I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker
November 6th, 2006 | by Scott |Some notes:
–Our internet connection was down all day today. Therefore, no nonviolence post. I may take Thursday off from it as well and return with the series next Monday. Stay tuned for Top 10 Tuesday tomorrow, however.
–Tomorrow will finalize my messy and painful divorce from the Republican Party. There are just too many things I disagree with this administration on. The Dems aren’t much better but there are a tad closer to my values. And no way can I vote for Rick Perry or Kay Bailey Hutchison.
–My Razorbacks continue to roll. We have our toughest game of the season this Saturday against Tennessee. Here’s hoping we continue our way to the SEC title game.
–I defy you not to love this video. I can’t stop listening to this song.
25 Responses to “I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker”
By jasonk on Nov 6, 2006 | Reply
Well, if I were in Texas, I would be casting my vote for KINKY! I hope you will be doing the same.
I will be voting for the individual, not the party. The Democrat incumbent for governor is not great, but he is better than the Republican challenger, so I’ll be voting for the incumbent. This year I think I will be voting for more Dems than I have in the past. I will also be voting based on the fact that we are experiencing one of the greatest economies in recent memory.
Frankly I will just be glad to be done with the irritating political ads.
By Scott on Nov 6, 2006 | Reply
No way I can vote for Kinky. In the televised debate we had he came off looking completely unprepared, uneducated and even racist. Not a viable candidate in my opinion. Even worse, he’s siphoning off votes from the challengers who could oust a VERY unpopular governor. Instead, the vote is gonna be split 4 ways and Perry will end up surviving.
By Cindy on Nov 6, 2006 | Reply
Sorry, the video does nothing for me. But when was the last time we agreed on music?
By Scott Freeman on Nov 6, 2006 | Reply
Aw, come on. That’s a toe-tappin, hand-clappin extraordinaire.
By Amy on Nov 6, 2006 | Reply
I loved the song, and what a voice!
I’ll be thinkin about you tomorrow at the polls. It’s d-day for me too.
By John on Nov 6, 2006 | Reply
I love the video, it just speaks the truth.
On the college football, I went to school without a team so no loyality there, now I do have some love for Penn State but the big news there is the coach getting hurt, sign of a great season. So lately I’ve paid more attention to division 3 ball, the local team Delaware Valley College has been a playoff force the last few years. The other major thing the school is known for is the movie Signs was filmed on the campus.
By Jenny P on Nov 6, 2006 | Reply
Thanks for the tip on that song. It is great!
I made my official cut with the Republican party during early voting on Friday. I even almost did a straight party vote to get out quickly (I had waited in line a long time), but I decided to do be a responsible voter and go line by line. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the governor’s race since it’ll probably end up in a run-off. Unfortunately I think Perry will come out on top.
By R-Liz on Nov 6, 2006 | Reply
I second that, jasonk. I honestly think the ads this year were more annoying than usual.
Scott– This, too, marks my separation from Republican candidates. I’ve never been a registered Republican, but they’ve traditionally gotten my vote. The state of Oregon is 100% absentee-ballot, so my voting is done. This year my ballot was all over the political spectrum. For Governor I voted Pacific Green. Had there been more from that party on my ballot, they would’ve gained my vote as well. I think I voted for a Democrat or two, and I even put my husband down as a write-in for State Senate (although I’m realizing now I don’t think he’s old enough). No Republicans.
This was the year I told myself– “No more voting for one of the two parties just b/c I think other parties are a long shot. From this point forward, I need to vote my conscience, even if he/she is a long shot.” So that’s what I did. I had to leave a few blank for just that reason.
By Jonathan on Nov 6, 2006 | Reply
Song didn’t do much for me either…though I think we have agreed on music on occasion.
You guys are behind the curve on divorcing the GOP.
I did by the time I left high school. I don’t think I voted while at Lipscomb. Then I voted for Nader twice. Then I decided I couldn’t afford that luxury in 2004. A lot of good that did me.
Speaking of Perry, I saw this UPI story (via Andrew Sullivan):
By matt elliott on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
Here’s a great SCTV take on the punk rock era with Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy — and John Candy on drums. I love it!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5MZswXjqRsU
By jasonk on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
I don’t completely understand people wanting to break up with the Republican Party. I use the term “completely” because of the hypocrisy we see among some people in the party, but that does not change the fact that Republicans still stand for smaller government, lower taxes, and a strong economy.
It troubles me that evangelicalism is in bed with the party. That puts Christianity in the wrong category, and I don’t care for it. But the Dems are in bed with certain elements of the Christian community, so it washes out. I’m just sick of hearing all the ads where people claim to be deacons, small group leaders, faithful church goers, etc. Who cares?
These are the issues that mean the most to me:
1. Abortion. It has become the greatest political hypocrisy of modern times. It is no longer an issue of what a woman does with her own body, it is an issue of a living human being put to death for no reason other than convenience.
2. The economy. We live in a time where the unemployment rate is effectively at zero percent, the economy is growing at a modest rate of 2.5%, and people are making more money than ever before. What does Nancy Pelosi mean when she wants to turn the economy around?
3. Taxes. I have never minded paying my fair share. But the older I get, the more taxes I pay. I am all for electing people who will reduce taxes for everyone, and if that means we have to cut spending in Washington, so be it.
Now, what party is most aligned with the most important issues to me? Show me, and that is who I will vote for.
By Scott on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
By the way, that song is available on emusic and itunes.
Jenny, Amy, Ruthie–I’m glad I’m not alone. We can all join Jonathan in the ranks of the disenfranchised.
Jonathan, there are many, many, many reasons to vote against Rick Perry, but I’m afraid Jenny is right. There’s just too many horses in the race to siphon off the anti-Perry sentiment.
By Scott on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
JasonK, I’m not sure of a way that I can respond without running the risk of this thread going south quickly.
But there are many reasons that many of us are leaving the party. And trust me, this hasn’t been easy for me. I was president of the Wilson County Young Republicans and once envisioned a life as a GOP politician. You should read my threat under the category “How I Got Here” for a little more history on my transition.
I don’t agree that the Republicans are for smaller government. That may have been true at one point but this administration is throwing money left and right down the black hole of Iraq while neglecting important stuff elsewhere.
I’m not convinced that our Republican officials are THAT anti-abortion. They’ve had control of the Supreme Court, both branches of Congress and the Presidency for the past 6 years. What’s been done? Abortion is trotted out as an election year tool, it seems to me. On the other hand, Democrats For Life have concrete plans to reduce the number of abortions that take place each year.
In addition, I am for a consistent ethic of human life. To me, the great hypocrisy is that we care for the unborn, then often forget about them after they are delivered. If we are consistently pro-life then we must reconsider all avenues of death: capital punishment, war, etc.
I’m not a big fan of the Democrats. They have no plan or agenda. But there is little in the Republican party these days that come close to my values.
By jasonk on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
You’re absolutely right, Scott. And btw, I don’t want to take this blog down the path of politics either, so forgive me for focusing on yours and others’ comments regarding election day. Heck,I’m just anxiously awaiting Top Ten Tuesday.
Recently George Will came and spoke to our group, and he made an interesting observation. He said that this TEXAS president has spent more money on entitlements than any of his predecessors since the Last Texas president, who was the entitlement king, LBJ. That’s a bit out of character for a Republican president. Although it cannot be completely reasoned away, one has to consider that Katrina is a factor in these entitlements, but that is for another debate. George Will also said that the thorn in the side of the Republicans in 2006 will be Iraq, the cost in dollars and in human lives will be the determining factor in today’s elections. Not the healthy economy, not abortion, not taxes. The war. Period.
And I have a problem with the direction that the war has taken. It is good that Saddam has been toppled. And it is good that he will pay the penalty for the millions of people he has murdered. But its time for us to get out.
You are right about consistency in our pro-life stance. The difference is choice. People who put their lives on the line for freedom are volunteers. People who are executed had the freedom to choose their path. The unborn have no freedom to choose to live or die. And yes, we do need to take care of them after they are born. The answer is not, in my opinion, to hand them entitlements. That only makes them more dependent.
So is the answer to hand things over to liberal Democrats? Maybe, if that’s what the majority of people want. And if that’s what they want, I’ll not complain. But it is my opinion that neither of the main parties are going to solve anything except for lining their own pockets. And therein lies the problem.
Now, bring us Top Ten Tuesday. Please :>)
By Scott on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
I had it done and ready to go and my screen froze up–so I have to rewrite it.
After lunch.
By jasonk on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
I hate it when that happens. Last month I spent all evening working on a rant about the Dixie Chicks, then lost it the same way. I figured it was you, since you’re a fan.
It wasn’t a rant on their politics, it was more a rant about their career suicide, and Natalie’s “arenas or nothing” comment that cost the group millions of dollars.
I noticed, btw, that they were not included in last night’s country music awards. Dang.
Your many fans are anxiously awaiting TTT, so get to work.
By Jonathan on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
jasonk - I haven’t got the time or the inclination to comment on your comments about entitlements, the millions killed by Saddam, etc., but I will point out that was 7.1 % in September, which I think is significantly different from zero and is why I woulnd’t be all that surprised if Michigan’s Democratic governor has some difficulty in today’s election.
By Jonathan on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
It looks like my last comment got mangled. I was trying to say the Michigan’s unemployment rate was 7.1 % in September and link to this article.
By jasonk on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
Jonathan,
I appreciate your comment. I’m sure that the unemployment rate in Michigan is higher than the national average. But the national unemployment rate is around 4%, which is, statistically, zero percent. In addition, the unemployment rate among college graduates is just barely above zero percent nationally.
By Jeff on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
I tend to agree with Jason K that the parties are pretty much interested in self-preservation and power - not about substantative change.
Interestingly, I got into an extended debate (imagine that?) with a die-hard right-wing Republican on abortion (which I oppose), and attempted (I think I succeeded, but I’m trying to not be immodest…) to statistically demonstrate that while the rhetoric espoused by the Dems is pro-abortion and the rhetoric espoused by the Reps is anti-abortion, the facts demonstrate that Republican-dominated administrations and congresses and judgeships have done nothing whatsoever to curb or reduce abortions - and that abortion rates drop - and reached their lowest points (with all identified statistical factors accounted for) during Democratic administrations - specifically the second Clinton term.
That doesn’t make me a Clinton fan, but I attempted to show that voting based on rhetoric rather than results may not be a sound decision-making process.
By Jeff on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
And I do wish I was a punk rocker! With flowers in my (albeit rapidly vanishing) hair!
By scott on Nov 7, 2006 | Reply
It’s true that the vast majority of politicians are more concerned about PAC’s and campaign contributions than they are about legislation. That’s why it’s a good idea to clean house every now and then.
On abortion, I really like the Dems for life platform. They acknowledge that abortion is with us for the time being and are proposing legislation that would actually seek to reduce it.
By matt elliott on Nov 8, 2006 | Reply
It’s sad that because of this intense discussion, the SCTV video I linked was virtually ignored. *sigh*
By Scott on Nov 8, 2006 | Reply
Matt, it was hilarious. “Falkland War Machine” had me cracking up.
By Cindy on Nov 8, 2006 | Reply
Matt,
I personally loved the link. SCTV was hilarious.