Maybe it’s more simple than that – maybe the American people need a comedic relief from all the pain and suffering that they’ve been going through in recent months. Speculation of a double-dip recession, concerns about the environment, concerns about BP dumping millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, and even concerns about mainstream, oft-trusted companies like Johnson & Johnson poisoning their children. Maybe America does need a break; because it just doesn’t seem like Lindsay Lohan going to jail for 90 days should be this big of a deal.

More of my two cents.

Ranter

It’s time to move along folks – this story is well past its 15 minutes.

ranter

Fortunately for all of us, it’s quite likely that Sarah Palin’s day-time television show will only be as long and successful as her time on the VP ticket. I’m just constantly amazed that this woman hasn’t faded into obscurity, but then I have to imagine it’s the same reason that freak-shows and carnival amusements succeed over time. She’s like a car wreck – you don’t want to watch, but you’re compelled to see the horror.

A special thanks to Robin Williams and David Letterman for making this “rant” possible.

Ranter

Since losing the election, Sarah Palin has apparently be slammed on the interview circuit and much what they’re looking for is dirt.  With everything flying around about her daughter, her son’s birth, and what comes next it’s no wonder that she’s a bit overwhelmed.  The following quote, from Esquire’s upcoming magazine sums up her feelings for some of the people writing about her.

“Bored, anonymous, pathetic bloggers who lie annoy me….I’ll tell you, yesterday the Anchorage Daily News, they called again to ask — double-, triple-, quadruple-check — who is Trig’s real mom,” she said, in an interview to be published in Esquire’s March issue.  “And I said, Come on, are you kidding me? We’re gonna answer this? Do you not believe me or my doctor? And they said, No, it’s been quite cryptic the way that my son’s birth has been discussed. And I thought, Okay, more indication of continued problems in the world of journalism.”

What’s most enjoyable is that’s the nugget of “news” that she holds onto.  Someone questioned the paternity of one of her children and it got out of hand – but given all the other lies and deception that exist in politics is it really that far outside the realm of possibility that she wasn’t being truthful to protect her daughter?  Any doubt?  I have a bridge to nowhere you might be interested in buying.

The best part of the whole thing?  Now the Anchorage Daily News’ editor is coming out to say that the questions were solely to help correct some of the conspiracy theories surround Sarah Palin.  After talking with teh Governor’s office the newspaper left the story unpublished because of a lack of cooperation from the Palin family.  The editor goes on to say in the newspaper and in the paper’s own blog that:

“I don’t believe we have ever published in the newspaper a story, a letter, a column or anything alleging a coverup surrounding your maternity.  In fact, my integrity and the integrity of the newspaper have been repeatedly attacked in national forums for our complicity in the ‘coverup.”

Later, he added: “…So I don’t understand the behavior of the governor’s press office. Did the governor not share my email with the press staff? Did the press staff deliberately ignore what I said in order to have a longer list of press ‘outrages’? Or are they just sloppy with details? I don’t know.”

Sarah Palin’s 15 minutes are up – lets move on already.  This woman has shown over and over again that she was an unsuitable candidate for any national office and incapable of forming a cohesive and articulate thought.

Ranter

P.S.  Sarah Palin – if my anonymity here bothers you, shoot me an email and I’ll share them with you face to face.  ranter@uncesnoredrants.com.

In typical GM fashion, there is a spin and a feeling, and in this case more than most they don’t mesh.  The announcement is saying to me “GM is broke, and Buicks aren’t selling – Tiger or not.”  The PR machine is spinning out a mutual, amicable separation:

“Tiger is expecting a second child in his family and he’s looking for more time in his schedule,” said Peter Ternes, G.M.’s director of communications for sales, service and marketing. “At the same time, General Motors is looking to cut costs… we both agreed that we would part our ways.”

After ten years of Buick ads and the automaker’s logo on his golf bag, it’s definitely going to be a change for the average golf fan, but in the big scheme of things it’s obvious that someone else will pick up Tiger Woods and his bag will not remain promotion-free for long.

Now if GM, while they’re seeking a loan from taxpayers, would only stop running their “Get You the Loan You Want” advertising, then all would be well.  But, that might be hoping for a little too much.

Ranter

I’m not Keith Olbermann’s biggest fan.  Honestly, even today I feel like his passion is sometimes misdirected, but his comments supporting same-sex-marriage [ no on Proposition 8 ] are spot-on, and he deserves accoldades for his passion, professionalism and journalism.  Take a minute to hear his word and try to explain how you could possibly justify voting to change the constitution to segregate a portion of the population based on their sexual preferences.

Ranter

Bernanke Tries to Decide What Next

The stock market volatile – imagine my surprise – but a recently headlined article on Marketwatch.com reminds us that consumers think it’s going to get worse.  Of course consumers think it’s going to get worse – the media keeps telling us it is going to get worse.  Even good news is buffered by some footnote as to why this is an exception to the bad that’s yet to come.  And if the media tells enough people, and talks about it long enough, eventually the American public begins to believe.  After all, if it can work for presidential candidates like John McCain…

So is the economy bad?  Yes, it’s terrible.  This is the worst thing that could have happened to America at the worst time.  It’s caused market upheaval around the world and some analysts think that it would be worse right now if we knew what to look for.  Fortunately, or not, depending on your view, the Wall Street shenanigans are as difficult to unravel as they were successful in their profiteering during the good times.  But, the media is missing something very important – we, as people and as a country, will recover.  And if history serves as a measuring stick, we will recover relatively quickly.

The good news is everywhere, too.  Gas prices are falling.  Homes are selling.  Interest rates, for those people that can qualify to get them, are historically low and overall it’s a great time to invest in real estate. If you don’t listen to the media.  If you listen to media you may as well put your head in the sand and call it done.

The media is talking about doom and gloom in the credit markets, extensive foreclosures and saying that home prices have dropped to the point where Americans can no longer afford to sell.  But, depending on how you look at things, the numbers might tell a different story.

Average home prices (based on sales) have fallen in the past few years, but not necessarily because the average American is selling their home for less.  It’s all tied together – home prices are falling because there have been more foreclosures and the banks need to sell these homes.  They need to get the properties off their books and into the hands of a homeowner.  They don’t have pride of ownership.  They don’t have a bottom price.  They don’t have any reason to try and maintain the market.  They are a business with an asset that they want to turn into a liquid asset – it’s that simple.  Banks need cash – not a place to live.

Now, is this bad?  Yes, it’s terrible, but it’s also consistent with curves that we’ve seen in the past and home values will return.  Adjusted for inflation it’s still a significantly better investment (looking at today’s market position) then the same investment in something like the S&P 500, not to mention that for most Americans it’s a leveraged investment that returns dividend in the form of a tax savings and a place to live.  No other investment out there can touch real estate over a long period of time – so I say it’s a great time to buy, and I think the media needs to start looking at the real pictures.  Present the facts, not the glorified grief that you’ve been handing out.

Ranter

Ranter
ranter@uncensoredrants.com
http://www,uncensoredrants.com/

Postscript: At this point in time this is an unpaid position.  If this site starts generating revenue of any kind it will be shared equally based on contributions.

West Hollywood isn’t the most conservative area of the country and the mostly gay community isn’t usually full of people protesting the treatment of ultra-conservative, Republican Christians like Sarah Palin, but some neighbors recently went protesting to the home of Chad Michael Morisette, a professional window display designer, who has a life-size mannequin of Palin in front of his house.  No, they’re not upset that a representation of Palin has come into their neighborhood – they’re upset because Sarah Palin is hanging from a noose wrapped around her neck with McCain right above her.

“They told us we respect you as artists, we’re just concerned about the effect on the community,” Morrisette said. “I don’t resent them. I’m not angry at them. I respect their rights.” Morrisette, 28, said he talked by phone last night with West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Prang. He said Prang told them that he respected his first amendment rights but urged him to take down the display. “He said, “Think of the bigger picture,’” Morrisette said. “I told the mayor I will have it down by 8 a.m. Saturday. He said, ‘Thank you, the sooner the better.”

Happy Halloween, Sarah Palin.

Ranter

Without offending anyone, I’m kind of happy that Obama’s campaign declined to comment on this.  After reading Brian Waks being quoted as saying,

“Both individuals stated that they would dress in all white tuxedos and wear top hats during the assassination attempt,” Weaks said. “Both individuals further stated they knew they would and were willing to die during this attempt.”

I’m still sort of chuckling.  You don’t think this would have been a little odd in any place other than Arkansas?  I hear that they’re questioning Elmo for his role in this plot, too.  Does George W Bush have an alibi here?  Come on guys, you can do better than this, right?

Ranter

Bonus credit to those that get the reference to “yewts.”