V is for Victory

[amari_z]

So I've been holding off on saying anything, lest it get jinxed, but it looks like the Democrats have now won the majority in both chambers of Congress. Taylor has finally conceded and James Webb has won the Virgnia seat (despite appearing on the voting machines as “James H. Jim” in parts of the state (notably in the liberal parts)). Woot!!

For a little while anyway, I'm going to let myself just be optimistic about this and be happy that (despite the voting machines, the redistricting, the terror-politics and Fox news) starting January there will finally be something to check this administration. I'm not particularly happy with the Dems, whose saving grace right now is mainly just that they aren't Republicans, but, at last, there is ray of hope after five bleak years. Don't let us down, Democrats. I want the day to come when I'm once more feeling complacent about the longevity of the Constitution and its system of checks and balances, the rule of law that it enshrines and the fundamental rights it guarantees. I want to wake up one day and no longer feel quite so ashamed of the country I was born in.

Also as everyone knows by now, Rumsfeld has finally resigned, which can only be a thing of joy. But I will be very surprised if Gates is any way better than Rumsfeld, although Gates is being touted as more moderate and pragmatic than the neo-cons--no doubt, precisely why he was chosen. He's no prize. One, he's Bush's choice (pretty much enough to make me dubious about anyone). Two, he's a former head of the CIA (and we all know how law abiding that institution is). Three, he's known as being less than honest about his government activities (for example, if you recall, he was investigated for lying to Congress about his role in Iran-Contra). Four, he is not a military expert (he served only two years in the military). Five, his expertise is in the cold war, not the Middle East. Six, he has a reputation of pressuring analysts to shape conclusions to fit the administration’s positions (exactly what this administration needs more of).

From an article in the Times:

“This is not a person with a history of telling truth to power,” said the former subordinate, Melvin A. Goodman, a Soviet analyst from 1966 to 1990. Mr. Goodman called Mr. Gates a micromanager and “not a big-picture person,” though he also called him “a hard-working, disciplined person who’s totally loyal to his bosses.”

Sounds like Bush’s kind of guy, so don't hold your breath on the bold new path thing--if he even manages to be confirmed. I hope it’s a tough battle.

Comments

[darklyscarlett.livejournal.com]

I'm inherently suspicious of people who have 'worked closely and well' with James Baker.

See now this makes me nervous, since complacency seems to be a chronic affliction of the democratic party. And I'm sick and tired of people going on about supporting Hillary but succumbing to the mindset that she's un-electable without naming any other viable candidate (okay, so Joe Biden and Barack Obama do get mentioned now and then).

And Mrs. Clinton, please, if you are going to go for it, let's get a little more in touch with your liberal side. I can't deal with any more watered-down 'centrists' running overly-conciliatory, and flat campaigns. That's partly how the Al Gore of old got himself into that Florida predicament, his campaign was trying so hard not to offend and take the issues to Bush (I'm with you in wishing we had latter-day AG as our candidate). I need this party to truly show its balls come 2008.

Of course, by then I still won't be able to vote. Sigh...

How's the week been?

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

I'm inherently suspicious of anyone who Bush nominates for a position, and, yeah, ties to Baker are certainly no recommendation--but the guy has done enough dubious shit on his own that he can certainly fall on his personal merits, or lack thereof.

Don't get me started on the fumbling Democrats (or on HC, who I have come increasingly to dislike over the last two years). As much as I would like to see a woman become president, I'm not able to stand her right now, even if I do basically get her trying to follow hubby's victorious strategy. It's still sickening--I wanted to throw up over her stance and remarks on the Israeli attack on Lebanon.

There was an interview I saw a while ago with Gary Hart when he was promoting his book The Courage of Our Convictions--and it's just a rather sad thing that the dems do in fact need someone to remind them of their supposed convictions. *Deep breath* But today, I'm just going to be happy, right?

This week is okay--if only because I'm just tired and so I’m procrastinating on stuff I need to get done. It's certainly better than last week anyway, which was--well, posted about that a few posts down. How are you doing?

[darklyscarlett.livejournal.com]

I feel you on the procrastination, especially when it's easy, trivial stuff. I'm lousy at, like, filing invoices and data entry, but now that I'm down my one minion, don't have much of a choice but to get on with it. Or not. Fast forward to the next lifetime, please!

HC is following her husband's model, and I'm with you as far as her 'centrist' voting record, and especially with that idiotic statement -- that was such a horrible move that even my Zionist friend martybeckerman, of all people, found the incursion indefensible.

But the Machiavellian side of me will fight to get her elected if it means upending the current Christian theocratic movement and pissing off the Confederacy (i.e. the Republican base). And of course, it would be nice to see Bill around more, even if he's just stumping -- he does tend to energize the party and keep up the urgency to get bills passed, since he's so earnest in his belief that government can and needs to work. I figure we can deal with her later. But of course, we've yet to see who comes out of the primaries.

Week was better, albeit I'm skint again after rent, and will be so until the day after Thanksgiving. Still behind at work, but less so now. Some stupid stuff involving my ex-assistant (oh why, why won't she just go away?). And my half-sister has once again managed to irritate the hell out of me right before the holidays (on-going saga; will post on that after a nap). But got some loving, from Lindsay (my, er, belated birthday present), and then Jordan, who brought over a bottle of wine and spent the night Tuesday. Really needed that. Some days, I'll take catharsis over rest.

Oh, and (must phone Ash about this) directordek, our receiving manager, walked in on some guy giving another man head in a stall in the men's room this afternoon -- he heard some noises, and saw feet, and then knees and feet. Yes, right in the Park Slope bookshop. **rolls eyes** l just thank god I don't have to write out incident reports.

Hope that you get some rest. I'm forcing myself to nap, as I doubt I'll get eight hours until Sunday.

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

Ah, I wish for mindless. My stuff is the other kind of bad, so the grass seems greener.

I'm so pissed at HC that I'm tempted to say I wouldn't vote for her in the primary, but I probably would--although it will depend on who is else is on offer.

Your ex-minion-type is still around? She sounds like the terminator, or gum stuck in the hair at least.

And ROTFL about the bookstore blow job. I'm tempted to say only in NY, but that's not really true, is it.

Hope you got some rest today, anyway!

[park-ave-pirate.livejournal.com]

We are now running around saying "It's the lesser of the evils". Sad but true.
One of the races here in MN was with Keith Ellison (D) who was elected. His drama centered on the fact he is the first Muslim elected to Congress. You should have seen all the mud slinging around that.

Jen

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I followed his campaign a bit. It's pretty amazing he got elected at all--I imagine his chances would have been far worse if he were of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent. There were two House candidates like that from Texas, I think, and one didn't make it past the primaries. They are both Republicans though, something that kind of makes me boggle.