Politics » My Name Is Michael

Republican Presidential Debate – Now With Drinking Game!

Sep 222011

Ok, so I’ve gone through all the trouble to get the Live Blogging plugin working the way I wanted to on my site, so I guess I’m going to have to go through with my plans to live blog yet another GOP Presidential Debate

The things I do for you people, I swear.

So here’s the deal – For one, I’m likely to be broadcasting from a Google+ Hangout while I watch. You’re welcome to join me if you like by visiting my wall over there. If you’re following me on Twitter or Facebook you’ll get notifications whenever I update this post for as long as the API lets me do so before it breaks (I killed the Twitter to Facebook link about half way through the last debate). If you really want to stay up to the minute on the updates the best thing to do is monitor this page. There is a script running in the background that will automatically feed new posts to the parent.

Now, on to the fun part…

If you want to play along with my debate drinking game, the rules are pretty simple. I will announce it is time to drink whenever any of the following events happen:

Any candidate says “Obamacare”
Any candidate mentions Class Warfare
Any candidate uses the phrase “The American People”
Any candidate mentions Ronald Reagan
Any candidate mentions 9/11. Finish the whole drink if the candidate says we were attacked because “they” hate the American way of life.
Rick Santorum complains about his “Google Problem”
Ron Paul hungrily lips his lips while staring at another candidate.
Newt Gingrich says anything that makes him seem like he’s done anything at all relevant in the last 15 years.
Mitt Romney’s hair moves.
Gary Johnson…wait, holy crap! Gary Johnson is actually there? Dude, I like that guy! He was on Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me! He gets an honorary toast the first time he answers a question.
If any candidate compares Herman Cain to the Noid finish the whole bottle. Every time Herman Cain actually proves he has a sense of humor, drink.
If John Huntsman…I can’t think of anything funny about John Huntsman, which is probably a good thing…least as far as I’m concerned. Dunno how well that works for him. I wanna say to drink if he actually face palms over being forced to try and make sense next to the rest of the lunatics up on the stage.
Every time Michelle Bachman…Flying Spaghetti Monster, save me…Every time she’s on the screen stop me from slitting my wrists or throwing the bottle through my television.

If you guys have any suggestions for the drinking game let me know in the comments and I’ll modify accordingly.

11:10 PM

Biggest disappointment of the evening, for me, was Gary Johnson. Maybe he was just overly nervous, but the guy I saw up there was nothing like the cool, calm and confident dude I heard on Wait! Wait! Don’t Tell Me! I felt bad for him, really. He looked like he didn’t even belong up there (and when you’re next to crazy like Bachmann that’s hard to pull off). Ron Paul makes some good points, as always, but I think that as it currently stands I’d like to see either Huntsman or Cain take the nomination. That being said, it’s much more likely that monkeys will decide to launch themselves out of my ass than it would be for either of them to actually get the nomination. Perry and Romney were both being juvenile and petty and acting like a couple of college frat boys who both wanted to sleep with the same sorority sister. Bachmann was a non-entity, as she should be. Gingrich continues to campaign on what he did during the Clinton administration and brings nothing new to the table. Santorum…Seriously, screw that guy. Of them all, he’s the one that I really think is the biggest asshole. I’m not just talking about his politics (which suck). I’m talking about the fact that he’s rude, whiny, disrespectful, arrogant, and downright unpleasant. There’s nothing at all likeable about the man, and I wish he’d just go away.

Thanks to all who followed along! I’m off for the evening.

10:56 PM

And the talking heads all talk about how Romney was the winner. Clearly they watch these things through a different filter than I do.

10:53 PM

Huntsman won that question hands down.

10:50 PM

MATE Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich?? GAH

10:49 PM

I just shit myself over the thought of a Santorum/Gingrich ticket.

10:47 PM

Great question!

10:46 PM

Commercial break! Time to break out the Doritos!

10:45 PM

And Johnson mentions his balanced budget again.

10:40 PM

Oh, crap! The stream has died!

10:32 PM

Blah de blah de blah. I’m Governor Perry, and this is my pre-written attack on Mitt Romney that I’ve prepared in advance.

10:29 PM

“Give them more options to be able to have the options…of other options…” Dude…wait…What?

10:28 PM

“And I will always err on the side of life.” Except, you know, when you are signing death warrants. Right, Gov. Perry?

10:26 PM

Catastrophic health care policies are worthless to people with chronic illnesses, Huntsman. Fail answer.

10:22 PM

Ok, after this question we should all be completely faced.

10:21 PM

OBAMACARE WORD CLOUD! DRINK!

10:18 PM

Wow. The gay soldier just got booed and Santorum goes on record as saying that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will be back if he’s President.

10:12 PM

Ok…Gary Johnson is officially off my list. Oh, yeah. And new drinking game rule – When Johnson mentions his balanced budget, drink.

10:08 PM

So is it just me or does Santorum always look like he’s about to bust into tears?

10:06 PM

I’d give anything if Herman Cain said “The Rent is too damn high!”

10:04 PM

Reagan! Drink!

10:01 PM

The hell? What’s up with the FOX folks focusing on word clouds? Did they finally catch up to the internet of 4 years ago?

09:55 PM

“Sometimes we’re frustrated with all of you answering questions.” WIN.

09:53 PM

Oh, Damn. Perry sticks to his guns over educating illegal immigrants and he gets booed.

09:50 PM

Ok, this whole Mitt vs. Rick thing is getting tired. Is it cage match time yet?

09:48 PM

Outsource e-verify to companies who outsource all their tech support to India?

09:45 PM

What? Bell? What the hell was that about?

09:41 PM

Is it just me or is Rick Perry actually trying to look like Ronald Reagan?

09:39 PM

The customer is the student, Rick.

09:38 PM

Ugh. Gary. Ok. You’re going to submit a balanced budget in 2013. We get it.

09:37 PM

Class warfare!

09:36 PM

Reagan! Drink!

09:34 PM

Obamacare! Drink! Clearly Huntsman is ready for this party to start.

09:32 PM

Ronald Reagan! Drink!

09:32 PM

“I didn’t inhale?” Really? You’re calling back to Clinton now?

09:31 PM

Former President? Wow. What a dick move, Mitt. Oh, by the way, answer the question.

09:29 PM

Ooo…point to Perry on that one.

09:27 PM

Governor Perry – Governor Romney has been hammering you. #rule34

09:25 PM

OH GOD IT’S VOLDEMORT! HARRY! WHERE ARE YOUUUU?

09:24 PM

Ok, so far? This thing is kinda boring me. Also? Nothing to drink over yet.

09:19 PM

“You want to elaborate on that? You have some time.”

09:18 PM

Restore the 10th amendment? Is it gone?

09:16 PM

Wow. The crowd is really in favor of Cain’s 9-9-9 plan

09:13 PM

And we’re back! Did I miss anything?

09:10 PM

Arrgh! Power outage!

08:41 PM

Nope. Not going to make fun of the college students that are being interviewed pre-debate. They are young and they are nervous. GOD IT’S HARD NOT TO, THOUGH.

08:21 PM

Linkage for those of you who want to watch the debate online – http://bit.ly/nGW3Nm

08:20 PM

Ok, it’s confirmed. The debate will be streaming live on YouTube.

08:05 PM

Ok, I’ve got a backup plan. If the debate isn’t being broadcast live online the antenna in our bedroom is picking up the local FOX channel. This shit is ON, people.

07:57 PM

Making lentil loaf to go with my debate watching activities. It seemed appropriate.

07:40 PM

Well, I’ve hit the first snag in the live blogging deal. My antenna absolutely refuses to pick up the local FOX affiliate. Yeah, ok. So I guess I have a Progressive antenna or something. Hopefully the debate is being broadcast live on Fox.com. If not, this will be the worst live blog ever.

The Rainbow Hippie Argument

Life Stories, Philosophy, Politics 1 Response »

May 172011

Image courtesy of mendhak via flickr

Back in the Summer of 1992 I was working my one, and only, renaissance festival. What is amusing about this is that the show was not, in fact, the one I had grown up around. Despite being closely tied to the Bay Area Renaissance Festival for many years, the only gig I’ve ever actually been an official cast member at was Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie, Texas.

Like many folks who traveled and worked with the renaissance festival circuit, I set up a tent in the woods back behind the festival grounds to live in during the time I was employed at the show. The small section I “lived” in during that time was populated by myself, my friends Holly and Donnie, and a Rainbow Hippie.

I’m afraid of Americans

Personal Updates 1 Response »

Aug 312010

It is currently 7:30 AM on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010. I am on vacation, and will be until next Thursday. Krystalle, Rafe and I will be leaving very early Thursday morning to drive to Atlanta for Dragon*Con, but for now I am simply taking some time off and generally trying to relax.

I am…restless.

Gross Generalizations (Not A Lot Of Truth Here)

Politics 9 Responses »

Apr 272010

One of my former High School classmates recently posted a note on her Facebook page that was titled “A Lot Of Truth Here.” The post was a laundry lists of “truths” about Liberals vs. Conservatives, and it was clearly written by someone who sympathized with the Right side of that particular battle.

I didn’t respond in depth to that particular post. For one it was pretty clear that she agreed with it and nothing I could say was going to convince her otherwise. Two, she very clearly didn’t write it herself. Lastly, however, was due to the fact that the post ended with a “Oh ha-ha, this is just a joke and if it offends you clearly that means you’re a liberal and everything that is written here is true” kind of statement.

As I said to her there, it didn’t offend me. It was just wrong.

At the time I pretty much tried to leave it at that, but it has stuck with me since reading it so I’ve gone back and grabbed the post so that I can respond on my turf. My thoughts are behind the cut.

The letter I wrote to Representative C.W. Bill Young

Politics No Responses »

Mar 212010

Representative Young,

Unless I miss my guess, this email is likely to be screened through one of your aides and would not be likely to impact your decision to vote against the Health Care Reform bill that should be introduced in the House today. This makes me sad, but unlike Don Quixote I have no interest in tilting against windmills by trying to convince you to change your mind.

Freedom of religion and expression

Politics 2 Responses »

Sep 252009

There’s a guy who hangs out in Ybor City on the weekends that stands in the middle of crowded night clubs preaching about Jesus. At least, there used to be. I really haven’t been clubbing in a long time so I couldn’t say whether or not he’s still doing it, but to be honest I kind of hope he is. You see, I kind of admire this guy. I think he’s a little crazy, of course, and I know he’s made some friends of mine uncomfortable on more than one occasion, but really…you have to kind of give it up for a man who willingly puts himself into what is almost certainly going to be an uncomfortable situation because he believes that doing so will help him save someone’s immortal soul.

There’s another reason why I like this guy, though.

Yet another Health Insurance Reform factoid

Health and Fitness, Personal Updates 7 Responses »

Sep 212009

There are four of us on my insurance policy. It’s a good insurance policy, by all accounts. It’s certainly much better than not having insurance. Most of the time, anyway.

This whole H1N1 scare, though? If you’re following all of the CDC best practice guidelines if you think you’re exposed you should go immediately to a clinic and be tested and start on Tamiflu.

The Urgent Care clinic co-pay on our plan is $50.

A few brief notes on health care

Health and Fitness 2 Responses »

Aug 022009

My son suffers from diabetes. A little over a year ago he went into a state known as diabetic ketoacidosis. He almost went into a coma and if we had not gotten him to a hospital there is a good chance he could have died. When he got out of the hospital he was told to follow up with his specialist, so I called to make an appointment. The earliest I could take my son in to see his specialist was four months later.

I have been using Prevacid for years to control my acid reflux. A condition that, if let unchecked, can lead to Barret’s esophagus and, subsequently, cancer. This is the condition that killed my Father. When my insurance providers switched at the beginning of the year I was told that my medical provider would no longer cover Prevacid, the medication my doctor wanted me to be on, and that I had to switch to Aciphex.

I have also been using Metrogel for years to control my Rosacea. Recently my insurance provider decided they would no longer pay for that medication either and I had to switch to another one.

There is no generic equivalent available for the type of insulin my son has to take for his diabetes and my insurance provider considers it non-formulary. That ONE medication of his is $60 per month. This does not include his other insulin, his needles, or his test strips. There IS a generic equivalent of his second type of insulin, but it does not work as well and we will be switching back to the non-forumlary kind after his next appointment with his endocrinologist.

Alex had a problem throwing baseballs and was diagnosed with a condition called little league shoulder. My insurance company would only pay for about half of the visits that his physical therapist suggested. After we had run out of therapy his condition still persisted and he still cannot properly throw a baseball without causing himself some pain. At this point we’re holding on to hope that he will grow out of it.

Should I go on?

All of you people who think this shit only happens in countries where they have “socialized medicine” are fooling yourselves. Insurance companies get in the way of you and your doctor all the time. They deny treatments. They deny medications. They tell you what doctors you can and cannot see, even if said doctors have huge waiting lists.

Is socialized medicine better? Damned if I know. What I DO know is that all this bullshit being spouted about how there is nobody between you and your doctor right now is a bunch of lies.

Health Care Solution?

Unsorted No Responses »

Mar 132008

Disclaimer – I am not in the health care industry. I am not an economist. I have done no number-crunching on the realistic likelihood that what I am about to propose would work or not. This is simply a thought I’ve had in regards to the “health care crisis” in the United States.

Why can’t the government act as one giant company, representing the citizens of the United States, and use their resources to negotiate health care deals with major insurance companies? Well, actually…I know they can, and that they do. Medicare? Medicaid? That’s basically what they are doing there. When someone is on one of these programs they actually have health insurance through a private insurer. Thing is, the government pays for that. What if they just gave us the ability to purchase those health care plans on our own dime, and gave our employers the option of paying those costs (or a part of them) for us instead of negotiating their own deals with the big insurance companies?

These plans should in no way be mandatory, with the following exception – If you don’t have insurance and you go to a hospital, you have the option of signing up for a plan on the spot. If you choose not to do so, whatever unpaid costs you have for your hospital stay are deducted from your taxes at the end of the year.

The way I see it – Lots of money ends up going into the private sector (insurance companies), creating jobs and strengthening our economy. A larger percentage of the population has access to health care, allowing them to get treated for illnesses instead of letting them worsen to the point that they have to be hospitalized. When people DO end up in the hospital, a larger percentage of them are covered by insurance so the Hospital actually ends up getting paid for the services they render. Hospitals end up having more money and are able to afford better levels of care, and taxpayers aren’t called upon to cover those unpaid medical costs as often. An overall healthier population increases productivity across the board as people with lower paying jobs (the folks who may be at the bottom of the class system but frequently end up doing the jobs that keep the rest of us going) don’t get sick as often and miss work. Due to the fact that the insurance companies would be potentially negotiating for millions of new customers their rates would be fiercely competitive and would fall across the board, allowing private companies to offer even better health insurance benefits or pay them completely for their employees.

I want to be clear – I’m not talking about a subsidized program here. I’m not talking about the government paying for these programs at all. They could simply act as mediators between us and the insurance companies and handle the administrative end for us. Hell, they could even roll the yearly benefits selection process into our tax returns.

Like I said – a completely uneducated thought, but a thought I had nonetheless.

Edit – Another thought I just had. This kind of system would allow individuals to stay on the same health care plan regardless of where they ended up working, so they had no lapse in benefits and no risk of being refused care by an insurance company due to pre-existing conditions.

Something is rotten in the state of Florida…

Unsorted No Responses »

Mar 062008

So.

The GOP in the state of Florida decide to move their primaries up ahead of just about everyone else. The Republican party responds by cutting the number of delegates that will be seated in Florida in half. The Democrats tell Florida that if they have their primaries on that day NONE of their delegates will be seated, and they suggest that Democrats caucus at a later date instead. Democrats choose to go ahead with the vote knowing full well that their delegates will not be seated. Hillary wins, but gains no delegates.

Fast forward to now.

Yesterday our Governor, Charlie Christ, started making noise about Florida voters being disenfranchised and insisting that their votes be counted. Chain gang Charlie (who, in the spirit of honest discourse I must say I generally have no real issue with) supported John McCain for President. On Tuesday John McCain clinched the Republican nomination so it doesn’t matter if he gets his full complement of delegates in Florida. It COULD matter, however, on the Democrat side. Florida is an all or nothing state, and Hillary won. With as close as the Democratic primary looks like it is going to be, the Florida votes could very well swing things in her favor.

Many on the conservative right are urging their herds to support Hillary Clinton. People like Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh have even talked about raising money for her. Why? Because they don’t think she has a chance in hell of beating McCain, but they think Obama does. Many Conservatives have said that they would not vote in the general election if McCain was the nominee UNLESS it was an anti-Hillary vote. They hate McCain, but they hate her more.

So…am I the only one who finds it a bit fishy that we’re only seeing Charlie pipe up about this issue NOW?

Don’t get me wrong – I hate the fact that Florida has become a laughingstock for the whole “Republican Voting Conspiracy” thing, but you gotta admit this one at least looks funny on the surface.

Older Entries Newer Entries

Republican Presidential Debate – Now With Drinking Game!

The Rainbow Hippie Argument

I’m afraid of Americans

Gross Generalizations (Not A Lot Of Truth Here)

The letter I wrote to Representative C.W. Bill Young

Freedom of religion and expression

Yet another Health Insurance Reform factoid

A few brief notes on health care

Health Care Solution?

Something is rotten in the state of Florida…

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