You scratch my back....

Today, I was interested in an article entitled 'Edwards-Coulter spar' or something similar to that. I assumed that that this meant John Edwards, but soon found out that it was actually Elizabeth Edwards. From the number of articles on the subject, it appears as though this is a fairly large story right now.

For those who haven't heard, Coulter made a statement to the effect that whenever she referred to Edwards in the future, she would just say that she wished he had died in a terrorist assassination plot (because saying this is safer than referring to him as a faggot). This is in reference to a statement that Bill Maher made regarding Dick Cheney - if he were to die in a terrorist attack, fewer people would die, based on Cheney's influence in the current militant bent of US foreign policy.

Elizabeth Edwards called Hardball, where Coulter was making these statements, and implored her to stop the 'hate speech.' She compared Coulter's speech to racist language in the South.

The reason I find this especially irritating is this: political campaign contributions have increased to the Edwards campaign as a result, and Coulter's book sales have increased. Through this confrontation, both camps have gotten exactly what they wanted - more exposure to their base groups. One side can't exist without the other, really.

One of the things I always hated about listening to talk radio in high school on the way to jazz band with my dad - 570KVI for those in the Seattle area - was that we always had to listen to Kirby Wilbur, who had the 5-9am spot. To have enough to talk about each day, he would comb newspapers for controversial topics - paraphrase: "look! this Girl Scout troupe is selling thin mints at $2 higher than this other Girl Scout troupe! That's gouging! Call in and tell me how you feel about this awful situation" - that were usually extremely stupid and were brought up for the express purpose of drawing out idiot callers - paraphrase: "One time, a Girl Scout tried to rip me off, but I kicked her butt off my front porch. You can't let those little moneygrubbers get the one-up on you!" The caliber of caller was usually pretty low.

The purpose of these talk shows and tv shows are to appeal to the lowest common denominator in the American political system - the poorly educated, badly paid, easily persuaded American who is political for emotional reasons rather than logical or thoughtful reasons. These are the people who think it's funny that Coulter used a homosexual slur in reference to Edwards.

Normally, Democrats are about as culpable as Republicans in this sort of political sniping, but Ann Coulter really takes it up a notch. This, of course, helps her to appeal to those who may be interested in buying the tripe she calls her books. The most unfortunate part about all of this is that some people actually listen to what she has to say.

poem

big plans today....

Yesterday was our first full day here, so we all decided to make it a day of relaxation. We were outside in the pool for a while (it's only 1.2m deep, so I'm not so scared of it) and then we went shopping in the evening. We actually found an organizer that will fit over the bed, then the shelves will start, somewhat like those bathroom organizers that fit over the toilet. It will be nice to move my stuff out of the boys' room.

Today we start actually working, so the first order of business is to eat breakfast. Then, we'll do Kumon - a scholastic program meant to help their math skills. After that, we're going to write in our journals, and then practice piano. I think then it will be close to lunchtime.

This afternoon, we will be back in the pool, and tonight we will probably return to the mall to pick up the organizer. It's going to be a very very full day....

It's really hot here

and it's 2:30am. When we arrived, it was 85`F - at midnight. Tomorrow, I will be wearing a nice light summer dress and I will venture no further than the pool at the apartment complex.

A short description of my room - it is approximately large enough to fit a twin bed and a bedstand and a fan. That's it. So tomorrow or the next day, we're going shopping for wall organizers, since there is no space elsewhere in the room. But, it's my very own room, and that's what counts.

Right now, I'm thankful to have had a shower - anyone who has ever traveled transoceanic knows why - and to have my own bed and my own bathroom. Never mind that the whole bathroom also doubles as the shower. The builders of this apartment were apparently expecting a poor Filipina with two pairs of any clothes she might have, who would be delighted with the prospect of having her own shower at all.

Oh, and the toilet - there is a bidet, in case you were wondering. Or not wondering. I still don't get how those things work.

Tomorrow, we try some impronouncable Chinese dish that their father made. I have a feeling I'll lose even more weight here than I did living in Austria.

Shop is online!

Well, sort of. I only have one item listed thus far, but it will improve, I promise. :) Here is the one and only lone offering. I will have prettier and more fancy stuff up later, but this was a spur of the moment decision to make these while watching 'So You Think You Can Dance' last night.

You have to watch this

This is amazing. I had it on low so I wouldn't annoy my cousin or wake up her son, and it still gave me goosebumps. Enjoy.