look below

my new post is underneath "lipstick on a pig" because I had a rough draft of it written and then the lipstick thing happened and I had to say something about that right away.

So look below, down, page down, scroll down,

does that make sense?

lipstick on a pig

Much has been said about "lipstick" recently. Sarah Palin gave a speech that was talked about on TV and radio and in restaurants and coffee shops for days. A really big deal was made out of her ad lib "lipstick" joke. Then Obama gave a speech in which he used the old expression about "lipstick on a pig." Coincidence? Maybe, but in watching the video of what he said, and more importantly, how he paused, made me interpret it otherwise. His pause and the length of his pause, until the audience starting laughing and cheering, seemed to me a verbal "wink." It was a clever way to call Sarah Palin a pig, and then claim that the expression is used by many politicians.

If you read Obama's speeches, you will find much to like in the way he addresses subjects that are important to many people. He is skilled at subtleties and nuance. I've liked that up until now. Now he's behind in the polls, Palin is a threat to his campaign.

Over the last week I've paid careful attention to the way democrats, celebrities, Hollywood types and liberals have treated Palin. I don't know much about her but I know as much as these others do. She is supposed to be a Christian, pro-life, a reformer and change agent. She has been treated with great contempt and horrible things are being said about her and her children. Politicians may talk about how they want to represent all the people but they must mean only those people who agree with them and vote for them.

be nice or just drive?

I live in a community where a lot of poeple try to be nice in the way they drive. They let other people into traffic when that person is waiting, they motion to you to go first at a four way stop when it's really their own turn to go. You get the idea. Granted there are times when it's nice to be let into a long line of traffic when you're sitting in a parking lot waiting to go. Still, what I prefer though is that people just drive. People, just drive. Follow the rules of the road. Don't make up your own rules--flashing your lights to signal to someone that you are doing some nice traffic related thing, motioning people to go, to turn, to go first, or to do some thing that you think the other person wants to do.

I prefer that people jsut follow the rules of the road. The rules of the road are perfectly good rules (laws in fact) that are tried and tested and work well. If someone has the right of way they should just go about their business and forget all the nice little traffic inventions that thwart safe and sane driving.

Half the time I miss out on someone else's nice gesture because I'm minding my own business, observing the rules of the road and I'm not reading someone else's mind who has a desire to do something nice.

Also, it amazes me how often someone wants you to do something and they don't even know what you have in mind. Our turn signal doesn't reveal everything after all. What if someone's turn signal just burnt out. I've seen many times when if you followed the directions of the kindly person motioning to you to come on ahead, you would get into an accident because the kindly soul hasn't taken everything into consideration.

What would the officer say if you told him, "I wasn't gonig to go but this person motioned to me to come on ahead, and that's when I got T-boned by that other car who had the right of way."

So just drive. Just follow the rules of the road. If you have the right of way do what you're supposed to do. If you don't, wait until it is safe to proceed. We'll all get along fine. We'll be just as safe if not safer.

speeches

I'm somewhat in the communication business. I give a lot of speeches and I'm interested in politics so I thought I'd give some brief comments on the political speeches I've heard at the conventions.


From best to worst

Sarah Palin- charming, funny, devastating to those who were so against her and unfairly picked on her, good attack on Obama, no nonsense. I especially liked the part where she talked about people in little towns.

Obama-eloquent, Obama sees a bigger picture than most, he is loved by many in our country but seems naive about evil governments in this world who hate us, I wonder if people who listen to him realize the intricate nuances in what he is saying.

Rudy-the best concept with his analogy of two resume's in your hand, and who is more qualified for the job. He had good energy and reacted well with the crowd.

President Bush-strong, believable, a little awkward, he should have given the speech in person. He is not a great speaker but he is still the most powerful person in the world and his words are significant.

Joe Lieberman--best character reference for McCain. Lieberman is one of the most honorable people I know of in Washington, his words were made more powerful and significant considering he was the Democratic candidate for VP with Gore.


McCain-his life is a great story and it lets everyone know that what you see is what you get, he is believable in that he wants to change Washington and will do what is right for the people instead of following the party line, it's consistent with what he's been about his whole career.


Hillary-radiant, supportive of what her party wanted but didn't it seem like she still wanted the party to switch to her? I would have rated her higher if I thought her speech influenced anyone or mattered that much.

Bill Clinton-didn't see it, didn't want to see it

Cindy McCain-she's believable but has an artiificial speaker's tone, too melodramatic, she's much more likeable when she speaks off the cuff.


Michelle Obama-defensive, unconvincing, not believable, she's much better smiling at Obama's side

Thompson-he went on and on about the McCain family's independence and demerits in the military but Fred, be more specific about how this does the American people any good.

Biden-tied with Thompson for last place. What a drag.