Really Iowa?

[Laurie]

It looks like Florida might go Hillary. Doesn't matter! We don't have any democratic delegates, since the geniuses in Tallahassee decided that holding the election a couple weeks earlier was SUPER IMPORTANT. I don't know why.

I voted for Obama even though it won't count. And I voted against putting slot machines at greyhound race tracks because I don't want those abusive fucks getting any more money than they already get.

[Beth]

And I voted against putting slot machines at greyhound race tracks because I don't want those abusive fucks getting any more money than they already get.

Right on. I grew up with a rescued greyhound. Every day I would look at her and think "What if she were put down?" She was only two when my mom and dad adopted her. She's 14 now, and still pretty spry.

[Gilly]

It looks like Florida might go Hillary. Doesn't matter! We don't have any democratic delegates, since the geniuses in Tallahassee decided that holding the election a couple weeks earlier was SUPER IMPORTANT. I don't know why.

I voted for Obama even though it won't count. And I voted against putting slot machines at greyhound race tracks because I don't want those abusive fucks getting any more money than they already get.

It might count. I could see something happening at the last minute where they decide those delegates should be allowed in or at least some of them. I don't get why people aren't more upset that there are two states who probably won't have their votes counted. That should be a major story but everybody seems to be ok with it...

[Forrest]

And I voted against putting slot machines at greyhound race tracks because I don't want those abusive fucks getting any more money than they already get.

Right on. I grew up with a rescued greyhound. Every day I would look at her and think "What if she were put down?" She was only two when my mom and dad adopted her. She's 14 now, and still pretty spry.

Enough to make a cat-lover's heart melt over a dog.

[Sarah]

Do you watch Fox News or something?

Hell, no.  I avoid news as much as possible as a prophylactic against suicide, though these days for some reason I've been watching The Daily Show and The Colbert Report (I wanted to see how they're doing sans writers).  My point is that it shocks the hell out of me that such talk is happening at all.  There may be scads of more reasonable discourse out there, but the mere existence of the stuff I'm talking about says a great deal about where women still stand in this country.

[Chris L]

Dear God, there's no way I could stand Mitt Romney for another nine months.  What a maddeningly mediocre stiff.  Go, McCain, Go... until you've secured the nomination, that is. 

[Laurie]

Sarah, are you thinking about the douche that said, "When men hear Hillary talk they hear, [in a shrill, shrewish voice] "Take out the garbage!"

My jaw dropped. Seriously. Where'd they dig up that fossil?

And regarding Romney: It's kind of telling how every single campaign hates that guy and his team of creepos. He's a slickster, that fellow.

[Sarah]

I am, Laurie.  Astonishing, wasn't it?

On a completely different note, I watched the U.S. figure-skating championship this weekend and thought of you when Johnny Weir was robbed.  I didn't love his performance (I found more to admire in Jeremy Abbott's, which was flawed but had some very nice bits), but he clearly should've won.

[Martin]

I think the Reps will win if they pick McCain. I also think the Reps will win if the Dems pick Clinton. So I'm hoping for Romney, and an Obama/Edwards ticket.

Sarah, I'm also amazed at the sexism on display during this campaign. Some of the comments are insane. Really, 2008?

[Sarah]

Don't get me wrong:  I'm sure that if there weren't such a strong taboo against public racist speech (look at all the scolding directed at Bill Clinton for his fairly mild comments) a lot of poison would be poured on Obama as well.  It is, however, very telling that there is no similar prohibition against sexist commentary.

Nice dog, Beth.  If greyhounds didn't have such a strong prey drive, I'd consider adopting one myself. 

[Beth]

I think the Reps will win if they pick McCain. I also think the Reps will win if the Dems pick Clinton. So I'm hoping for Romney, and an Obama/Edwards ticket.

Sarah, I'm also amazed at the sexism on display during this campaign. Some of the comments are insane. Really, 2008?

I remember when Clinton first decided to run, and the "big question" in the news was "Is America ready for a woman president?"  That's a ridiculous thing to say, and only encourages sexism further. The fact that it was all over the news was abominable.

[Beth]

Nice dog, Beth.  If greyhounds didn't have such a strong prey drive, I'd consider adopting one myself. 

We actually had two cats at the time of her adoption. She was tested for "cat friendliness" by the adoption agency. They put them into homes mimicking the potential parents own before they can go with the actual family. So there may be hope for you.

[Laurie]

I am, Laurie.  Astonishing, wasn't it?

On a completely different note, I watched the U.S. figure-skating championship this weekend and thought of you when Johnny Weir was robbed.  I didn't love his performance (I found more to admire in Jeremy Abbott's, which was flawed but had some very nice bits), but he clearly should've won.

Johnny Weir is the Tolliver Cranston of the aughts. I'm so proud of Johnny. He has been training like crazy with his new Russian coach, and it shows.

[Sarah]

Toller Cranston.  For shame.

I don't think Johnny is half as original as Toller; he is, however, a more graceful skater. 

[emma]

Awkward family holiday moment:
We're all sitting around at Christmas dinner, and my third cousin starts talking about New York and how she's so tired from all the working and the flying and everything.
So naturally my grandmother goes, "why were you in New York? Where were you working?"
"Oh, I've been helping out with the Giuliani campaign!" she replies, brightly.

Stunned silence.

"So you're a redneck now?" my grandma says.

Lots more silence and throat clearing. Someone goes into the kitchen to open some more wine.