I hope that John Kerry does not become president for a very apolitical reason: if I’m this sick of looking at him and listening to his grating voice already, I’ll be absolutely nuts by the end of a first Kerry term.
Some of you will vote for him just for that reason.
Others will say it’s too late.
Also, as much as I think that the Swift Vets story has merit—I’m sick of hearing and reading about it, Kerry’s culpability in making his service a big deal notwithstanding.
I'm all Kerryed out.
I'm also sick of the people who pass on misinformation about the military without even the slightest pretense of looking up information. Heck, even those who have been in the military don't know everything about it. Don't just spew crap that you "heard." Research and link to your sources. Most people will appreciate that you've taken the time to do your homework and will gently correct you (as I well know).
Maybe I just have Michele's malaise: old-lady-itis. Her birthday was Tuesday and mine is approaching as well (Sunday). I've got a year on her. Maybe I'm morphing into the grumpy old cat lady. (If I start cat-blogging, you'll know that the transformation is complete.)
Nah, that can't be it. Though I joke about being up there, I've never been one to worry about the accumulation of years, considering the alternative.
I'm just not a drama-junkie. Oh sure, I like a little feces-storm as much as the next blogger, but this one is like a never-ending Hurricane Charley of stink.
And John Kerry's sputtering reactions to it are pitiable. I hate to see a man look foolish and petty in public, even if I'm not fond of the man. I'm embarrassed for him.
Come on November second.
I hear you, Baldi. That mug, that voice, that weird sense one gets that deep down inside John Kerry is listening to some twee little voice in his own head and getting ready for his Blanche DuBois moment. I'm sick to death of him, the press, Terry McAuliffe and anyone who remotely stinks of a past or future Clinton connection.
The man needs to sign the standard 180. The press needs to get back to actually reporting news and allowing people to think for themselves...ah...were we ever so young and idealistic and naive?
Who needs a drink?
Posted by: The Anchoress | August 26, 2004 at 10:46 PM
Yes, I'm tired of that jackal's breakfast, that carcass, that unraveling mummy. I want him to spend THIS Christmas in Cambodia, what with all the free time he'll have.
We have Kerry fatigue.
I am looking forward to the RNC.
Posted by: teal marie | August 26, 2004 at 11:34 PM
I had no idea that you had cats... ;)
Posted by: Paul Jané | August 27, 2004 at 12:06 AM
Paul:
I don't. It's an attitude. :-)
Posted by: baldilocks | August 27, 2004 at 12:22 AM
Look at it this way, though... If he gets elected, it will be a tragedy for this country, but on the otter heiny it will also mean four years of unrelenting comic relief :)
I will support the man as my President. He will have my loyalty and I will never indulge in the sort of vicious personal attacks that have been directed at Bush (I didn't do that even when Clinton was President).
But I'm afraid I will also feel the need to have a little fun at his expense. I always try to look for the silver lining...
Posted by: Cassandra | August 27, 2004 at 03:54 AM
Well, you know, I couldn't stand listening to Clinton talk after his first year in office, when it became evident to me he was an out-and-out liar (hey -- I was 18 in 1992... I believed the man, and liked his vision.) What's great about hating listening to the President is that I started avoiding TV news, which I've pretty much stuck by. Oh, and I stopped listening to NPR.
It wasn't until recently that I heard Kerry's voice (I don't watch TV news)... and when I heard it in the Senate testimony in the Swift Vets ad, well, I thought "My lord, so ponderous at so young an age!" and "It's surprising he survived Vietnam!"
I disbelieve the Vietnam atrocities stories because men who would do stuff like that would also have fragged Kerry. I guess they did have honor and discipline in Vietnam.
In any case, as someone else once said -- We survived Carter, we can survive Kerry. I will just spend the next 4 years ignoring the President if Kerry is elected. Which is a promise easier kept than those threatening to leave the country if Bush is re-elected. (Didn't they promise that the last time? Bastards. I guess they learned from Clinton.)
Posted by: meep | August 27, 2004 at 05:47 AM
Kerry's voice makes my teeth itch. I watched the 1971 testimony last night and at least he's moderated that oh-so-arrogant-sounding Massachusetts accent, but still. If he's elected I think I'll puncture my eardrums.
And, Juliette, us old ladies gotta stick together in our well-earned ornery-ness. Me, I'm aiming for "ornery b***h."
Posted by: BeckyJ | August 27, 2004 at 06:49 AM
Well, yeah, I survived the mind-numbing disaster that was the Carter Presidency... but I was (mumble)twenty-five years younger then.... I don't think I have the stamina that I used to, and I know that my toleration for fools is wa-a-a-a-y down.
Posted by: Sgt. Mom | August 27, 2004 at 08:59 AM
Interesting.
I know people who detest even hate President Bush just because they do not like the cut of his jib.
I have no use for Kerry, but I am troubled by these kind of arguments. Almost as much as I am by such terms as the "Clinton Justice Department" or the "Bush State Department".
I agree. If Kerry is elected then he is THE (read my or our) President for better or worse.
It had better be "our" because if this trend to "us" and "them" continues we are lost already.
Well, sorry to bother.
I will go away now.
(Great blog by the way, I truely enjoy it)
Posted by: Michael | August 27, 2004 at 09:40 AM
John Kerry has a very irritating voice. He drones on and on. I'm not buying his act, and I can believe actually KNOW people who're voting for him! I pray I never hate a man that much (the way they hate Bush). Happy soon-to-be-birthday, Juliette! Isn't getting older fun??
Posted by: La Shawn | August 27, 2004 at 10:10 AM
Kerry's stonewalling on the Swifties thing has really done a lot to make people say "I'm sick of hearing about it," hasn't it?
Who knows? Maybe it's the best strategy after all.
Posted by: Dean Esmay | August 27, 2004 at 11:02 AM
I didn't say I hate Kerry, any more than I hated Clinton. I just ignored Clinton past a certain point, and listen to no speeches he made.
If Kerry is Prez, then he's Prez. I'm not going to pretend he's some impostor on the throne or something. Or wail about how Bush =really= won the election.
That doesn't mean I have to like Kerry or listen to him pontificate. The American people had a century and some change of not hearing their President's voice, and I think I deserve that privelege as well.
Why should I suffer, just because CNN and CSPAN exist?
Posted by: meep | August 27, 2004 at 11:04 AM
I'm of the opposite opinion. Thanks to his rather inglorious political career Kerry is a relative unknown. When it comes to the office of the US presidency I think the electorate deserves to know about much about Kerry as possible, and often. If what is learned keeps him on the ropes, regardless of the free exposure, it's all good. Since up to this point in his political career he's been given a relatively free pass any criticism of him may give the appearance of sour grapes, then so be it. Though the debate should also cover the distinctions between the candidates policy choices it shouldn't neglect the histories of either, it speaks to their characters. I will say that Kerrys cumulative flaws are like an awful car wreck, you don't want to look but you can't resist the temptation. I'd like to wish you a very happy birthday Miss Juliette, I've been very happy with the content of this, your blog, and as a result that makes my cat happy too ;)
Posted by: torchy | August 27, 2004 at 12:01 PM
Michael,
It's not an argument. It's an admission of my human failings meant in a humorous manner.
Posted by: baldilocks | August 27, 2004 at 12:17 PM
Happy early birthday! I love your blog and I read it religiously. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Noah | August 27, 2004 at 12:18 PM
I also enjoy reading your blog everyday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love you.
Posted by: baldilocks' mom | August 27, 2004 at 12:46 PM
I love you too, Mom....Where's that picture? :-)
Posted by: baldilocks | August 27, 2004 at 12:56 PM
Just because his voice makes my teeth itch, doesn't mean I won't accept him as POTUS should he win the election. It just means I will most likely be reading his speeches instead of listening to them.
Posted by: BeckyJ | August 27, 2004 at 03:42 PM
[rant] Could people turn down the hatred just a little? Every little think about the people you oppose doesn't have to be offensive.
I have a voice like John Kerry. His is definitely better, and the accent is different: his is American, mine is a mixture of mostly Australian and a bunch of foreign stuff. (Yes, "foreign-sounding.") Let me say one thing: he is not trying to be arrogant and pompous with every word he speaks, _he is just talking_. That's his voice, that's how he speaks.
Do people have to take such venomous personal offence at something completely natural and harmless?
I object to what I think would happen to the Global War on Terror if he was the American President, but I don't object to every time the guy draws breath to speak. Geez!
Michael Moore is fat. So what? It doesn't make me dislike him.
I dislike him because he is a cruel liar whose films make excellent propaganda for hate-America fanatics. But every little thing about the guy is not vile. It's not him, to the very flesh and bones, that's evil, but specific things that he has done and continues deliberately to do.
Can we get by without such hatred of people, rather than their wrong actions? Please? [/rant]
By the way, this is not you, Baldilocks.
"I hate to see a man look foolish and petty in public, even if I'm not fond of the man. I'm embarrassed for him." Good for you. One day you'll be an old lady, but you'll never be an attack dog. You don't have the spite for it. It's one of the reasons I like this blog.
Posted by: David Blue | August 27, 2004 at 08:27 PM
Alright, alright.
Time for the chill pill, folks. (And people say I'm sensitive.)
Much love to you, DB. And your voice. :-)
Posted by: baldilocks | August 27, 2004 at 09:21 PM
Thank you for expressing so eloquently (as is usual for you) what I have felt...I snap off the radio every time I hear his voice. I don't hate him it's just that his vacuousness and demeanor wrapped in that voice annoy me.
BTW, I really like your blog (have been reading it for many months)and have sent several friends and relatives your way) and I wish you a very happy birthday.
Posted by: Susan | August 27, 2004 at 09:46 PM
And Happy Birthday from Elizabeth, Anna, Sara (my cats) and me!
Posted by: Indigo | August 28, 2004 at 07:50 AM
Much love to you too, Baldilocks. But … "(And people say I'm sensitive.)" They do? How many, and how often? Produce two, and let's have them checked for bruising and other indications they were intimidated to say that.
On the good side, you should consider that your suffering may be a sacrifice for the stability of your democracy. Semi-seriously.
Democracy is a good thing, but Americans have a frenzy for it. Every four years you get such a long, numbing overdose of politics it just beats the excessive zeal right out of you. By around November, anyone trying to interest Americans in some dangerous new political movement will be shown the door, not necessarily politely, because you will have had it, Had It, HAD IT UP TO THE BACK TEETH with politics and politicians.
Some of you are there already. But this is the price you pay for a system excessive enough to beat even the stubbornly political into quiescence.
Posted by: David Blue | August 28, 2004 at 09:14 AM
Dang, David Blue, you're right! You do sound like Kerry fussing.
Posted by: teal marie | August 28, 2004 at 09:31 AM
(laughing) teal marie, that means you have an opportunity to be tolerant and forgiving or actually generous regarding anything that may annoy you about Mr. Kerry, without necessarily having to say one kind word about him in particular. So seize your opportunity: have it both ways! :P
And by the way, Baldilocks: Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: | August 28, 2004 at 12:41 PM
Kerry Blues are handsome dogs, I must say. But can they play poker? ;-)
Posted by: teal marie | August 28, 2004 at 01:42 PM
David Blue - I'd say we have a sysem responsive enough to deal effectively with current political realities rather than relying on an esconced, inflexible bureaucracy. This system has the feature of polling the general electorate concerning a candidates political position without being strictly beholden to the vagueries of popular opinion. It offers the citizenry the opportunity to express the full spectrum of political opinion, individually or as a group. A candidates character IS and issue, aside from their policy positions. Character can be deduced from a candidates habits and mannerisms in conjunction with their stated positions. I can't be tolerant and forgiving of a candidates character if I deduce their actions will negatively impacts my life and the lives of others. Its my responsibility to express my misgivings, even if its just a gut feeling based on the candidates appearances. It'd certainly be foolish to forgo that exercise of opinion solely because of the candidates hurt feelings or your personal comfort level. Kerrys tone and cadence is overbearing and unresponsive, insensitive to his surroundings, I wouldn't be lead to trust the man based on that. I might be even be lead to hate him personally based on more extensive interaction. I'd definitely hate where he'd lead this country, and the world, based on his current positions and character. It makes my blood boil to even consider it.
Posted by: torchy | August 28, 2004 at 02:31 PM
It's almost midnight EDT. I believe you're in PDT. So this is either a slightly early or somewhat early HAPPY BIRTHDAY from a complete stranger.
Gosh. Love to read your stuff. Hat tip: SDB.
Reese
Posted by: Reese | August 28, 2004 at 08:42 PM
Happy birthday! We're not getting old - everything else is.
Awaken from the Swift Boat coma with me! Life's too short to spend our days reading/writing about the same stuff every day. Let's go adopt a hundred cats!
Ok, no. Just have a happy birthday.
Posted by: michele | August 29, 2004 at 03:40 AM