Happy Friday Funnies 8/31/12

The first is from textsfromlastnight.com 😆 Have an excellent 3-day weekend, everyone!

I’m Allergic to the Republican National Convention

Anaphylaxis. That is why I stayed away this week.

OK, I took a little Benadryl and read this part of Romney’s speech (actually watching it might have sent me to the ER).

This President can ask us to be patient. This President can tell us it was someone else’s fault. This President can tell us that the next four years he’ll get it right. But this President cannot tell us that you are better off today than when he took office. America has been patient. Americans have supported this President in good faith. But today, the time has come to turn the page.

Let’s see. In 2008, I was laid off. Thank God I found a job two weeks later. It took a coworker, who was laid off a year after I was, TWO YEARS to find a new job. But he did. That’s two people who are doing better today than when Obama took office.

Yes, I know. Tell that to the millions unemployed. And the economy is still sucks But it’s getting better. Maybe at a snail’s pace, but it is. Here in the Silicon Valley, things are getting much better. I think it will continue to improve. I know that sounds like a roses and cupcakes prediction, but I believe it. And I don’t think we have to slice and dice Medicare and Social Security to get there.

Psst Obama. I can help you find some money. All that money going to Iraq and Afghanistan, aid to countries, and our “frienemies” like Pakistan to “help” us? Great place to start looking.

Anyway, for you Republicans, Conservatives, and Tea Partiers, I get it. It’s your Superbowl. Yay Romney/Ryan! Boo Obama/Biden!

The same thing will happen at the DNC only in reverse. Yay Obama/Biden! Boo Romney/Ryan! Thing is, because I’m Liberal, I’d rather watch our Superbowl. Instead of watching both (which I would usually do), I decided to just watch my team. I didn’t want to add to my irritation, considering all the annoying crap that is going on with the fender bender I was in a couple weeks ago.

The insurance company is trying to find their insured (who caused the accident) while simultaneously denying my claim. Because they supposedly fell off the face of the planet, they can’t prove their insured was involved in the accident. Um, really? The $5500 in damage to my car, their crunchy wheel, and pearl white paint on their brown pickup proves nothing?

Message to the “Gecko” blowhards: I sent you the pictures. You might want to call the number on the truck that hit me. It’s the phone number to their business. This may be a huge leap of faith, but you will probably find them there.

Bright spot: I got Shelley, my Solara, back from the shop. Even though it took two weeks, she’s looking great! YAY!!

Happy Friday Funnies 8/24/12

😆 Have a great weekend!

Paul Ryan: “My College Sweetheart was Black”

I guess this is his version of “but some of my best friends are black.”

We’re past the first decade of the 21st century, do politicians (or anyone for that matter) have to say things like this? Apparently, but who he dated is none of my business. Nor do I really care.

You can see a politicians view on racial issues more so in their voting records and reactions to racially tinged events vs. their personal relationships. After I read this story, I checked out one of my favorite go-to websites: On the Issues (Paul Ryan) I learned:

• Voted NO on $84 million in grants for Black and Hispanic colleges. (Mar 2006)
• Rated 13% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Demand enforcement of immigration laws, without amnesty. (Aug 2012)
• Rated 83% by USBC, indicating a sealed-border stance. (Dec 2006)

After the shooting at the Sikh temple in his home state, he attened the memorial and wrote on Facebook:

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone in Oak Creek who has been impacted by this tragic act of violence. I’m deeply saddened by this malicious crime and remain grateful for the selfless, dedicated service of the emergency response teams and law enforcement officials who continue to investigate this matter. As additional details are gathered, I am hopeful that we will all come together, united in a shared desire for peace and justice, and stand with the Sikh community as we grieve this loss of life.

While I’m sure this was requisite behavior for a Congressman representing the state where this tragedy occured, I thought the Facebook comment was especially nice. And it seemed sincere.

So from these couple of examples, I see a mixed view. He is sympathetic during tragedy, but that sympathy doesn’t extend to illegal immigrants. This is way more telling than what race his ex was.

Akin and the Legitimacy of the First Amendment

Representative Todd Akin, now infamous for his use of one of the most insensitive adjectives to describe rape, refuses to drop out of the race. His GOP colleagues in Missouri asked him to, and Mittens indirectly suggested he do so – as in “follow the advice of your colleagues.”

He decided to dig in his heels, and I’m giving him credit for being impassioned and unwavering. He has every right to say what he wants, even if it is cruel and humiliating. As many of you know, I’m a staunch supporter of free speech. That includes repugnant crap that Akin spewed.

It reminds me of that quote by Evelyn Beatrice Hall when she spoke of Voltaire’s views:

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

This doesn’t mean we can’t call him out on it. Freedom of speech goes both ways. He offended so many women, being especially cruel to those who have been raped. I’m glad people spoke out too, especially rape victims. This article was especially poignant: Rape Victim Reacts To Todd Akin’s Comment: Delivering ‘Baby Of A Rapist’ Is ‘Torture’ More women need to share these stories. It will help victims who heard his comments not to start to think that what they went through wasn’t “legitimate.”

Message to Todd: I understand your stubborn resolve, as I have a lot of that too. You unleashed the wrath of many, including those in your own party. All I can say is good luck with all that. You’ll need it in the days leading to November.

Totally Twisted Quote Tuesday 8/21/12

What’s a “Legitimate” Rape?

U.S. GOP Representative Todd Akin, who is trying to win Senator Claire McCaskill’s seat, said,

“First of all, from what I understand from doctors (pregnancy after rape) is really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”

And from what I understand, rape is rape. So exactly what is a legitimate rape? Is it a stranger rape (as opposed to date or marital rape)? Does the former have more weight, which means it’s the “legitimate” kind? I don’t get it.

If a woman says, “no,” it’s no. If you force her, it’s rape. I don’t care if she’s someone you’ve been dating, your girlfriend, or even your wife. It’s her body, and she has every right to determine whether or not to have sex. Hopefully, men (and yes, women too) don’t hear a woman’s “no” and think, “she really means yes” – like it’s part of “the game.” If they believe it, still. Err on the side of caution and back off.

What she wears also has no bearing. Although extremely foolish (not to mention tacky), if she’s dressed like a $2 hooker, she’s not “asking for it.” The only think she’s asking for is a style intervention. Also, she could be walking down the street naked. None of these things give someone the right to violate her.

Representative Akin released a statement and a Tweet later,

“In reviewing my off-the-cuff remarks, it’s clear that I misspoke in this interview and it does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year…all of us understand that rape can result in pregnancy & I have great empathy for all victims. I regret misspeaking”

Message to Todd: Well, I’m glad you owned it at least. I regret reading the article, though. Why? You provided a reason why many rapes go unreported. Some women don’t want to risk not being believed if their date, boyfriend, or even husband did it. They don’t want things like what they were wearing or how many men they’ve been with to influence their credibility. No means no. Rape, whether stranger, acquaintance, date, or marital, is rape. “Legitimacy” does not apply.

Life’s Curveballs

I’m starting to get caught up on your posts, blog friends. Sorry. I’ve been out of it…last Thursday I got into a fender bender. I was driving down a street on a residential area. A lady apparently didn’t see me from her stop sign, apparently. I saw her, though, from the corner of my eye. I didn’t have a stop sign, so I had the right-of-way. I applied my brakes, doing my best to avoid her, but I ended up hitting her anyway. If I didn’t see that she was coming, the accident could have been a lot worse. She would have t-boned me (driver’s side).

This is the last thing I needed. It wasn’t anywhere near as bad as the wreck I was in 4 years ago. I was rear-ended (at a stop light) by a lady driving 45 mph. I had to have radiofrequency ablation done to my cervical spine – all because the sun was “in her eyes.” 🙄 Sunglasses, people. Anyway, Thursday’s accident rattled me. I was finally “over” that big one, emotionally and financially. Physically, my neck and back will never be the same, but whatever. I moved on. Then, boom. Literally.

My poor car “Shelley” is messed up and will be going to the repair shop Monday morning. After the $2800 repair estimate, I hope they don’t find more problems. I love her. My other car (“Gold Experience”) in the accident 4 years ago was completely totaled 😦 And yes, I’m one of those weirdos who names their cars.

Seriously, what is up with me and cars? When one of my co-workers found out, he said, “Again??” I swear if I ever win the lottery, I will hire a driver. Maybe I should start playing. Heh.

Anyway, life sucks, but I take comfort in the fact that it could always be worse.

Which leads me to Spinny’s Life Tip (especially for the young ones). If you’re going through a rough time, NEVER EVER ask, “Can it get any worse?” The answer to that question is ALWAYS, “Yes, of course it can.” Don’t tempt the Universe to prove it to you.

Happy Friday Funnies 8/17/12

From various places. I’m so glad the week is over. Have a great weekend everyone! 🙂

Joe Biden & the Ch-Ch-Chain of Fools

Oh Joe.

“He said in the first hundred days, he’s going to let the big banks once again write their own rules, unchain Wall Street. They’re going to put you all back in chains.”

*sigh* He’s our go-to gaffe guy. Of course he didn’t mean anything by it, but good God that was bad. If Mittens said something like that, would people be up in arms? I’m sure of it. In that hypothetical scenario, I don’t think he’d mean anything by it either.

Let’s focus on the point he was trying to get across – the GOP’s love affair with deregulation. I’m Liberal, but I have a lot of Libertarian blood in me. However, I’m über Liberal when it comes to regulation because it protects us -the consumers. I’m not talking stupid regulations, but those that actually make sense. Like not letting banks take the money we deposit and blowing it Vegas-style. And no loan free-for-alls like the subprime fiasco. Basically, regulation steps in and assists with the factor that the market can’t control. Greed.

Even though his delivery was horrendously cringe-worthy, he’s right. By deregulating yet again, we will be put back in those chains. If we vote for the ones who constantly push for that deregulation, our confinement would be voluntary. That would make us…the chain of fools.