She has the funny

I now await the TV appearances of Sarah Palin with the same anticipation and laugh-readiness as I do for Rick Gervais or (late) Mitch Hedberg: "This is going to be funny". I recommend reading George Saunders' essay in the New York, My Gal, one time and a half: it's funnier when you read her real words in the introduction again and realize that she speaks the way he wrote his text. I guess Saturday Night Live did it best when they simpled quoted her - it IS comedy material.

On the day she was announced, I wondered whether she'd be dropped from the ticket quickly. Now, I'm not so sure I want it. I think she's a burden and a clear signal about McCain's approach to decision-making. On the other hand, her election and proximity to the presidency is really scary. Is it worth taking the chance? According to the latest poll numbers, yes. So let's brace for the vice-presidential debate on October 2nd!

In the mentime, let's take the names of conservatives who defend Palin. They pretty much dropped their credibility in the process and can hardly be seen as intellectually honest defenders of an opinion.

Opinions are born, they are not made

This has been evident to me for a long time. Biology plays a big part in one's political opinion. I wouldn't go as far as to say that it's always decided from the start, as events can make a person change his mind (and biology). But opinions certainly run into people's veins as much as in their brain.

This is probably in part why politics in the US are so polarized. How else to explain the steady 55-45% range in which every ellection is decided? Right now, the conditions could hardly be better for Democrats and nevertheless, they can't pass that 55% threshold. I think it would be very similar if it were the other way.

Let's face it: what is your gut feeling to people's responsibility? To paying taxes? To the military? Can you quote much data to support those opinions? And did you find the data or the opinion first? This is a good reason to talk our own opinion with a grain of salt.

Agree to agree

I was just thinking lately: Darn, I wish I had a blog to talk about the election!

So here it is: I don't get why McCain is proud that Obama said "I agree with Senator McCain" a few times at the first debate. It's not like Obama changed his mind, so it probably means that they were in agreement before. Both could have said this. In a race that's supposedly about post-partisan politics, why mock the guy that reaches across the aisle?