Deconstructing the Bradley Effect

I am soooo tired of hearing about the "danger" of the Bradley effect in the upcoming election.

It astounds me that, every time Obama is leading by a comfortable margin in the polls (whether in the primary versus Clinton, or currently) all of a sudden I have to read ad nauseum about the potential downfall the Senator may experience come election day.

First of all, it seems incredible to me that the first reaction, when discussing this infamous California election, is to blame the inherent racism of American society. Why would people who voted for a white Republican candidate lie and say that they had, in fact, voted for his African American Democratic opponent? Does this strike anyone else as odd? The polls leading up to election day predicted Bradley's victory as well. Consider that, according to Wikipedia, on election day, "previously (undecided) voters had voted for Deukmejian in statistically anomalous numbers." Does this strike anyone else as extremely odd?

I am no conspiracy theorist, but hasn't anyone thought that maybe the Republican machine swung into action and guaranteed the election for their boy? Fixed elections in America, and specifically in California, are not without precedent.

I don't make this point as an attempt to pretend that there isn't a race problem in America, but to instead illuminate that this "effect" may actually just have been an example of politics as usual. Only in America.

Schleping is all the Rage

Voting is the single most important part of any democracy. The second most important is trying to get other people to vote the same way as you. Now, you may not be able to get Crazybeth Hasselbeck to tone down her political arguments (that only dogs can hear) but you may be able to influence certain people in your life. People who maybe live in Florida? People who can't help giving you kisses because how can you resist when someone is "sitting, looking so perfect mit a punim like that". Here's Sarah Silverman to explain:

This is literally hilarious... Literally.

Palin...Pahlease!

Dear Gov Wink,

I was not fooled for one second by your manic folksiness and arrogant (was it an attempt at joviality?) pronouncement that you were only going to answer the questions you wanted to at last night's debate. Here's the only problem, you really didn't answer any at all. You spouted opinions written by a team of republican talking-point monkeys with a emptiness behind your eyes not seen since Cindy McCain's "painkiller period".

It's bad enough that we have had to endure a President who is nothing more than a puppet for Darth Cheney, now you, and McCain for that matter, have sold your souls to Karl Rove's apprentice. Are you really that ambitious?

Here's the problem with that spectacle last night, though you were able to, adequately, answer the questions by essentially not answering them (but in carefully prepared talking points) you were not actually present at the debate. When Senator Biden was talking about sitting up at night not knowing whether his young son would see the morning you responded with a comment about how John McCain is a maverick. What the eff does that have to do with anything?

Take my advice, go back to Alaska. Travel. See the world and it's people. Learn legitimately about the subjects that you spoke of last night. You've already proven you're a quick study, now take the time to form an opinion. Of your own.

Voting is all the Rage

Please, please, please, please vote!

Osama Bin Laden spotted by Sarah Palin

Check it out

Bitches with Badges

While Vix was staying with us over the summer, I was able to introduce her to some of my very favorite pop delicacies including; Wipeout, 1970s Disney Movies and, the creme de la creme, Cagney & Lacey. The uber-feminist shenanigans of Christine Cagney and Mary Beth Lacey are absolute gold, as is watching them bust New York scum while wearing knee high high-heeled boots. One of my favorite "sports", while watching C&L is scanning the background for the occasional palm tree. Delicious.

Anyway, I recently discovered an interview that Graham Norton did with the former stars, promoting the release of Season 1 on DVD. It is in 5 segments and it is so delightful, and funny, that I had to post them here in their entirety. Enjoy.