The view from down here.
A lot of people have asked me how I did in my run for Jupiter Inlet District 5. As expected, I lost - both of the other candidates are long time residents that put up a ton of signs and really worked their contacts. I, on the other hand, posted to my blog and watched TV.
But I did get 18.4% of the vote, which means that 6,439 people colored in the little connecting line to vote for me. Which is actually incredibly cool and a much larger number than I ever thought possible. The fact that they probably did it because I was first on the list is irrelevant (sort of).
18% doesn't sound like much until you realize that's almost 6,500 people. I'm happy. And wasn't it nice of Biden to hold my hand?
Anyhow, so that’s how that went. But now that’s it’s all over, I’d like to just take a moment to pass along my thoughts on the rest of what went down yesterday, some of which I’m pretty bummed about. So let’s start with:
THE UGLY:
Two things happened in Florida that make me want to move. Really. I know some of you are calling me a drama queen right now, and others are comparing me to Alec Baldwin or some other silly douche. But I didn’t say I am moving, I said these things make me want to. And really, it wasn’t a big step from where I was in the first place. But let me lay it out for you.
Florida, like California, allows amendments to the State Constitution to be voted on by state residents. California calls them propositions, Florida calls them amendments. Whatever you call them, it’s not a great idea. Up until (I believe) two years ago, a simple majority was required for passage, but that year, thanks to an amendment I actually appreciated, the percentage required for passage was increased to 60. I could whine for a while about why this is such an stupid way to do anything, but you need only live in a state that operates this way to find your own examples. For me, this year I have two: Amendment 1, and Amendment 2.
Amendment 1 was aimed at removing a chunk of Florida’s Constitution that was inserted in 1926 and allowed the Legislature to prevent people barred from citizenship from owning land. It was, at the time, aimed specifically at Asian immigrants. And while it’s obsolete and the Legislature has never to my knowledge used the provision, it was a racist hunk of shit that doesn’t belong in the Constitution (try telling that to the 31 asshole House members that voted against allowing Amendment 1 on the ballot though). I’m assuming you can guess where this went: the Amendment failed, which means the provision stands. Now, there wasn’t a lot of noise about this, and the Amendment was worded horribly (there was actually a triple negative in the verbiage) but to me that just says that people here are either too stupid to figure it out, too apathetic to care, or too racist to vote yes. Any way you look at it, not a ringing endorsement for the populace.
But that pales in comparison to Amendment 2, which changed the State Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. I’m so pissed off that 62% of Floridians think this steaming coil of bigoted dog shit is the business of the government, much less something that belongs in the fucking Constitution, I’m not even going to make jokes about getting some extra wives. This received big support from lots of churches (and assholes), which is just one more reason my bile backs up around organized religion (and assholes).
Note their URL: Yes2Marriage.org. What a monumental lie. I'd like to suggest that instead they try: Yes2TellingYouHowToLiveBecauseWe'reBigotedScaredLittleBitches.org
And on that note, lets move onto:
THE BAD:
Hmm. Really, the only BAD that I can think of is that I didn’t win my election, but I didn’t expect to, so I can’t really list it. Of course, anyone that reads BITF even occasionally has probably figured out that I’m a Libertarian, and that I have real doubts and worries about Obama’s domestic policy; particularly in the areas of income taxes, health care programs, protectionist trade policies and the possibility of another (please no) New Deal type of jobs program.
Funnily enough though, I met my U.S. Congressman Tim Mahoney yesterday (Mahoney lost his election because he got caught a couple of weeks ago trying to cover up the fact that he cheated on his wife - which, come to think of it, counts as a BAD itself - the fact that he lost an election over it I mean - you can make your own judgement on the fidelity part) and we spoke for a good twenty minutes. Nice guy, too. Actually listened to me and responded thoughtfully and directly. Didn’t make a pass at me OR my lovely wife. Anyway, Congressman Mahoney (who’s a Blue Dog Democrat) honestly believes (or so he said at any rate, and he is a politician so take that with a grain of salt) that Obama will govern pragmatically and from the center in the areas that most concern me, and I’m hopeful that’s true. At any rate, you certainly can’t call what MIGHT happen a bad, so let’s just jump on to:
THE GOOD:
There’s a lot good here, and all in all I’m pretty happy with the yesterday’s outcomes. I’ll go with the bulleted list to better handle my verbosity:
- For the next four years, we’ll all be spared hearing conspiracy theorists explain how the election was stolen.
- The silly geese on Facebook can finally take Hussein out of their names.
- We have absolutely no possibility of Sarah Palin being President before 2013 (and even then, unless the country is racked with nostalgia and really misses having a retard in the Oval Office, I think we’re safe from that disaster).
- There are going to be a whole bunch of serious racists going fucking bat-shit, and not a damn thing they can do about it but shoot more meth.
- Three words: International Street Cred (Biden might have called that four words).
- Tons of jokes about Biden’s plugs, botox and facelift (see preview here). Note: I do understand that this can turn into a BAD fairly rapidly - but for now, its a GOOD.
- The Dems did NOT (at least as of the time I wrote this they hadn’t) achieve a super-majority in the Senate. Even my dyed-in-the-wool-Democrat mother who, at 82 years of age worked her ass off for Obama, agrees with me that 60 Democrat Senators would be bad.
- And then there’s this (cue patriotic music):
Without sounding all soft and sappy, I am truly proud that this country was able to elect a black man to the Presidency. I mentioned this to someone lately and they challenged me on it, assuming I meant that I wanted Obama to win because he is black. Nope. I just wanted to know that the country I live in has evolved enough that it could happen. Maybe because I’m a cynic, maybe because I seem to keep meeting closet (and sometimes open) bigots down here, but I didn’t think it could. Not for a long time anyway. And today I find myself really, really happy that it did.
So Obama winning: a definite GOOD.
You know, my daughter Nina will be old enough to vote in 7 years. My son, Desmond, in 10. And, largely because of this election, by that time the race or gender of our Presidential candidates may actually no longer be an issue. And if we (and they) are really lucky, neither will their religion, or lack thereof. And that is the goodest thing of all.
Now go to sleep little Cindy Lou Who.
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Comments 27
Brad - just to set the record straight, Mahoney lost not just because he had an affair, but because he allegedly used campaign funds to pay the bitch off. Secondly, how did you do? I see 16% on your blog. How many votes does that add up to. Pretty good showing. Di
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 9:01 pm ¶I was crossing my fingers for you yesterday. Especially as I was filling in all the libertarian ovals at the voting booth. Its kinda hard to write with your fingers crossed though…
My husband and I were talking today about the 1 man 1 woman type of legislation. I’ll be honest, we’re Christians, but not those kind of Christians…(we happen to attend one of the most controversial churches is all of Christendom. If you don’t believe me, google our pastor Rob Bell.)
Anyway, it really bugs me that one side is trying to define marriage in the govt. and the other side is trying to tell me I can’t homeschool, or whatever. Hello everybody, you’re both doing the same thing, using govt. to make people do what you want them to do. I can’t say it enough these days. Mind your own damn business!!! And I’ll mind mine.
Sorry, didn’t mean to take over your blog…
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 9:13 pm ¶MOM! Do you actually READ Brad’s blog or just skim??
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 9:36 pm ¶Whatever we may disagree on (not a whole lot, actually), your blog is always a great read (and some days I actually understand what you’re trying to say). And I totally agree with all your points here.
But mostly, I’m cracking up over the photo of Biden holding your hand…bwahahaha…I must be kind of tired and wired to find it as hilarious as I do.
Sorry you lost the election, given how hard you worked…on watching tv. It would have been really fun to hear how you shake things up at the local govt there.
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 9:45 pm ¶Sorry you lost but impressive showing, man! I whole heartedly agree about props one and two… makes me sick …. and angry!
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 10:03 pm ¶Diane: Just to set the record straighter: Neither of us truly know why he lost unless you’ve been doing some exit polling I’m not aware of. At any rate, I was aware of the allegations; however they have yet to be proven. I chose to simply write that which Mahoney has admitted to. And I happen to believe that his infidelity, in and of itself, was enough to kill his candidacy down here. Such is the judgement of the people (see Amendments 1 and 2 for evidence).
And another thing, did you call her a bitch? That’s rather feisty…hope you don’t kiss my kids with that mouth
You can read the post for details and numbers by the way - they’re in there.
Heidi: I’ve always found it tremendously disingenuous that when it’s a gay marriage issue, the conservatives want to change the fucking US Constitution, but when it’s about abortion they scream about States’ rights.
Either way, you’re right - it’s about telling people how to live, which touches on some of my less-favorite parts of some of the President-elect’s proposals. But I ain’t going there today, because once again I was driving around feeling really happy about it overall. I’ll bitch about policy when it happens.
PS - Thanks for reading my blog even though I tend to get a bit rabid about religion. And thanks for having the stones to be honest here. Oh, and I did google Rob Bell: interesting cat - I’d actually like to sit in on a sermon some time because he sounds interesting. I don’t agree for a second, but I am a whore for information and originality….
Jo: You Kick ASS.
Teresa: Thanks for stopping in as always, and thanks for all the nice shit you say (and all the shit you give me). As for shaking things up, I may actually consider running Statewide for something, but that’s a secret.
Karyn: Thanks for commiserating, but I’ll be o.k. Until I want to marry a dude that is. Then I’m fucked.
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 10:37 pm ¶It WAS a great day for this country. I have never been prouder. As I’ve said all day, I don’t care about the silly gooses who voted for him because he is black, he won because of the folks who voted for him in spite of his being black. This is definite progress and (after four years of Nancy Pelosi) will pave the way for Bobby Jindal in 2012. Palin can run for dog catcher.
Posted 05 Nov 2008 at 11:34 pm ¶I like reading your blog even if I don’t often have time to comment. The religion thing doesn’t bother me. Like I said, we aren’t those kind of Christians. We’re pretty critical of organized religion too.
I dare you to bring up Rob’s name to a group of conservative Christians = )
Posted 06 Nov 2008 at 9:14 am ¶Robey: Where the fuck you been, bitch? Prior to this cycle I would have laughed my ass off at you for suggesting someone named Piyush could be President of these United States. Now I completely believe it could happen.
And just to add a little specificity to your “in spite of” comment, I was meeting with a plumber yesterday (not Joe) who told me his dad has been a serious racist his whole life (we get a lot of that down here sadly), and even HE voted for Obama (though he said his father-in-law refused to - nothing like a racist that will stick to his principles).
Heidi: I’ll keep it in mind…anything to piss that crew off would give me a giggle….
Posted 06 Nov 2008 at 10:15 am ¶If I lived in your district, I would’ve voted for you… sorry you didn’t win.
Posted 06 Nov 2008 at 12:32 pm ¶Been at Nancy’s blog
Posted 06 Nov 2008 at 3:23 pm ¶Kiss my ass. djj
Posted 06 Nov 2008 at 9:11 pm ¶Robey: Blog slut.
Diane: Can I think about it?
Posted 07 Nov 2008 at 1:38 pm ¶OMG - do it, Brad! Running for statewide office, I mean (not the kissing ass stuff). It’d make politics actually fun!
The convo you and Robey are having reminded me of the whole “Rednecks for Obama” thing…did you see that?
Posted 07 Nov 2008 at 6:26 pm ¶Brad, the newspaper (actually it’s website) said you were in my district. I said “no fucking way, I don’t live that near the inlet.” Sadly, (as it often seems) they were wrong and I was right. And much to my disheartenment I was only able to vote for 3 Libertarians; Barr, Root, and McIntosh. All of them of course lost.
Posted 08 Nov 2008 at 8:11 am ¶I was glad however that the newspaper had a link to this site. Now I have something else to do while I am putting off blog entries for another day. I am proud of you Brad and you have inspired me to take a more active role in our Party’s politics. (Well ok, you and my friend at work who says “stop talking and start doing.”)
I feel exactly as you have posted about the election. Even have went so far as to start calling Republicans assholes and idiots in my normally respective discourse with my life-long conservative Republican parents. (My mother is now a border-line Evangelical and it pisses me off. My father though is becoming proof of where my Libertarian Conspiratorial streak comes from.) I guess I am just that pissed about amendments 1 & 2, and the people who pushed them so hard (even my dad thinks they are sadly mistaken).
These 1&2 assholes make me want to burst into that old country song (and country really ain’t my thing) “What part of no don’t you un-der-stannnd!?!” Seriously. How do people not see that giving the government authority to do something is by default giving the authority to the opposite thing? If these assholes would apply that metric to everything they wish of government, maybe they would cut that shit out.
Are you coming to the meeting on the 17th? I am planning on being there.
Hey what the hell did that inlet district job pay anyway? See we just elected a person without a college degree to supervise our elections at a salary of $150k per year… I hope she proves capable. How quickly we forget it was an incapable supervisor of elections who got Palm Beach in so much trouble to begin with… HOLY RAMBLING SHIT!
Teresa: Haven’t seen it - got a link?
Tholan/John: Thanks for the encouragement and nice words. I will be there on the 17th - have you been before and have we met (I suck at remembering names - which isn’t a great trait in a politician)?
The job paid $2400/yr. I guess I should have run for the supervisor’s job, since I need the money. I don’t care if she doesn’t have a degree, but according to Karl she’s a moron.
See you on the 17th….
Posted 08 Nov 2008 at 10:23 am ¶I saw it at: http://drbsworld.blogspot.com/2008/11/heres-your-real-america-gov-palin.html (it cites the sources)
Posted 08 Nov 2008 at 2:16 pm ¶Nancy doesn’t steal stuff I write in her comments and post it as her own thoughts.
Posted 08 Nov 2008 at 7:43 pm ¶Never been. That is probably the self defeating hubris of party members. Not to sound like union man: organize, organize, organize.
I didn’t mean to imply that because she has not completed a degree that she is incapable, only that statistically the chances are against her. I “hope” for the best. I was pretty annoyed with Dr. Anderson putting his face and name on EVERYTHING to do with the Board of Elections. As if the position is free advertising for his personage. I was also thinking about the Supervisor of Elections making so much compared to the commissioners, etc. Why does the SoE need to make so much?
Posted 09 Nov 2008 at 10:29 am ¶Robey: At the risk of belaboring something no one cares about, I do want to respond to your post about stealing your comments. You’ve known me a long time; I assume you are merely teasing me about our coincidental choice of words and would never believe I’d actually steal your comments and post them as my own.
Which is o.k., except that anyone else reading this blog might think I’m actually being accused of stealing someone else’s commentary. So for those of you interested in finding out what this is a reference to, you can read the comments to the post in question, which explain it all.
But even still, this has been really bothering me, because stealing jokes or commentary is about the lowest, hackiest thing I can think of; I’d rather soil my trousers in public than engage in that behavior. In fact that’s one of the reasons that this site isn’t just a list of pithy comments and short posts pointing to interesting things on other sites, like many blogs are. I actually give a shit about writing something original and (hopefully) interesting (which also explains my 2-3 posts a week rather than 10-20).
At any rate, being accused of plagiarism, even in jest, is really disturbing to me. It’s simply not something I’d ever do.
Posted 09 Nov 2008 at 6:29 pm ¶Of course I didn’t think you were plagiarising. Damn, that is a hard word to spell. It’s a good thing you used it in the comment above so I can plagiarize your spelling. Seriously, anybody paying attention would have seen my comment then seen the same thought appear in your post a couple of weeks later. *I* didn’t think you were really stealing my thoughts but wanted to tease you about it in case any of the six or seven people reading this blog did. Many of them know us but there are probably one or two who don’t know that we’ve been finishing each other’s sentences for over 20 years.
Posted 09 Nov 2008 at 9:14 pm ¶….sentences for over 20 years.
With that out of the way I’ll advise you to start a blog of your own, since you are fucking smart and irritatingly opinionated.
You won’t, of course, but it wouldn’t suck. And at least three of the six people that read this one would stop by occasionally.
Posted 09 Nov 2008 at 9:38 pm ¶Uh, I hope that whole exchange wasn’t for me (the “one or two” who didn’t know you two have been finishing each other’s sentences for over 20 years). Hah! Anyway, I never gave what Robey said a second thought (I figured it was all in jest per all your previous exchanges), and I would never think of Brad as a plagiarising type (too much integrity beneath that macho facade).
Posted 09 Nov 2008 at 9:57 pm ¶You lose.
http://deepintheheartofbrooklyn.blogspot.com/
Posted 09 Nov 2008 at 11:18 pm ¶OMG. Macho? Have you actually met Brad?
Posted 10 Nov 2008 at 10:23 am ¶Robey, I said “facade”…I had the word “posturing” too, but deleted it.
I read your blog post BTW - funny! You sounded just like Brad. ;>
Posted 10 Nov 2008 at 10:42 am ¶Thank you. I steal his best stuff!
Also, I moved it to a new address. There’s a link on the old page. Two blogs in two days. Not bad.
Posted 10 Nov 2008 at 11:47 am ¶Post a Comment