It's Really Hard to take the GOP Seriously

As a liberal Democrat, it is an unusual event for me to agree with any movements within the Republican party. Since Barack Obama's endorsement of Sonia Sotomayor for the next Supreme Court Justice, many details regarding her past decisions and statements have come to surface. As an Obama supporter, I realize that I was initially biased on my evaluation of Ms. Sotomayor's qualifications; nonetheless, as I began to hear from both political party's, I realized that my anticipation for a Republican rebuttal was greatly affecting my ability to evaluate information fairly.

In short, an announcer for CNN really "hit the mark" with his immediate comments after the nomination of Sonia Sotomayer. Paraphrasing, he said something along the lines of, "and now we wait to hear the Republicans rebuttal to Ms. Sotomayor's nomination."

I realized at that moment that our two party political system is set up so that there can never really be an agreement on major decisions. For instance, it really wasn't an option for Republicans to agree with the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor. Every action Barack Obama makes has to "cause extreme potential danger" to our constitutional system. The Republicans were preparing for a rebuttal, the Democrats were anticipating reacting to this rebuttal, and the American people were waiting to (for the most part), support the party they currently feel represents their interests the most.

Honestly, I do feel that conservatives have a point regarding Sonia Sotomayor's opinion on a recent Connecticut case regarding the promotion of Police Officers. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is paraphrased, "[taking] aim at the judge's ruling in the 2008 case Ricci v. DeStefano, where Sotomayor backed the decision by the city of New Haven, Connecticut, to throw out the results of a firefighter promotion exam because almost no minorities qualified for promotions."

What bothers me about the whole situation is the fact that I found myself minimizing the GOP's position because my recent memory includes a plethora of irrelevant, overblown events. The Bill Ayer's issue was absolutely rediculous; I don't think anybody who is an active member of our society can honestly say they don't have a questionable acquaintance looming around somewhere in their past. Eric Cantor lost all of my respect when he blamed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's speach on why he did not vote for the bail-out in September 2008. I'm sorry Mr. Cantor that somebody hurt your feelings and I must say that Nancy Pelosi is probably one of my least favorite Democrats, but seriously, don't make 300 million American's suffer for your emotional issues.

So where am I going with this? It should not be expected that Republicans and Democrats can not agree on anything. Growing up, my dad used to tell me to "pick my battles wisely." Throughout my teenage years, I admit I did learn this lesson the hard way; however, my adult years has been more successful because people who know me have come to respect the fact that I only make a big deal about things that keep me up at night. Instead of spending money on partisan advertising, maybe America's citizens should come together to promote battling only the battles that matter. It wouldn't be a good thing for any of us if the deal breakers get lost in all of the political fluff.

Privilages of the Rich and Famous

I want to be rich and famous so I can walk around with random shit on and people can tell me I look fabulous.

Rush Limbaugh: Five Years to Failure

Rush Limbaugh,
Besides the fact that just about every comment coming out of your mouth today is disturbing, I would like to offer you the chance to really wager your impact on the American people. Over the past few months, America has come to know you as the guy who wants every liberal thinking government official to fail. Well Mr. Limbaugh, right back at you. For the sake of our country, I hope in five years time, it will be very apparent that on many fronts, you failed as a political talk show radio host. Beyond sending the message that, "I want Rush Limbaugh to fail," I dare you to agree to leave talk radio if and when your anticipated timeline for disaster fails to become a reality. While it is hard for me to imagine ever turning to you for advice about anything, I always have the highest respect for a man who can admit that they were wrong. A true American would never want to continue giving bad advice to other Americans. If you feel so strongly about your beliefs, then you should have nothing to worry about.

Think about it,

Brooke Fienman

www.brookestatestheobvious.blogspot.com

Bong Vodka: Don't Worry People, It's Just Alcohol

One night last week I decided to check out the bar on the ground floor of my condo complex. It had been one of those days where I wished I never had gotten up that morning, and I was definitely in the mood to drink my sorrows away. When I started to discuss my alcohol ambitions with the bartender, I noticed a distinctively shaped bottle amongst a group of what I like to call, "get'er done liquors." My curiosity led me of course to inquire further about the bong shaped vodka bottle suggestively placed for maximum exposure.

Not the most shocking phenomenom, Bong Vodka (www.myspace.com/bongvodka), is a 6 times distilled premium vodka distributed out of Holland. Upon sampling this ingeniously marketed product, I was delightedly surprised to find a sophisticated, smooth, and easy to drink beverage. I've never been much of a person to take shots easily, but even I didn't make the "disgusted" face look when taking this Vodka straight.

Now lets talk about the real potential for this product...

Over the past few years our society has undergone a huge shift on the "War on Drugs," especially marijuana. With a population of 80 million, the introduction of Generation Y (AKA Millennial Generation, Millennials, Echo Boomers, Net Generation, etc) into the political and economic landscape has had much to do with re prioritizing our social agenda. In addition to the proven benefits of medical (medically used) marijuana, the young generation has followed in the footsteps of their Baby Boomer parents. Similar to the youth of the 1960's, today's young adults have found comfort in addressing the often uncomfortable.

When I saw the Bong Vodka bottle, the first thing I thought was, "yes, I would love to put that on a shelf in my family room." As a 23 year old adult, it is accepted and expected that I would have an affinity for the alcoholic beverage. I can't even count the times I talked with my parents and grandparents about times I was "a little on the drunk side." It's funny how talking about enjoying being drunk is "cool," but discussing one's affection for altering their mental state, impairing their judgement, and hindering their motor skills is grounds for serious psychiatric treatment.

So what does Bong Vodka represent to me? I can't wait for the day my parents walk into my living room and uncomfortably ask me, as if in some sort of shock-denial, why there is a bong in my apartment. Someday, I may actually set up a camera to capture the initial horror on their faces and then the sigh of relief expressed once they realize that bong shaped bottle is just a creatively marketed vodka.

I'm happy to report that shallow America has progressed to the point where we can joke about marijuana, talk about it rationally, and even make suggestive innuendos regarding the subject. We all know somebody whose done it and most of us have tried it at least once, but mainstream society continues to categorize "grown-ups" who openly enjoy marijuana as taboo. Now, Bong Vodka allows marijuana supporters to bring up the subject "without actually saying anything." Many prohibition supporters would run if somebody started a conversation with, "so what do you think about marijuana?" Aside from the initial terror-relief reaction, a marijuana supporter can safely hide under a veil of artistic appreciation. In the eyes of many, a law abiding citizen's opinion is much more valid because they aren't looking to "justify their own underlying addiction." As irrational and unrealistic this viewpoint may be, at least now the environment is neutralized so that a discussion can actually take place. Of course, this assumption is only possible because it is now acceptable "to joke about marijuana, talk about it rationally, and make suggestive innuendos regarding the subject." Progress...

Stay tuned: I'm working on using an affiliate program to enable purchasing Bong Vodka through this site!

Today's Top Twitter Comments

frankschultelad: I'm feeling suicidal. Maybe I should've accepted that invitation to go hunting with Dick Cheney.

b0wenarrow: Your like the itch that wont scratch... But guess who got a new cactus.


aloria: developing a mathematical model of the increase in fecal odor over time in a pure coprophagous diet. proceed in telling me how weird i am.


michaelpasaoa: can i come over your place, shit in your toilet..and not flush it?

Julizt: What seeds were used for seedless grapes?

DannyRapture777: its a nice day out. I think im gonna play some guitar outside.. hopefully my neighbors dont bitch.. last time he threw a spatula NO LIE


p55330: RT @juliaallison: Penguins can projectile poop up to 7 feet.

DrunksTeXT: (734) I don't want to have a conversation with u that started "We need to talk" It's been over...You cheated on me, I banged ur sister. Even.

BrettCoppol: @amanda_nan I HATE moist!!!

PriyaRunchal: I just shoplifted by accident from rite aid. I owe them $7.50 plus my dignity. half a minute ago from TwitterBerry

dressedinlove: @Fennerz yo benjumin. dont u have to have overies and a womb to be pregnant? maybe im wrong.... u craving anything unusual?

acidicice: Not my day. Just came across my old positive pregnancy test while looking for antacids.

Dick Cheney is America's Herpes

During the 8 years of the Bush administration I think I saw Dick Cheney like 4 times. The first time was for the inauguration, twice he was featured in the hospital recovering from from some sort of illness, and once he was making a statement regarding the fact that he shot somebody while hunting. Dick Cheney, you had your time, it is time for you to disappear. If you wanted the limelight, you should have said something while you were actually an elected official. Instead of using Bush as a puppet for your policies, why didn't you just run for office yourself? So why is Dick Cheney comparable to one of the most common STD's? He's hard to control and decides to appear at only the most opportune times. Don't fall for the cover-up America, this guy represents a lifetime of regrets.

The Voca People

The Voca People
Video sent by NeoSniiper

+ de buzz sur http://www.lebuzzodrome.com/

The Voca People is an international vocal theater performance that combines vocal sounds and an A Cappella singing with the art of modern beat-box. Artistic Director: Lior Kalfo Musical Director: Shai Fishman
Producers: Revital & Lior Kalfo

An Emerging Demographic: The Super Unemployed

For as long as I live I will always remember September 25th, 2008. I left my apartment on time that morning, and was excited to finally be getting used to the 9-6 workday. The doors to our office were always locked; since we managed a private equity real estate fund, there was rarely a need to bring clients in. I should have known when my key card did not work that something was going on. I even said to the person that opened the door, "what a horrible way of telling somebody they're laid off."

Around 2:30 I tried to get a hold of my boss to discuss my research in public / private partnerships, mass transit investment, and rail related auxiliary businesses. I had been well aware that the traditional commercial real estate industry was turning, and I believed that out-of-the-box thinking today would elevate a newly successful group of people when the market came back. The reply to my email included the lines, "come to the office at 3 to discuss another matter." My fears became a reality when my boss led me into the elevator to, "talk about it upstairs." By 4pm, I was out of the office, pink slip in hand.

When I was first let go, I had a lot of support. My former boss reached out to me and made a few phone calls, I had a few interviews, and even turned away from a decent opportunity because I did not think the pay was fair. I figured my month of severance would give me time to chill out for a little while, regroup, and reposition myself in the market. Throughout the fall, as the stock market and financial industry collapsed, I realized that the niche industry I had structured the last two years of my life for was gone. My "connections" were in survival mode for their own jobs, and without a vast network of professionals across all industries, my entry-level application was becoming lost in cyberspace.

Around February I would say I made the transition from just "unemployed" to "super unemployed." When you are "super unemployed," potential employers see how long you haven't had a job for and start to wonder what is wrong with you. I never thought to count how many times I've filed for my weekly unemployment check, but I've learned to fear the day that I get a letter saying, "you have expended all of your unemployment compensation benefits and extended unemployment compensation benefits." I realized I was a member of the "super unemployed" when I came to the decision that I would take a steady position that paid half the salary of my former job. When I went through my "snagajob" phase, I soon discovered that employers like McDonalds, Target, Wal-Mart, Taco Bell, and Toys R' Us, did not even consider applicants with a Bachelors degree from Emory University. I was told so many times that I was "over qualified" and "would leave once a better opportunity emerged" that I started replying with, "if you see me on the side of the road someday, you better put a dollar in my cup." At this point I've been unemployed for 8 months; how many months do employers expect to keep a minimum wage worker on staff?

You know you are a member of the "super unemployed" when you stop going to career fairs. I went to 4 or 5 before I became discouraged and stopped looking out for them. After 4 or 5 career fairs I had recieved no interviews and racked up about $30 in parking fees. There is nothing more frustrating than going to a career fair and having a representative tell you to apply online. To me this is a mockery of the unemployed and the value of our time.

About 2 months ago I tried to start an online based business with 3 other people. There was an Angel Investor program looking to fund 8 - 10 start-ups over the summer, so I took the lead in drafting a preliminary business plan. Our team got a final round interview but we were not selected. Realizing the potential of our idea and the opportunity of 4 unemployed people pooling their efforts, I was willing to work on the business full time over the summer. This is where I learned the final characteristic of what it really means to be "super unemployed." My teamates had alternatives; they had a backup place to live, another possible option, or alternative source of income. They were willing to work on the project, but only part-time. For me, having food to eat and a place to sleep was enough of a motivator to keep me working 80 hours a week if necessary. When starting a business, you go hard or go home; this business wasn't going to work out.

So my mission here is to bring to light the emerging group of people I would like to classify as "super unemployed." I would never wish upon anybody to "walk a mile in our shoes" or "spend a day sitting on our couch," but I hope that people can appreciate the strength of those who have waken up every day for months asking themselves, "what is my life's business plan?" I can't wait to answer that question; I will be the best employee for the lucky company that gives me a chance.

Advertising Outrage: Toys R' Us and Old Navy

When I was in the seventh grade I stopped buying Abercrombie and Fitch because the quarterly magazine they sent me had a double page picture of two people riding naked on a horse (I couldn't find it online, but then again it was 10 years ago). Although I was at the vulnerable age of 13, I understood that Abercrombie and Fitch was trying to sell me a fictional lifestyle available to only those who wear the necessary wardrobe. I did not realize until I went to business school years later that A & F's marketing campaign during the late 1990's was quite revolutionary. Their quarterly magazine (which I actually paid for!) dedicated a majority of the pages defining what it meant to be "exclusive" and "cool." In kids Abercrombie, collecting stickers was a right of passage. To this day, I still have Abercrombie and Fitch stickers stuck to my closet door from those influential years. I remember the excitement of getting a new sticker to put on my closet. The more stickers I had, the more items of clothing I had from A &F. I had never seen the male pelvis bone until A & F, started marketing male sexuality. When I was in the 6th grade, walking into the store featuring a blown up picture of a half naked man in ultra low rider jeans was a deceptively maturing experience. Since the day I got the quarterly issue with the naked horse riders , I have yet to make another purchase at Abercrombie and Fitch. As morally disturbing the Abercrombie and Fitch marketing campaign may have been, at least some restraint was shown on lifestyle marketing. The stickers were given to customers, and the questionably indecent photos were kept in the store. As much as I was quite disturbed by the irrelevance of the naked people on the horse in the quarterly magazine, at least I had paid (consented) for it. I realize that A & F now sells sex more openly, but in retrospect, I can see that there was at least some sort of moral limit to advertising in the late 1990's.

As a creature of habit, every Sunday I look through the coupons and advertisements regardless of the fact that I may or may not need anything. Today I saw the front cover of the Toys R' Us weekly flyer and almost fell over. The demographic of Toys R' Us ranges from toddlers to tweens; there is no reason this young girl should be wearing super tight spandex leggings with a strategically placed leg strap on her upper thigh. Now I consider myself to be a liberal progressive, but I couldn't help but react when some of my male friends made comments about the sexually suggestive picture on the front page of Toys R Us. If the girl was wearing athletic shorts, or if she was marketing a completely different product, I probably never would have noticed; however, as marketed today, this picture sells a lot more than just a Wii application.

I realize that this post is getting quite long so I will keep the comments on Old Navy's flyer to a minimum. I also think that Old Navy went so far over the line here that an extensive explanation isn't necessary. Old Navy markets leisure and business casual clothing to nearly all members of the family. I can not believe this flyer suggests visiting (or pretending to visit) a nude beach in Europe, letting "super" friends borrow your body parts, or decapitating oneself willingly. In this day in age, I don't think there could ever be an acceptable advertising scenario where a black man is decapitated. This was a major marketing fail.

Obama's Gift

The aura around Barack Obama has the political strength of JFK, the public fascination of Princess Diana, the symbolic significance of Jackie Robinson, and a demographic appeal as if all three were standing on stage together. When historians look back on the presidency of Barack Obama, I anticipate that he will be remembered as the most effective leader of all time. Although, America has had its fair share of brilliant leaders, I believe Obama's real gift is his ability to understand the power of his popularity, and actively engage his audience from an educational standpoint. Unlike any leader in history, Obama's approach in addressing our nation is focused on knowledge and not power. As we've seen over the past two years, sociological and psychological behavior determine economic equilibrium in a capitalistic society. In addition to being Commander In Chief, Barack Obama has taken on a role as our nation's pedagogue, and given its citizens the privileged title of "perpetual student." Years from now Barack Obama's biggest achievement will not be any specific piece of legislation passed during his presidency; instead, historians will reflect on his ability to communicate and mobilize our nation by increasing the average citizen's understanding of the driving factors in our economy, and the impact of social perception on economic reality.

Shit I've learned to Appreciate Since Being Laid Off

I wrote this on February 3rd 2009....approximately 4.5 months after being laid off.

1) McDonald’s Breakfast and the fact that they give you discouts if you don’t get the meat and / or cheese on your McMuffin

2) Having somewhere to go

3) Chef Boyardee’s 99% Fat Free Beef Ravioli

4) Dreaming about the day I can replace my 5 year old computer (that often overheats and turns off while playing Tetris, Poker, or some other meaningless game.

5) Standing in line with random strangers who have also been laid off recently

6) watching CNN tell the same story over and over again....realizing they are just replaying the “breaking news”

7) Seeing the total mass layoffs for the day...misery loves company?

8) The $3 pint of vodka sold “under the cabinet” at the liquor store

9) Not needing to set the alarm...somebody will call eventually and wake you up (unless you push ignore)

10) working out “for the sake of not having to buy a new wardrobe I can’t afford”

11) t-shirts / sweatpants

12) buying “cheap” blankets because you can’t afford to dry clean the expensive ones anymore

13) Having 10 half finished art projects lying around at any given time...realizing your dog may have just peed on one of them