some see the exact opposite though, that the troops are guilty of treason and those with their picket signs on college campuses all over the United States are the real patriots.

No Biden, not all of us are patriotic and we see time and time again that people only love this country when it can serve them. People forget the freedoms it offers them like to say what they want, worship however they desire and the opportunities this country provides. Such people are not patriots or patriotic, for a patriotic person is not self absorbed, but instead puts the needs of the country before their own. People now expect their country to serve them and not the other way around.

This is not to say that protesting a need for reform is anti-American, rather what gets me is that people will cease to love or be proud of this country if there is something going on they disagree with. Government should be of the people and not serve the people hand and foot. We need to love this country unconditionally, but with our current leaders and much of society, this love is all too often condition based from issue to issue. This is not patriotism, nor is it love for the country, but rather love of the self.

Biden’s statement that he has seen how damaging division can be, yet practices and encourages division in his very statements is an unfathomable contradiction to me. He consistently does this by twisting peoples words to mean something they don't even say and attacking reporters and citizens who ask Obama or himself thought provoking questions. Does Biden really have the right to lecture us on what patriotism really is?

First, to Biden patriotism is paying taxes. Let us realize another component of patriotism; that it is completely voluntary. Patriotism is never required by the federal government as taxes are. Furthermore, is it patriotic to attack an American citizen on Jay Leno? No, of course its not! Nor is it patriotic or even decent to slam a person and refuse to answer a legitimate question on a Florida news station because you don’t like the question. You are a politician! Part of your job is to answer the tough questions! These actions certainly aren’t elements of patriotism!

Biden may have been a patriot at one time, when he was first sworn in, but he certainly isn’t now and therefore shouldn’t speak as an authority on the subject. A lot of our politicians are self serving morons that have no national pride, but instead insist on the government and the people of the nation to serve them and their ideals only! Most of these politicians are situated in Washington D.C. and these are the people Palin brought up in her statement, and who she has a problem with. Palin doesn’t raise issue with the people of America who do love this country and want to protect it, but rather those who love it only when it benefits them and want to change it to suit them perfectly.


(Interesting how people who protest in such ways always feel the need to keep their faces covered. Cowards.)

It is not the pro-American people of this country that need to change, but rather government and this is what was emphasized in Palin’s comments and eventually lost by the remarks of Biden. It is sad when even positive things said by a politician can be twisted to mean something completely different by their opponents and media. I did like when Biden said, “We are one nation, under God, indivisible.” I liked it, not because I feel that this is represented anymore within society or government, but rather because that’s what our country should be. It shows us what we once were, what we are lacking, but what we could be again. Considering the words that come out of Biden’s mouth and how he acts, it is time he started behaving like he actually believes those words and holds onto to their meaning.

On a side note, I found a rather strange phenomenon when researching this entry and it keeps popping up time and time again. As in this instance, I could find Biden’s comments at a drop of the hat, but for some reason, I had a rather difficult time finding Palin’s actual statement. I eventually ran across an article where it was cited, but they felt the need to include the verbal “um’s” and “uh’s” in her speech, even though these weren’t overly obtrusive during her address. It’s odd that periodicals never include these when referencing Obama and Biden’s statements, but often insert them for McCain and Palin. It was obviously added to make her sound more stupid, for journalists are actually discouraged from inserting such things into quotation’s, for they can detract from the point behind the quote and distract the reader as well. In theory these should all be omitted by real journalists concerning all the candidates statements, but they frequently aren’t for Republican’s, yet the same “attention to detail” in quotations isn’t applied to comments from Democrats. Odd.

On The Best TV Show Openings

TV for the most part completely sucks, but there are those few and rare shows that stick with you and etch themselves a permanent place within your brain.

Oh, why couldn't my parents have named me Jack Lord, after the biggest pimp of all time?
Hawaii Five-O



I am starting a petition to have more Philip Michael Thomas interjected into the entertainment industry. Whose coming with me?
Miami Vice



Yes, the very same Tom Selleck of "Quigley Down Under" fame!
Magnum PI



Recipe to make a kick ass TV show: Richard Dean Anderson. Interesting enough he is also included in the recipe to abolish all forms of injustice in the world, along with Judd Nelson, Chuck Norris and Christopher Lambert.
MacGuyver



Brings back fond memories of my childhood, as well as the awesome Universal Studio's A-Team stunt show.
The A-Team



Side note: Time hasn't been good to Harry Anderson and I still have a huge crush on Markie Post. Dang, fem-mullets are sexy!
Night Court



Solely responsible for beating the crap out of Voltron.
Thundercats



Iconic, hilarious, original and Leslie Nielsen.
Police Squad



While I am on this subject, this is for all you Leslie fans out there:



One of the shows most responsible for getting kids interested in alcoholism at an early age.
Cheers



If you didn't like that there is always this Alternate Cheers version:

On The Judgmental Cat Commentaries

There are so many issues in the world that affect us all on a daily basis and we need someone to be able to make sense out of all these complex topics and questions. So I consider myself quite blessed that I was able to enlist the help of Judgmental Cat, who has come to give us his deep insight into these all important elements of society that consistently weigh heavily on each and every one of our heads. Move over Aristotle.

Now without further ado; Judgmental Cat, what are your views on…

…Joe Biden’s hair plugs?

...Two Girls and a Cup?

…Chevy Chase’s ground breaking, thought provoking, political opinions?

...Hot Pockets?

...Getting down to your last pinch of catnip and your nip dealer not returning any of your calls?

...When your checking out hot girls at the mall and they are picked up by their parents?

...Being picked up by the cops after the hot girl is picked up by her parents?

…The ShamWow! Guy?

...The fact that Delta Burke used to be a celebrity?

...The Freecreditreport.com douche?

...The Bailout Bill?

...Michael Vick actually getting in trouble for freeing the world of a few dogs?

...Japanese anime tentacle rape?

...Gossip Girl being a hit?

...Some countries considering mice to be sacred?

...Government destroying a free market and now going after a free press?

...My sweet ass?

...Wrapping cat feces in Tootsie Roll wrappers, hanging them from a "Candy Tree" and telling the little gagging boys and green girls that the candy isn't ripe yet after they eat the "treats."

Yes, indeed Judgmental Cat. Indeed...

On "A Memory of Lizzie" - The Writers Cut

As appeared in The Triton Review

This a review I did that was featured in The Triton Review, concerning an upcoming local play about the life of Lizzie Borden. I had to butcher the article some and rework it so that it could fit in the space alloted to me, but I have included what was cut out in parentheses, just because Halloween is coming up and I figured a little extra macabre information about Borden couldn't hurt anyone.

The Driftwood Players Can Really Hack It

Just in time for Halloween, The Driftwood Players resurrect the story of Lizzie Borden who allegedly killed her father and step-mother with a hatchet on August 4, 1892 in Fall River, Mass. By the murders of Andrew Jackson Borden and Abby Durfee Borden, a place was forever secured within the annals of American justice and criminology. The play is not just based around the slayings themselves, but also includes scenes from Lizzie's childhood and her criminal trial that began on June 5, 1893. "A Memory of Lizzie," is based on the play by David Foxton and first appeared in his book "Sepia and Song," published by Nelson Thornes in Nov. 2000. As the narrative opens, we are introduced to Lizzie as a child on a late 19th century school yard. The interaction between her and her classmates, who continually bully and torment her, cleverly foreshadow her future crimes and provide us a basis upon which we gain insight into Borden's character. Furthermore, the device offers the opportunity for several flash-forward sequences that reveal scenes from Lizzie's subsequent trial after the murders. The murder itself is not shown in the play, but the production does take artistic license concerning Lizzie's childhood and continually prefigures what would eventually come to pass. (The murder, being one of the most famous in all American history, still continues to inspire intrigue and speculation among scientists, historians and writers alike. One hundred sixteen years ago, the Borden family was quite well known, though not particularly liked among some of the social circles in Victorian era New England. According to Lizzie's testimony at her trial, she came upon the butchered remains of her father in the parlor at around 11:15 a.m. He lay upon the couch, his face severely mangled from the blade of a hatchet. Her step-mother was later discovered in an upstairs bedroom, apparently killed first, lying dead on the floor face down beside the bed. Likewise, someone had taken a hatchet and crushed the back of her skull.)(Contrary to the popular 19th century nursery rhyme, it was 11 strikes with the hatchet that killed the father and 18 or 19 that killed the step-mother, which emphasizes how savage the murder really was. The gruesome nature of the crime enthralled the nation and it was more than enough to procure a place on the front page of The New York Times. Lizzie was tried for the brutal slayings in Massachusetts Superior Court. The court proceedings lasted two weeks and despite the efforts of the prosecution, Lizzie was eventually acquitted of all charges. The jury found that the prosecution's case was just not convincing enough to negate any reasonable doubt and on June 19, 1893, she was found not guilty after only about an hour's worth of deliberation.)The production of "A Memory of Lizzie" features historically accurate portrayals of what is known about the murder and takes actual dialog straight out of the courtroom transcripts. This, combined with the fictional account of Lizzie's adolescence, provides a unique perspective into the life and persona of this infamous character. The sharp contrast between eras is accentuated by abrupt lighting changes, which are designed to make the scenes as eerie as possible. The lighting mainly consists of blue and purple hues, which when played upon the retro costumes helps give, what director William Bowen calls, "a wonderful black and white kind of feel."The play itself is written and performed under the assumption that Lizzie was indeed guilty of the slaying of her father and step-mother. This follows much of the public's perception, both at that time and currently as to who was truly responsible for the murders. (Many feel that she planned and executed the crime for one of many proposed reasons. Although, the prosecution cited Lizzie's desire to acquire the allotted money left to her in her father's will as the motive, nowadays, with the great advances in psychology, criminology and forensic science, some of the possible motives that have been proposed range from retaliation due to a thwarted love affair to an epileptic episode where she committed the crimes, yet was completely oblivious of her actions.) The murderous personage is conveyed wonderfully through actress Wendy Enden, who plays Lizzie and the chemistry between her and the other actors, not only succeeds in giving it a dark air about it, but also makes the show rather amusing at times.Though the play's subject matter is certainly not for the faint of heart, how it is executed and the perspective the show offers is a delightfully morbid Halloween treat. Certainly, there have been numerous plays, books and investigative novels that have been based around the life and alleged crimes of Lizzie Borden, but the uniqueness of the settings and characters in "A Memory of Lizzie" makes it truly one of the best depictions of Borden and the crime that I have seen, especially considering that the play lasts only a half-hour. We can be sure the sadistic murder and its possible suspects will continue to inspire authors and investigators alike for many years to come, as we can be sure that the Driftwood Players will likewise continue to produce high quality actors and plays.While the Driftwood Players may not have as high of a budget as other playhouses, this in fact works to their advantage. The lack of elegant props, backgrounds and effects demands a high level of creativity on the part of the directors and actors which makes their plays more delightful and amusing. This produces an almost improv-like atmosphere that is rarely seen, yet readily perceivable in all their productions. You get the impression that no two performances will ever be same and this truly makes The Driftwood Players unparalleled. This year, the Driftwood Players, in addition to celebrating their 50th anniversary, are nominees for best theatre group in KING 5's Best of Western Washington and it is a title that they truly deserve. The show is terrific and lives up to director Bowden's sentiment that the play is "a lot of fun."

On Two "Average" Joe's, a Leno and a Patriot

Last thursday, I opted to watch Biden on Leno rather than McCain on Letterman for a couple reasons. First, I felt pretty sure about what McCain was going to say already, just as I was sure about the attacks he was going to get from Letterman. I was positive that McCain's responses would be pretty good, with no real huge sound bytes coming out of the appearance, other than what the crew at MSNBC decided to twist around. Also, Letterman, who I used to enjoy watching, tends to aggravate me because of his constant, shrewd, condescending bias towards anyone not sharing his particular beliefs and it was an added element that drove me to tune into Leno's show instead. (Note the irony when I say that, for this is the most condescending, shrewd entry I have ever written. In my defense though, I don't run a talk show to begin with and have no patience concerning media and elected officials in government going after a single citizen because he dared ask a question. Your damn right I'm going to be shrewd!)

Despite his monologues that tend to make fun of the right exceedingly more than the left, I have always considered Leno to be pretty fair, for after all, it is a comedy show and I think it is appropriate to cut him a little slack concerning some of the content because, truthfully, you have to admit, it is pretty funny. Furthermore, I was sure Biden would do what he always does and make one of those famous "Bidenisms" that he is so well known for. So all and all, Leno seemed like the logical choice between NBC and CBS in terms of possible entertainment value. Biden certainly didn't disappoint, but Jay Leno sure as hell did.

Leno himself initiates a rather moronic conversation with Biden when he says, "Joe the Plumber. I don’t know. It seems awfully convenient, I mean I am a little suspicious, but that’s just me. You know, worried about taxes, does it seem real?" Thinking back, I can't really remember anyone I have respected so much as Jay Leno saying something so completely stupid. I was appalled at this comment, and thought that perhaps Biden wouldn't be the highlight of the evening after all, but then Biden quickly added, "Don’t have many of those plumbers in my neighborhood. Well, let me put it this way… I don’t know many plumbers that make $250,000 dollars a year worried about it. We’re kind of worried about Joe the Fireman, Joe the Policeman, Joe the real plumber with a license."

Please, someone tell me that both these educated men didn't say the things I just think they said! I don't even know where to begin to respond to the stupidity muddled comments these guys just spewed forth from their mouths, but I guess I will have to take it one step at a time. Let us focus first on Jay Leno's absurd moronic belch. Leno, brings up Joe the Plumber, whose real name is Samuel Joseph (Joe) Wurzelbacher, and adds, "I don't know." What is it exactly that Mr. Leno finds so hard to grasp about this "Joe" the Plumber guy? That he goes by his middle name? So what, I have known several people who prefer to be called by their middle names; that is hardly an issue to the voters. Is it the fact that Joe owes $1200 dollars in back taxes? Yeah, wow, thats a real rarity there. What a hazard to the United States Economy! Maybe its the fact that Joe lacks the plumbers license that would give him the ability to work within Toledo city limits, even though he still has the right to work in rural areas of the state.(Though, in all honesty I do find this odd, for most states have differences in whether contractors need to be licensed, bonded or insured or not, but these are usually state-wide laws and most states that I know of, don't break it up into "territories" concerning legal documentation, insurance and licensing.)

No, as Jay babbles on, we see that what really worries Leno is that Joe the Plumber might be some sort of pawn or plant in a huge scheme orchestrated by the Republicans to ummm... uhhh... ask Obama questions I guess. This makes no sense and the fiasco would have had to been set in motion by the Democrats if anything, for it was Obama himself who walked into Joe the Plumbers neighborhood, followed by a huge news crew and taking questions from those that lived in the community. So I guess several years prior to this, the McCain campaign, that didn't even exist yet, found a random plumber, who was late on his taxes and paid him to move into a certain neighborhood so that when McCain's future unknown opponent visited, he could ask him a couple of tough questions. Yeah, sounds perfectly reasonable.

To quote Billy Mays, "But Wait! Thats not all!" Leno goes onto say, "You know... worried about taxes? Does it seem real?" Well, speaking of out of touch, Mr. Leno apparently has lost sight of what it is like not to be famous and be affected by little things such as taxes and the government gaining an ever bigger hold on your wallet. Yeah, surely such concerns cannot be real and Joe the Plumber has to be a plant! Come on Jay, even you too were once affected by taxes, before you became this huge multi-millionaire with 500 motor vehicles. Perhaps this will help jog your memory:

Biden said some equally dumb things and admitted he doesn't have many of those plumbers in his neighborhood. Yeah, that isn't much of a surprise considering all the multi-million dollar mansions that you live around on "Main Street," Delaware there Joe. You probably would have to be making considerably more than that, with the purchase price of the home, land values and property taxes. Yet, I am sure there are plenty of "real" Fireman and Policeman in your neighborhood too, who you talk to every day about their concerns over a nice, warm danish. Check out Biden's "Main Street" right here. (His house is the one next to the lake, furthest to the south.)

Moreover, way to go after an American citizen there Biden, who just happened to make the mistake of asking Obama a question that provoked a response. Call me crazy, but perhaps, just perhaps, the focus should be on the actual response of the politician running for office, rather than on the citizen who asked it and isn't running for anything at all. Really, how patriotic is that Biden, since you seem to be so caught up on the subject recently? Is it considered patriotism to attack those that question the government, something that was actually encouraged by our forefathers? Is it patriotic to belittle those who are curious about a politicians policies while they live in the United States? Perhaps we differ on what a patriot is Mr. Biden, for I don't consider a patriot to be a leader who makes fun of citizen who is working, even though, according to you, may not have the proper paperwork or credentials, but at the same time still feels obligated to take that persons money to give it to non-citizens and people who have no job at all, or to "spread the wealth", as Obama so eloquently put it. I guess its my bad and you Mr. Biden sir, are really the true patriot after all.

On ACORN and Voter Fraud

Could you imagine if McCain was tied to a group such as ACORN, which has already admitted in some states to non-existent people, with non-existent addresses being registered to vote? It would be the fecal storm of the century and we the public would be buried up to our necks in dung from news organizations rushing to cover the scandal and their spewing of it into our homes through all forms of media. However, Obama has ties to this very group and it raises some interesting legitimate questions, yet he gets a free pass on it for the most part. It is true that my thoughts concerning media coverage between Obama and McCain in such circumstances is of a scenario that is mainly a hypothetical of a hypocritical, but based on the current trend of media and cultural biases, I do think this would be the case. Yet, with media hardly mentioning it, this isn't what really gets to me. No, in fact, media is just representing the culture in this case. This is very dangerous to the values that America claims to hold onto, but that are now, in reality, just hanging by a thin threat. Again, its our own fault for we Americans are apparently too busy or stuck in our ways to give a damn about any large injustice that takes place, as this certainly is.

I can't speak for every one of the 14 states where ACORN is being investigated, but I will use my home state of Washington as an example that I may build my point from, if there is a point that is; we will soon find out. In Washington State, ACORN has already admitted to "fraudulently" collecting voter registration. Felony charges were brought against seven people in what is referred to as the "worst case of voter fraud in Washington State history." Nearly 1800 falsified registrations, with names such as "John McCay," "Frekkie Magoal," and "Fruto Boy Crispila" (sounds like a cereal marketed towards gay people) were uncovered and all that ACORN needed to do was pay for the investigation costs, which was about $25,000 dollars and promise that they will never do it again, or face criminal prosecution. A federal, serious crime that could heavily influence the future direction of the nation and all the local government did was wave their finger at these people? Tsk, tsk ACORN. Bad ACORN.

The most interesting thing about this whole deal is some of the arguments coming from the left-wing blogosphere, which are hilarious in their lack of real thought or reasoning. I few of these include:

A.) It doesn't really matter because they are only 1800 votes, which isn't enough to swing an election.
B.) It doesn't really matter because you have to show your ID before you vote, so it wouldn't have made an impact anyway.
C.) It doesn't really matter because the Republican party probably does it too.

Well, now. Allow me to retort.


The first one is truly the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Yes, that may be the case in the end, but can we really assume that all fraud was caught? Are we safely and legitimately able to make that assumption? I, for one, don't think so and believe that though 1800 are caught, countless more probably slip through the cracks. Let us look at the last election where our current state Governor won by only 130 votes out of 2.9 million ballots, the closest in the country. Votes do matter, they count and voter fraud has the ability to sway any election one way or another, otherwise people wouldn't even attempt to do it in the first place, but they do because they know it makes an impact.

The second one is great as well and is equally, if not more stupid. Truthout.org put it worst when they said, "But this is not voter fraud, it's voter registration fraud. The two are not the same. Jive Turkey isn't showing up at the polls asking for a ballot." Yes, voters need to register, and I hope you all have, and they do need to provide a valid ID before they vote, but these two things in unison are what allows a vote to be counted. You cannot just be registered and NOT vote and have a vote counted, (or your not supposed to be able to, but perhaps there are additional fraud schemes that help this to occur) nor can you NOT be registered and vote and have a vote counted. It needs both of these things, so people who use this argument are forgetting the fact that registration is not the final step, but such groups also intend to falsify ballots as well. So such a statement holds no water at all.

The third and final one I cannot believe is even being used as an argument because all of us learned a simple basic lesson when we were children and that was that, "two wrongs don't make a right." Am I excusing Republicans and just focusing on ACORN because of some bias? Not at all, but there are several differences between ACORN and Republican voter fraud that need to be taken into account. First, Republican fraud was found in the State of Ohio with falsified ballots and let me be the first to say it is detestable. However, this is occurring in one state, while ACORN's fraud is being pursued in 13. It is a much wider problem and that’s why it grabbed my attention first, not to mention its occurring in my own home state. Secondly, the degree and amount of fraud and fraudulent names is much, much larger in the ACORN example, than the Republican one. Degree doesn't excuse it though and they are equally horrible and I feel that we Americans need to hold these groups accountable, not fill registration forms from them when we are approached, nor give them our support. Finally, ACORN was charged with wrong doing, while no charges have been filed against the GOP, but if there was illegal activity on the part of the GOP, charges should be filed immediately. So, considering all things, there are some pretty large differences that need to be taken into account when raising such an argument.

I find it appalling that these groups are just able to go about willfully breaking the law and influencing elections to their hearts content, assuming they have a heart. Any Democrat and Republican group who gets charged with such things, needs their funding taken away and they should no longer be able to provide voter registration to anybody. Not a single soul. Yet, nobody holds these people accountable and the public, media, authorities and government all make these lousy excuses in order to overlook the willful, unlawful deeds of such organizations. Why isn't there more outcry? We probably don't have the right anymore as Americans to complain about all these corrupt politicians getting into power because when things like this are uncovered we let it slide, even though it can clearly represent the corrupt nature of those persons that such groups are trying to illegitimately thrust into office. We the public, not the media or those already in government, need to hold these people accountable because if we don't, such fraud will continue to build and get worse and worse as time moves ever forward on its endless march. Right now these groups are able to continue to operate unchecked and it is about time they got a dose of some accountability.