let's clear some stuff up

I realize it's not the Oxford Dictionary, because I don't have one handy, but on dictionary.com, the definition of the word "maverick" is this:

1. Southwestern U.S. an unbranded calf, cow, or steer, esp. an unbranded calf that is separated from its mother.
2. a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates.
3. (initial capital letter) an electro-optically guided U.S. air-to-ground tactical missile for destroying tanks and other hardened targets at ranges up to 15 mi. (24 km).

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okay, focusing on just the first definition, I agree, I can see how the GOP's candidates for Prez and VP could both see themselves as mavericks: lost, confused, and one of them hails from the Southwest. On the second definition, neither candidate has shown us any of their artistic ability or actually, any imaginitive thought about how the current problems we are facing could be solved (in my humble, and admittedly only semi-informed opinion. Full disclosure: i DO actually spend some part of the day NOT reading political news and crying.) An independent stand? Really, the only candidate that even appears to have stood independently in a long time is this dude and after watching An Unreasonable Man last night to wash the stink of the debate away, I'm even more depressed that there aren't more choices for truly representative government for us voters to decide upon. (I know i finished that sentence with a preposition. Hey, at least I know how to pronounce the word "nuclear." And, I know, I know....you don't have to tell me. There is so much more screwed up with our electoral process and the corporate influence, etc. etc. If you want to comment, please send me a link to something funny.) On that third definition, I feel that yes, we should have it hammered into our heads that McCain and his ilk are truly maverick in that they are the tactical missles, and the hardened tanks are: our livelihoods, our ability to feed and clothe ourselves, to have control over our own bodies, and our Constitution. (Wait, do people still read that thing?)

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Much like you, I'm on election overload. I watched the debate last night in kind of a stupor and reacted very viscerally to both of them. Biden's teeth were so shiny and pretty. I felt warm and happy and secure listening to him speak with what appeared to be a sense of humanity and comprehension of the questions that Ifill actually asked. He wasn't just spouting party rhetoric. He wasn't re-setting the track in his head and randomly pressing play no matter what she asked. He listened, thought about it for a moment and delivered a (possibly well rehearsed) answer. But then the cameras would turn to Palin and she would wink and I would feel sick in a deep part of myself. Part of me is so happy that strong women have been making strides in this process. But why isn't is a better candidate at the forefront? I'm sure Palin is a nice person, but she doesn't appear compassionate or competent. And I don't necessarily want a nice person at the head of our country. And I DO NOT understand these people who say: I want a person just like me to be president. Um, F*** that. I'm selfish, self-centered and kind of stupid about alot of things. I swing wildly back from loathing and loving humanity. I do not want someone like me being President. I want someone better than myself.

I know it's a public forum, this blog-thing. And I'm a musician and should be focusing on the things most concern my art/livelihood, but guess what. This election directly affects that.

I feel like I can't end this post, because what's the point? It's mostly a diary entry to make me feel better about watching this election play out like a horrible car wreck about to happen and we're screaming: hit the brakes.....now, seriously. someone, press on the brakes. do something, right now, because it's like about to happen and if you don't!

I guess, I just want to say please vote. It's a travesty that Election Day is not a Federal Holiday so everyone can vote and then go enjoy a nice walk in the woods as the leaves turn and the air gets brittle and we hope that our small effort will make a big difference, but oh well. There is still 10% of me that isn't a complete pessimist about the process. I want to feel hopeful again.