"This election is not about issues" (Jack Bog's Blog)

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on September 4, 2008 8:39 PM. The previous post in this blog was Major, major loss to the Oregon blogosphere. The next post in this blog is Disgrace. Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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« Major, major loss to the Oregon blogosphere | Main | Disgrace »

Thursday, September 4, 2008

"This election is not about issues"

At least, that's what the Republican Party wants.

Posted at 8:39 PM | Permalink

Comments (9)

The Republican platform is now very clear: Vote for us and we promise to end Republican rule in Washington.

Posted by Bill McDonald | September 4, 2008 10:04 PM

Someone -- say, a popular curmudgeon blogger -- ought to point out that if you look up "Welfare State" in the encyclopedia the entry on that page is just a map of Alaska and a table showing how much money those sturdy Libertarian yeoman of the snow get from THE GOVERNMENT every year.

Posted by George Seldes | September 4, 2008 10:53 PM

They are the masters of it.

Posted by Jack Bog | September 4, 2008 10:58 PM

I was listening to a political historian during the primaries. He pointed out then that every since presidential debates have been televised that elections have been shifting from issue driven to personality driven events.

Posted by Darrin | September 5, 2008 7:32 AM

I agree with your disdain for the fact this Presidential election has become a popularity contest, not a debate of substantive issues.

However, I would be careful when you start claiming that the Republicans are to blame for this.

It started when the mainstream media made Barack Obama into a "celebrity"; ignoring the content of his speeches in favor of his "charismatic delivery".

They have focused on his messianic ascent to the position of the Democratic nominee and refused to ask follow-up questions about how he is going to enact his "reforms" or how he will pay for them.

It should come as no surprise that the GOP has followed suit. Ever see any of those "man on the street" interviews with "undecided voters"? It's downright embarassing for the rest of us politicos.

I agree with your disgust, but the problem is with our educational system and the consumeristic tendencies of the culture.

As an unapologetic capitalist, I can't help but be a little sad that 70% of Americans can tell you who "Clay Aiken" is, but can't point to Iraq on a map.

TV is to definitely to blame, bur more importantly, we are. It's our responsibility to take control over our lives and convince our friends and neighbors why the nation's energy policy is far more important to them than who wins next year's American Idol.

Posted by Tim Trickey | September 5, 2008 9:42 AM

Whether it was Giuliani lamenting the fact that the Democrats rarely mentioned 9/11 during their convention, or that over the top 9/11 tribute, the repubs are clearly trying yet again to scare everyone into voting for them.

McCain only sees service to one's country as military. This is evident from Palin's mocking of community organizers, the rank militarism of the McCain bio video, and the unbelievable number of times he mentioned his POW years. It's pathetic, and it inspired me to give money to a political campaign for the first time in my life. And it felt good, I just hope Obama puts it to good use; we can't afford another four years of this.

Posted by SD Sims | September 5, 2008 11:38 AM

On virtually every issue, the country is not behind the Republicans. What else can they campaign on?

Posted by Mike Austin | September 5, 2008 1:28 PM

Well, if it is about issues, I cant wait for either campaign to start discussing them instead of stirring up crap about the other party.

Posted by Jon | September 5, 2008 4:13 PM

we can't afford another four years of this.

Until "we the people" overthrow the stupid partisan system, we will have "this" forever.

Posted by Jon | September 5, 2008 4:17 PM

In Vino Veritas

Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
Cameron, Chardonnay
B.R. Cohn, Cabernet, Silver Label 2006
Graffigna, Cabernet 2005
Palo Alto, Reserve Red 2008
Menguante, Garnacha 2008
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Felsina Berardenga, Vin Santo 1997
Anne Amie, Pinot Gris 2009
McKinley Springs, Bombing Ramge Red 2007
Vieux Papes Red
Dionysius Chardonnay 2009
Haden Fig, Pinot Noir 2009
Vega Montan, Mencia 2008
Chateau la Vernede, Coteaux du Languedoc 2007
Mount Defiance, Hellfire (White) 2008
Root: 1, Cabernet 2008
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Pinot Grigio 2009
Columbia Crest, Two Vines, Vineyard 10 White, 2008
Columbia Crest, Two Vines, Vineyard 10 Rose, 2007
Abacela, Grenache Rose 2009
Avia Cabernet 2004
Lemelson Pinot Noir, Thea's Selection 2007
Chateau de la Roulerie, Rose d'Anjou 2009
Casal Garcia, Vinho Verde Rose
La Ferme Julien, Rose 2008
Cana's Feast, Bricco Red, 2006
Hogue, Genesis Merlot, 2008
Owen Roe, Sharecropper's Cabernet, 2008
Kim Crawford, Unoaked Chardonnay 2008
J. Scott, Pinot Noir 2008
Edmunds St. John, White, Heart of Gold 2008
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2006
Stevenot, Cabernet, Sierra Foothills, "Stanford" 2000
Portuga, Vinho Rose 2009
Taylor Fladgate, First Estate Reserve Porto
Franciscan, Cabernet, Napa 2006
Chaparral de Vega Sindoa, Garnacha 2008
Quinta da Aveleda, Vinho Verde 2008
St. Francis, Chardonnay Sonoma 2008
E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone Blanc, 2007
Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly, Gamay Noir 2008
St. Innocent, Pinot Noir 2006
Jigsaw, Pinot Noir 2007
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Indian Wells 2007
Charles Shaw, Chardonnay 2008
Edmunds St. John, Bone-Jolly, Gamay Rosé 2009
Cameron, Willamette Valley Chardonnay
Il Valore, Sangiovese, Giovane, Puglia 2008
Duck Pond, Chardonnay, Wahluke Slope 2007
Kim Crawford, Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008
Domaine du Pesquier, Cotes du Rhone 2005
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006
Domaine Matrot, Chardonnay, Bourgogne 2007
David Hill, Oregon Sparkling Wine, Brut
Chandler Reach, Monte Regalo 2006
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2008
Kirkland, Columbia Valley Merlot 2008
D'Aragon, Old Vine Garnacha 2008
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2005
Pavin & Riley, Merlot 2006
David Hill, Estate Pinot Noir, Barrel Select 2006
Castle Rock, Paso Robles Cabernet 2006
Magnificent, Cabernet, Steak House 2008
Conundrum 2008
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1998
Saint Cosme, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
La Granja, Tempranillo 360, 2008
Santa Rita, Mendalla Real Cabernet 2006
Columbia Crest, Grand Estates Merlot 2006
Andezon, Cotes-du-Rhone 2007
Collegiata, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Troon, Druid's Fluid 2008
La Granja, Tempranillo 2008
Monte Antico, Toscana 2006
Vieux Papes, Blanc de Blancs

The Occasional Book

Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt

Road Work

Miles run year to date: 26
At this date last year: 15
Total run in 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269