Our fine democracy was conceived in a bar.

The Economy, Stupid:
Just as the moderator, Jim Lerher(sp?) pointed out, neither of the candidates addressed any of the impending regulations on the financial industry when discussing their takes on the economic clusterfuck our country faces. Obama, being the first to speak, said he had put forward a proposal to protect the taxpayer calling for oversight, [taxpayer] money back with gains, no golden parachutes for CEO's, and to protect the homeowner. He then pointed out the 8 years of failed Bush economic policy - something he did repeatedly throughout the debate. McCain painted a doomsday scenario, saying the failures on Wall Street were failures on Main Street, as well, and any plan he supports must have transparency and accountability. Neither candidate gave a firm answer on how the crisis would affect their presidency. When asked about their differences, McCain said that spending was out of control. He said that Republicans came to Washington to change government and were changed by it, citing some of the scandals that have landed 4 congressmen in jail. Obama agreed with McCain on earmark abuse, and proposed a tax cut for 95% of the population to "Build the economy from the bottom up".
McCain barbed Obama by saying he only curtailed earmark spending after he started running for President, and that spending "tripled over the last 5 years." Obama said that he wanted to close tax loopholes for businesses and give credits for domestic job creation. McCain said he wanted to let Americans chose the next tax code.
What Energy Crisis?:
Throughout the debate Obama equated energy independence with national security and economic growth. Promising energy independence in 10 years, he and McCain pushed for investment in renewable energy that would lead to job creation, economic stimulation and less vulnerability from energy producing but hostile countries.
Neither Candidate Ever Plays Risk (Or Risk2210):
Saber-rattling at Iran was at a minimum but McCain specifically vowed to defend Israel against nuclear destruction. No candidate specifically said that the other Iraqi exit strategy wasn't a 3-point turn around in Pakistan. McCain admired Reagan's "truth with verification" policy, and Obama said, "No soldier dies in vain", calling for responsibility in judgment. Nobody likes Al Qaeda. McCain said he would only meet with the less-than-friendly foreign leaders with certain preconditions being met, and would send minions until it was convenient to meet personally. Obama said the same thing without using the word "preconditions" and used "Under-secretary" instead of minion. Nobody defined 'victory', and McCain, accused his opponent of threatening Pakistan, and "you don't say that out loud." Only in the secrecy of back rooms, apparently.
Nobody likes Putin's Russia, either, even if Medvedev is president. Obama called for an alliance of "fledgling" democracies in Eastern Europe. McCain cryptically said to "watch Ukraine and Crimea".
Scribbled notes available as PDFs upon request.

While Wall Street gets a big, fat F for 12 (as of Friday) banks failing thus far, it might get a bonus point or two for admitting it "has a problem" and getting some therapy.

I'm not sure if $700 trillion dollars (That's $7x10^14, for those counting), being picked up by the tax payer is the right solution, but since nobody actually asked the tax payer if they really wanted it, that's the solution we get.

Biology gets an A, as does Algebra (at least thus far), Sculpture and Drawing (I assume) are A's, and Political Science should very well be too, since all we've been graded on is some minor homework.  Theatre Practicum should be getting an A - I'm there more than the teacher.

I applied for graduation, so in not too long, the college should tell me exactly what is needed for next semester to get my associates.  It may not be possible, but it's pretty damn close. If not by spring, then a few summer classes should have it done by fall.

It is very important to find out sooner rather than later, so plans and applications for the rest of undergad can be made - wherever that is going to be.  Having moved out of DC, as much of my home as it is, there is no reason not to continue exploring the country - or the world for that matter.

Note to self: Get your passport.

San Francisco is an option, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Seattle, St. Thomas - all places that are under consideration. If/when I get my passport, I'll start considering schools in Europe, and possibly Asia.  The US dollar is in the crapper, so I may as well earn some other currency somewhere and have it be worth a little more.

Ta ta,

H

...wait, I'm not Hannibal Lector.

-b

Dear Reps Mat Gillard, Bart Stupak and Senators Carl Levin and Deborah Stabenow,

I am writing to you all at once as a new citizen of Michigan. Having recently moved from Washington, DC, I am mindful of what goes on in our Capital's hallowed halls. I have seen first hand how partisanship is tearing up our country and having disastrous effects on the people of this country. I have heard similar stories from people in Washington DC, Los Angeles, and the small town of Alpena, Michigan. Our friends and family are dying for a war that never should have been started; our paychecks ring hollow as energy-backed inflation makes it harder to keep the lights on; our civil liberties are being threatened more domestically than abroad, yet companies like Exxon, Haliburton and Blackwater are profiting more and more from the destruction, chaos and instability they are perpetuating. The political influence they have is almost blatantly criminal.

Rep Jim McDermott's simple, non-partisan call for impeachment is a step on the long road to repairing America's image in the eyes of her people and that of the world. He calls for two simple things: Justice and accountability. Although it seems that "justice" and "accountability" are split on partisan lines, they are not. They are simply calls to hold the Executive office up to the same laws that ourselves and our great nation are held up to.

If you cannot support this measure with a binding vote, please give symbolic and public endorsement.

If we are not a nation of Laws, and if we simply look away as our own Executive office destroys lives at home and abroad in the interests of greed, then what are we?

I look forward to your replies. Impeachment is not something the American people take lightly. , as Rep. McDermott put it, " I fully understand the gut-wrenching consequences such a national debate could precipitate".

My thanks to all of you for your time.

-Robert Gandy

The first couple of weeks of the school year have been full of adventure, excitement, too many Variables dependent on things claiming to be the X axis, and lots and lots and lots of cold red clay.

This is what 18 credits looks like, apparently.

To help keep the lights on and gas in the car (it's a looooooong walk from Ossineke to Alpena) I've taken up a pair of part time gigs, both at the college.
In the theatre, in between sessions as a 'theatre practicum student', I'll run an occasional assembly, musical event, etc, and babysit the sound/lightboards.  Old hat.

The people that run the college newspaper, the Cross Cut, have hired me to be an editor. New hat.

Thanks to the good people at the [SPLC] for the opportunity to be a published cartoonist for the 2nd year in a row. Their sorta-quarterly REPORT is a great journal of 1st Amendment issues as they relate to Student Journalism. What better way to celebrate that anniversary than by getting picked up at a student publication? 

By Friday I shall update pictures of the kinshachi in progress (the tiger-fish sculptures) and some photos of note from my trip to Big Bear, California.

For now, it's back to doing my Algebra homework, and not just threatening it with a pencil.

I leave you with this:

Black holes aren't scary. Only their event horizon is scary. Inside that doesn't matter.

(cause it's so dense, it anihilates matter... get it?.. that was a joke, you see)

-b