On Politics
I offer these two points about Tuesday’s resounding victory for Republicans
- Republicans didn’t have a collection of candidates who said stupid things (e.g – Todd Aiken, Christine O’Donnell, Richard Murdock, and Sharon Angle)
- Democrats spent too much time running for away from themselves
Looking ahead, I see some questions:
For Republicans
- Now that you won a campaign without stating what you stand for, so what’s it going to be?
- Can you govern?
- Will you give Democrats something in order to get something done (get votes) in order to bypass the obstinate in your ranks?
For Democrats
- Will you do what you should have done long ago – dispose the Congressional leaders?
- Will you become the party of no?
- What will the White House do?
President Obama’s proclamation of moving ahead on immigration via executive order by the end of the year is not a good idea.
Congratulations to Sarah Palin (aka The Nincompoop) for saying something reasonably intelligent. Now, new Republican Congressional majority in the House and Senate, please realize that Americans were not necessarily voting FOR any party; they were voting AGAINST the continued dysfunction and corruption in D.C. … although odds are high that she surrounded his phrase with bountiful rhetoric.
Hooray … no more ridiculous campaign ads … well, at least for now.
Some election notes from The Onion
- Single strip of “I Voted” stickers more than enough for midterm polling station
- Morbidly curious nation wondering how far Obama’s appearance will deteriorate in 2 years
On This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Ovulation calendar just the ticket for rekindling couple’s lagging sex life
Clothing company releases gender-neutral underwear
Fire-Ninja Inferno becomes first openly gay fatal melee fighter
Laid-back company allows employees to work from home after 6 pm
Farmers’ Almanac predicting short season for prime-time dramas
Interesting Reads
Politicians saying “I am not a scientist”
Bumpifying politics
An interview with John Glenn
Nelson Rockefeller: A book review
The day the shortest player played baseball
Dogs – Their belly scratch-leg kick reflex
On Potpourri
For those aware of the Lauren Hill story, Wheaties announced that they will feature her on a cereal boxes in our area soon. Also, her school’s conference selected her as the Player of the Week and an Inspiration Award.
After two weeks away, it was good to rejoin the Down Syndrome group for dancing this week.
My busy week limited reading many of your latest posts. 😦
Life: The Musical returns next week with Act 12 … well, as long as I announce the theme on the next Monday Morning Entertainment.
No Saturday Morning Cartoon this week, but I am working on the next one.
Your weekend celebrations
- (Fri) Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day, Hug a Stuffed Bear Day, Magazine Day
- (Sat) Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day, X-Ray Day, Abet & Aid Punsters Day, Ample Time Day, Harvey Wallbanger Day, Try a New Recipe Day, Time Management Day
- (Sun) World Freedom Day, Scrapple Day, Chaos Never Dies Day, Parade Day
To send you into the weekend, here’s a trip by to the 1980s. Those remembering the early days of M-TV will know Down Under (Men at Work). Have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
A Frank Angle 
I have legitimately been looking forward to your post-election OitS all week. As usual, insightful and to the point!
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Twixt,
Hooray for causing me to smile this morning! Was my take expected or unexpected? All I wanted do to is put the responsibility on both parties … and the White House isn’t responsibility free!
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Thanks for posting that link to the enlightening story about dogs and their belly scratch-leg kick reflex. I will be encountering quite a lot of that next month when I visit Thurber.
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Lame,
Knowing that some of my readers are dog lovers, I just had to include this one. I’m anxious to hear your Thurber report on this issue, although the key question is will I remember to ask. 😉
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As the late, great TV writer, Larry Gelbart observed about aging, Frank, it’s not the legs that go first, it’s remembering the word for legs.
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… and a plus for losing memory is being able to hide your own Easter eggs.
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I found your notes “on politics” very interesting reading… but Frank do you think things are to improve in the near future, or is the American politics to remain the same old story..???
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Bulldog,
The one thing I fear the most (politically) is one party controlling everything because they act more like an ideological steamroller … so to me, split power is good. The upcoming configuration could work with give and take … but only time will tell because I’m not convinced either party can pull that off. … yet I am a sliver more optimistic than before…. Seeing what happens in the upcoming Lame-Duck Session will be interesting. In the end, I currently hope while hoping this made some sense.
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Try a New Recipe Day and Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day on the same day it’s calls for disaster.
I’ve lost all hope in American politics, nothing to do with the recent results, it’s gonna be the same circus.
I agree with the Onion’s call on Obama’s looks, he’ll look like Mandela by the end of his term.
Have a great weekend Frank!
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Leo,
Knowing that you are one appreciating culinary delights, I am curious to find out how you celebrate … so let me know. Your Obama/Mandela comment made me laugh, but ever so true.
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It will be interesting to see what happens with this new Congress. Sigh. Perhaps instead of gender-neutral underwear we could get them to wear party-neutral underwear. A gal can dream…
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Carrie,
Great idea … especially since party-neutral underwear don’t include fixated burrs.
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I’m just glad it’s over. Can’t tell you how nasty the fight was between Hagan and Tillis. And the money they spent…wasted. Geez!
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Renee,
I knew the Tillis-Hagan race was nasty and the money was flowing … that’s one big ouch … so cheers that it’s over!!!!
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speaking of potpouirri. i just bought a home & i can’t go there because it smells like potpouirri & i can’t breathe. opened all the windows & doors , 3 days & i sprayed vinegar . i poured baking soda on the carpet …don’t know what to do.
signed ,
breathless
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Errin,
Now you have me thinking about this … i know your write creatively,… then again I can see a potential problem … so in conclusion, I don’t know what to say!
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lol.. i don’t either, i never do, but you just reminded me,when you mentioned potpourri
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That was a thought … but I wasn’t sure … well played!!!!
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Glad this cycle of campaigning is over and oh – oh, presidential campaigns are gearing up. Here we go again. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Mary,
Oh yes, and will they ever be gearing up … at least you (in Texas) won’t get the barrage as we (in Ohio). … I don’t look forward to that again! … an 11-month avalanche.
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🙂 If you can believe it yesterday we received two campaign calls!
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YIKES!
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This weekend I plan to read your first three Interesting Reads, and also the fourth (the WSJ review of the Nelson Rockefeller biography I’m reading), if you can send it to me.
Also, in response to your Questions For Democrats: “Will you do what you should have done long ago – dispose the Congressional leaders?” – I ask the question(s): (1) Did the Republicans replace THEIR Congressional leaders – John Boehner and Mitch McConnell, following the election of Nancy Pelosi (to Speaker Of The House) in 2008, and Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader? (2) Given the results of last Tuesday’s election, did it pay off for them?
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Tim,
Regarding 2008 .. the answer is yes. Hassert was the outgoing speaker … and Boehner became Minority Leader the same year … then became Speaker in 2011 … so I’ve answered your question without examining the Senate history. I have been and will continue to be an advocate for leadership change … the risk is simple … losing more independent votes.
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You’re right about Hassert being replaced by John Boehner, and you might also be right about the failure to change leadership resulting in loss of independent votes. And both could be reasons why I now wander in the wilderness. I’m hoping however that Mitch McConnell will surprise and do some of the things during the next two years that a year ago made him (supposedly) a target for non-reelection by the Tea Party.
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Although Sen McConnell is far from each of our list of favorites, there is two good things … he doesn’t care for the Tea Party and his nasty side can benefit that. So in that light, I’m curiously watching.
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I hope someone, will do something productive in Washington. It really won’t matter what it is if it helps ANYTHING or ANYONE.
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John,
As a preface, a one-word comment says it best … Amen.
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Hey Frank!
It’s been a long time since I’ve commented here. Things have been hectic this year, but I still write when I can.
Anyway, you know I’m not big on politics, but I’m big on those that can talk about them objectively like you’ve always done.
I was discussing this the other day when a coworker brought it up. People got change, that’s for sure and the votes show it. But this will happen again in two years if they don’t get something done.
I’m personally glad the ad campaigns will cease for now, too.
Really glad to hear about Lauren Hill being on the Wheaties boxes.
Hope all is well man, and take care.
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Hey hey David … one of my Pioneers!
I’m not surprised that you know about Lauren Hill. UC will honor her at a women’s game sometime soon. One of the benefits of this being a local story with national attention is that we get some of the details.
Best things Republicans can do is to be weary of winning because an X beside their name on the ballot could have been a vote against the other … that is, not necessary a vote for them.
More importantly, thanks for stopping by. … Hey … any trips to Cincinnati in your future?
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Yeah, Lauren Hill is indeed a nice story.
I fully agree with your take on the Republicans and politics. We’re a country that always wants things done now, so they better know exactly you just said in that comment.
I’m not sure when I’ll get back to Cincinnati again. There’s plenty more I’d like to do there. But if I do go back soon, I’ll most definitely let you know.
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I really need a ‘Time Management Day’. I’m also way behind. Have a great weekend, Frank. 🙂
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Sylvia,
I definitely know the behind feeling. … but we simply do what we can.
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On politics – as usual – only time will tell.
But – regardless of the outcome I always hope for the best & the good of our country.
One can dream…
Have a great weekend Frank!
{Hugs}
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“lol” I like the Sarah Palin quote!
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Resa,
Once in a while she says something worth noting in a positive way. Problem is (for me) wading through all the other stuff.
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I hear about it being the ‘hug a stuffed bear’ day and it made me giggle. There is a day for everything now!
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Christy,
Oh yes … and I try to keep people up with the celebrations on my posts … so hey … something for everyone.
BTW … bear with me b/c it was a tough week to make my rounds.
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Here’s a tardy but big “thumbs up” for two of your “interesting reads” on politics. I was surprised by neither but so rapt at the quality of writing that I’m moved to bookmark them as references. Encapsulating verities, they are good enough to be in political-science textbooks, in my opinion.
Bumpkinification
I’m Not A Scientist
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Jim,
Glad you enjoyed those articles, both of which add to one’s perspective.
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