Thursday, September 30, 2004

O'Reilly Thinks Kerry Won
What everyone really wants to know, let's face it, is how was the experience for snichols? And I can give to you, straight up. It's like this (warning: this story will raise more questions than it answers):

At 6:00pm pacific time, I'm in the backseat of my minister's RAV4* with a Jamaican practitioner* riding shotgun headed to a Meditation & Treatment class* in Placerville. I put on my radio's headset and tune into the clearest signal of the Presidential debate I can find.


John Kerry is asked the first question; he hits it outa the park. What's this? Bill O'Reilly or Rush Limbaugh (who really can tell the difference, but I think it's O'Reilly) is overlayed:

"That flip-flopper Kerry is at it already"

I scream. I explain the scream to women up front, and frantically try to find another clear signal without the O'Reilly overlay. I scream again. No non-O'Reilly reception is available in Folsom. I turn back. Bush is on the ropes. He's sounding whiney and desperate.

O'Reilly: "That Bolshevik Lehrer ought to be shot! The President's been on the defensive the whole debate! These debates are an outrage!

I hoot. The ministers ask for clarification. "I'm back on the Rush Limbaugh station," (I lie, thinking they may not know who O'Reilly is, and not wanting to explain) "Even he thinks Kerry is kicking butt!"

It goes on like this for sometime, with O'Reilly's invective getting stronger and stronger. He refers several times snidely to Kerry speaking French, to Kerry getting friendly with the "Krauts"! and at one point calls Jim Lehrer "a jew" (and I don't think he meant it nicely).

O'Reilly is outraged that John Kerry calls Lehrer "Jim"--"They're old friends!" he screams. "The whole thing is rigged! The state of Florida is controlled by liberals!" (okay, he didn't say that last part, but he was that freaked)

So, at this point, I'm loving it. Who knew it could be this fun to listen to a right wing fanatic implode. He's got absolutely nothin' and he is palpably quiet as Bush stumbles confusing Saddam Hussein for Osama bin Laden. The most he can muster after a while is "amens" after everyone of Bush's sentences.

Then I lose the signal in Shingle Springs. No more debate. Just a bunch of spiritual talk. When I get home, the television is asleep. I have not heard the second half of the debate or any of the spin. I am clean and pure except for Bill O'Reilly who clearly CLEARLY thinks that Kerry won the debate.

Questions raised:
*snichols has a minister?
*what's a Jamaican practitioner?
*what kind of cult is snichols into?

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Is Chuck D a Public Enemy?
Successful writer Abe Opincar (top journalist for the San Diego Reader and author of a critically acclaimed book of essays called Fried Butter) responded to my Air America musings with a 15 year old piece from the LA Weekly which goes in depth into some allegations regarding Chuck D's old Public Enemy crony Professor Griff's homophobic and anti-semetic statements and Chuck D's seeming failure to condemn them.

Of this, I know nothing, and of course, will not defend any such statements or failures. However, I can say that I have heard nothing objectionable out of Chuck D's mouth on Unfiltered . When he speaks, he speaks with inclusionary tones and LOVE.

Mainly, I cite this as an opportunity to plug Abe--I'll be reviewing his book soon (long overdue, so far it's wonderful).

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Hey, whatever happened to that liberal talk radio network?
Checking in with Air America.

6 months ago Air America started out with approximately 6 radio affiliates. Now the Air America network has 33 stations nationwide including in Sacramento, San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Santa Barbara and San Diego--not, perversely, in Los Angeles, but I understand that's temporary. Also you can always go to the website and stream it into your computer-- Air America Radio

Click here to see a list of the stations and their call letters and numbers.

In other words, it's growing pretty fast. It's also beating Rush Limbaugh and the radio version of the O'Reilly Factor in many markets--a fact which they spend a disproportionate amount of time discussing on the air (I get it, but jeez).

I still listen a lot but now I can't stand Randi Rhodes. She is just wrong too often for me to take it. Al Franken has gotten a lot smoother after 6 months on the air, sort of found his sea legs.

The best shows at this point though are:
Unfiltered, which airs from 6-9am on the west coast, 9-12 on the east. Their official blurb is pretty accurate:

Unfiltered is co-hosted by The Daily Show co-creator Lizz
Winstead, Chuck D, leader and co-founder of legendary rap group Public Enemy, and Rachel Maddow, a rabblerousing broadcaster with a doctorate in politics from the University of Oxford. This uncompromising program puts politics and culture through the wringer, uncensored and unfiltered.

And The Majority Report which seems to air at 5pm pacific hosted by indie film favorite Janeane Garofalo and Sam Seder--very funny and very political (although all of Air America is political).

Right here in Sacramento we also have a local show from 4 to 5--the Power Hour with Christine Craft at am 1240. She's got an engaging style and earned my respect for organizing and promoting a pretty successful demo against Rudy Guiliani and some other big Bush bigwigs last week.

So listen to Air America in if they're in your town and tell me what you think.


Sunday, September 26, 2004

(:)(:)(:)(:)
4 of what only appear to be snouts up for
What the @#$%! Do We Know?
Run, don't walk, to see this highly unusual movie about the relationship between quantum physics and our own perception of reality. It combines a documentary talking heads style with a fictional plot revolving around deaf actress Marlee Matlin's increasingly odd encounters with the world around her.*

I told our exceptional seven year old about the film right away figuring that except for the allusions to graphic sex, she would love it. It went like this:

Mommy: Wouldn't you love to see a movie that's how everything we think we know about what we perceive is possibly an illusion created by our own minds?

Exceptional Seven Year Old: No. Can we get ice cream after gymnastics?

*Bonus for Portland, Oregon fans, the movie begins and ends at the Baghad Theater.

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Michael Moore and Susan Lerner
A few days ago, in a nice way, snicholsblog-enthusiast Susan Lerner, head of California Clean Money Campaign (to publicly finance elections in California) wrote to me in response to my Greek Tragedy post and suggested, although not in so many words, that I stop whining and start working to elect Kerry. After all, that's what she's doing.

I knew she was right. I did. But I had to let it sink in. Today, I catch wind of Michael Moore's latest diatribe Put Away Your Hankies... and it finally does sink in--as he puts it, do the Republicans wring their hands and give up when we look like we're ahead? "Hell no. It's never over for them until the last ballot is shredded."

That's the attitude we've got to take. None of my readers live in swing states, but if you can travel to a swing state, join a cell phone bank into a swing state or write letters to your friends and relatives in these places--please do it! Give your money to the Democratic Party Kerry Fund or Sierra Club's independent expenditure campaigns.

Or give your money to me and I'll spend it on hankies...

Monday, September 20, 2004

Kids for Kerry
My kids are becoming obsessed by how they can help defeat George Bush (where could they have gotten this from?). Their latest ideas:

1) Call up all the people who are thinking of voting for George Bush and scream into the phone, "those are all lies! those are all lies!"

2) Send everyone who is undecided an electronic George Bush like the one I was given today as an extremely late birthday gift ("Mom, make sure you tell them you have to put tape over the button that says 'inspiriational' so that they can only push the button that says 'funny'. That's key and after they hear how stupid the things are that Bush has said, they'll have to vote for Kerry!").

When I explained that the latter idea might not work because many people seem to like George Bush precisely because he says stupid things, they look at me blankly.

"you're kidding, right, Mom?" one says hopefully.

"I only wish I were, honey."

Thursday, September 16, 2004

The Greek Tragedy in My Head
Transitioning from ebullient optimism to paralysis by fear over the coming election, I find myself unable to think straight enough to write--unable to find a dominant belief and tease it out.

Instead, there are competing optimistic and pessimistic Greek choruses in my head. They go like this:

The Pesimistiks: W is winning! He's winning! He's as good as won! Ohio is wierd. You don't know shit. They love this guy!

The Optimystics: John's a closer! He's a winner! You can't be so depressed! Look at Oregon! Look at, well, Oregon! Things are better than you think!

The Pesimistiks: Karl Rove's a genius, a fucking genius! He has. a. message. It's working! It's working! Kerry can't recover!

The Optimystics: But now there's Carville, and all the Clintons, and there are 8 (well close) weeks left! Look at the primaries, when it was January, we thought it was Howard Dean! Kerry's saving it! He's got the stuff!

The Pesimistiks: You are insane! You're out of touch! Look at the map, the red threat's growing!

The Optimystics: You know Republicans put out that map, it's full of lies, lies I tell you!

The Pesimistiks: Just like the lies that Dan Rather told, fabricating documents. Why it our side always gets caught? They lie like rugs. They get away with it. We can't get away with nothin.

And so on--I wish you could see me sing this whole thing to you with facial expressions. I think it would help, there's music and everything in my head and it never never ends. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Hogwarts Howler for Bush
Oh, I think it's cathartic to read Arianna Huffington's "Hogwart's Howler" column today. God why can't Kerry find his voice? Why can't they find a message and stick to it? Why can't they hammer this President who has destroyed peace and prosperity into the ground? Give me strength...

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

Bad Words and Stupid White Men
Our 7 year old daughter is reading Stupid White Men by Michael Moore. She absolutely loves it. She snatched it from Bill when he was about 40 pages into it. He was slightly concerned at the content, asked her if there were any bad words. She said, "so far there's d-a-m-m-i-t. I'll let you know if there's any others."

So last night, she's reading on the bed next to me, making outraged noises at the description of Michigan Senator Abraham's anti-environmental agenda and then soon all-of-a-sudden, she erupts, "Mommy! I found a really bad word in here! I think you should see it!"

So I lean in. She points with her finger and a twinkle in her eye, "see Mom? It's one of the worst words ever. "

There in print:

"Dick Cheney"

She laughs hysterically and keeps reading.

Friday, September 10, 2004

From Bill Maher :

And finally, New Rule:

You can't run on a mistake. Franklin Roosevelt didn't run for re-election claiming Pearl Harbor was his finest hour. Abe Lincoln was a great president, but the high point of his second term wasn't theater security. 9/11 wasn't a triumph of the human spirit. It was a fuck-up by a guy on vacation. Now, don't get me wrong, Mr. President. I'm not blaming you for 9/11. We have blue-ribbon commissions to do that.

And I'm not saying there was anything improper about your immediate response to the attacks. Someone had to stay in that Florida classroom and protect those kids. But by the looks of your convention, you'd think that the worst thing that ever happened to us was the best thing that ever happened to you. You just can't keep celebrating the deadliest attack ever as if it's your personal rendezvous with greatness. You don't see old men who were shot down during World War II jumping out of a plane every year. I mean, other than your dad. But even your dad didn't run for re-election based on a recession and his propensity to barf on the Japanese. Now, I know you'd like us all to get swept away with emotion and stop sweating the small stuff like the deficit and the environment, and focus on what's really important: how you look in a fireman's hat. But crying during your speech? I mean, come on! There's no crying in politics! It's not fair! That's a trick chicks use. How are we supposed to discuss this rationally if you're going to cry?! There's a name for people who exploit their participation in historical events for political gain. They're called the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. So I say, if you absolutely must win an election on the backs of dead people, do it like they do in Chicago, and have them actually vote for you.
Paul Krugman: Bush exploits the 'mythic reality' of war. If you haven't read this op ed in the New York Times and elsewhere--it's worth reading. Sara Faherty of Buffalo called it to my attention, something for which I'm very grateful, not only because of reading the piece but because of proof that Sara exists, something I was beginning to doubt.

Read: A Mythic Reality

Thursday, September 09, 2004

Bluesing with the Bounce
Well, you'd never know it, but I've been back on-line for about 5 days and no blog yet. Why? The simplest answer: the post-Republican convention blues and bounce--a mi no me gusta as they say in El Paso.

I think this Bush strategy of "you're safer with Bush" is a prime example of madison avenue advertising tactic numero uno (why the spanish? I just returned from so cal): sell the product using its weakest attribute (choosy mom's choose [extra salt and sugar-laden] Jif).

I'm glad that Kerry has just hired every possible advisor in the world. Every advisor in the world has said it, he needs to play offense, not defense. I don't happen to agree (and neither does my nonfictional husband, Bill) that he should completely switch the topic of Iraq and the war and only talk about the economy and health care.

Look, this is a President who's destroyed peace and prosperity--hammer on him. Come on, pal!

Wednesday, September 01, 2004

The Latest Rudolf's Diner Issue is Out!
Uncle Rudolf, Editor in Chief of Rudolf's Diner (to which I contribute my Eye on the Pie column) writes this:

"Dear Readers,
It's that time again: a.m., crickets, bleary eyes, and I'm about to wrap up the latest issue of Rudolf's Diner! Issue Nine. Doesn't seem like a lot, but it's a lot. The Diner is slowly taking hold. This issue is graced by writing from Louisiana, Minnesota, Washington, California and Arizona. Our readership is international (OK, just my friend Freddy in Spain, but still!). Tomorrow Mars.
You are going to love this issue! It is about love, envy, strength, freedom, childhood, loneliness, transformations, dirt, the life of the nomad, caring for a child, caring for a parent, addiction, story and, above all, harmony with place.
I don't need to say a word. It's all there. Have a seat in the Diner. Enjoy!
Your Loving Uncle,
Rudolf
Click here, read, print them to take out back, read some more, respond!
California Screamin'
Driving from San Diego to Disneyland this morning I picked up Rush Limbaugh interviewing W. My first instinct was to switch channels, but then I thought, well, how often do I actually hear the President interviewed on a radio talk show? (answer: never) So I listened.

If I wasn't terrified before, as I reflect upon it composing on an outdated computer in the comfort of the otherwise well-appointed home of my friends Carmel and Todd Helm (located conveniently just steps from the Nixon library and birthplace), I am now.

Last week the Los Angeles Times had Bush slightly ahead in the latest poll. On the show today he came across, I am horrified to report, as relaxed, open, articulate, warm, reassuring and on top of things. No idiotic gaffs. No menacing statements. Perfectly perfectly able to appear as a reasonable choice to anyone who is stupid enough not to have made up their mind in August/September of 2004.

So, while the Tower of Terror, California Screamin' and the other sensational rides at Disney's California Adventure caused my stomach to drop and my adreneline to flow, they were really nothing compared to the Horror of the Hinterlands ride I took with the combination of this poll and interview.

I am not subjecting myself to the convention and I'll be off-line in Yosemite, but in the meantime please tell me and my readers what you think. Click on my actual blog (instead of remaining safely in the email version) http://sarasnichols.blogspot.com/ and click on comments and post your comment directly on the blog, please.

Answer these questions (or others): who do you think will be elected President this year and why (bonus points: how can I believe what I do and yet love Disneyland so much?)?