Over the past year the number of visitors to my blog has been trending very high (40,088 visits in the month of August alone!) , and I want to thank everyone--BFFs, friends, long time readers, RSS subscribers, coworkers, recent regulars, commentors, strangers, roommates, and especially your mom (Hah!)--for your patronage, proselytizing (Word to Jeff!), tips and links, and feedback. I'd keep doing this even if I only received one visit a day, because I've always enjoyed blogging. And because sharing is caring, right? Lately, many of you may have noticed a surge of items related to politics with a decidedly partisan tone. You are wondering, "What the hell, MRod? Where're the links and stories about Lindsay Lohan's budunkadunk, phenomenons dumping across the nation and Internets, Hot Girl, and the most memorable night in MRod's drinking career, and large tumor man? What's with all this election blah blah crap?" Well, to answer that, do not fear, the meat and potatoes aren't going to be taken off the menu any time soon or ever. And it is these sort of stories that transcend politics and other divisive topics, at least temporarily right?
I know that for your political news and commentary, most of you (as well as you should!) go to more legitimate, articulate, and better researched sources. However for the next few months I will be continue to post news, photos, opinion pieces, and diatribes pertaining to lies, hypocrisies, exaggerations, and interference coming from the McCain/Palin camp.
This is fair warning for my conservative, republican, and/or apolitical readers.
As for my particular attitude towards and fierce condemnation of Sarah Palin, the "pit bull" that lacks teeth in this historic and important election, it can be explained: Palin hits a raw and personal nerve here at MRod, because she has now become the face of Alaska, the state that raised me. I knew that I was from a unique locale, a state whose political, economic, and demographic characteristics were peculiar even by our nation's colorful patchwork quilt of states. It works for the state but it's not one that translates necessarily into dealing with or even understanding the current complex domestic and international issues facing America, such as Russia's aggressive posturing in Ossetia and Abkhazia and against NATO and the EU, or the massive crisis facing the US government-guaranteed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I would even go so far as to question whether Palin was aware last week of the latter looming disaster.
There are good people up there in the Last Frontier, and many of them, democrats, republicans, libertarians (duh), and everyone in between essentially want their annual permanent fund dividend and to be left alone. That's kind of why a lot of them move there, stay there, or return there. Something about the oh, I don't know, the geographic location maybe?, self-selects that trait. And the Sarah Palin that was on stage at the RNC is not what Alaska and Alaskans are all about. Alaska is family to me, and when on occasion a family member does something egregious that disparages other family members, then the toughest and loudest critic has to be from within. I disagree with many of McCain's policies, positions, et cetera, but he isn't family, unlike Palin. And family is about emotion. Palin is disparaging the good family of Alaska and I'm not going to stand for it.
And neither should other Alaskans. I know we all get a thrill out of one of our own making the national news, but fellow Alaskans, mark my words: With Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens' indictment and R-VP hopeful Sarah Palin, You shouldn't rely too heavily on future federal earmarks, but instead expect tougher fights in Congress, and a lot more scrutiny from the national media on the political and economic shenanigans that we've all sort of winked our eyes at. However this election goes down, the result is not going to be pretty for Alaska. The chickens are finally coming home to roost and Palin left the door wide open.