Disjointed Political Ramblings During this election season's final bolt to the finish line, I've been pondering my neck of the woods and how voters react here. Of course, I have staff members with "Vote Yes on The Marriage Amendment" bumper stickers on their cars and that's their right although I'll be voting a resounding NO. I've been reading GOP-based blogs seeing their reaction to the many scandals that have plagued this administration over the past year and find that some are quite thoughtful in dissecting the subjects that mean something to me. I don't troll other people's blogs who disagree with me. I find it distasteful for me because I am of the opinion that everyone has the right to say what they want being that if I can have right to free speech, so do they. I do read those blogs though because I want to know what other people are discussing. I've been reading like-minded bloggers such as Sean Braisted, Joe Lance, Sharon Cobb, John H. and Cuppa who have expressed some of the outrage I feel at the political scene as a whole right now. Aunt B. posts most eloquently about many of the issues that I find near and dear. I've also been reading Kleinheider, who I sometimes think is thoughtful and other times has me scratching my head at his obsession with Harold Ford Jr. and his intolerance at certain issues, but once again, he has the right to say what he thinks as well. I just don't buy into all of it but I read it and that's what he wants in the long run, I would imagine. I believe he doesn't give a damn if we agree with him or not. I give him kudos for effectively linking to a variety of blogs as he is paid to do. I think it goes without saying, and this is my opinion as well, but in the local state races I'm speculating that there is some major things going on beneath the surface. With that in mind, I would like to know what exactly is lurking down there in the dark waters. I'm seeing more conservative Democrats in bigger races and the illusion of moderate Republicans. Of anybody that I really want to win, I'm all about Steve Cohen and I hope he kicks some major butt because we need the Steve Cohens of the world for some balance in Washington right now. I'd vote for him if I could. See, this is where it gets sort of blurry for me. If the Democrats move too far to the right, there is no balance in Washington or Nashville. I am seeing Harold Ford Jr. voting on issues that I would expect Bill Frist to vote for, but I don't want my candidate to vote for. This, of course, makes me scratch my head as well. I can't vote for Corker and I don't want to vote for Ford. In many ways, they are one in the same. You get my drift. Visiting the local Republican headquarters other day brought up another point that keeps floating away in my cranium. When are we going to stop talking about Bill Clinton and his sexual antics of nearly a decade ago and start concentrating on the fact that we are at war? Anytime any accountablity is asked from any national politician, and this swings toward the GOP right now because they are under fire, they bring up Clinton and his crotch. Stop it already. Why aren't we bringing up the things our country is facing today, the fear-mongering, the loss of industry, corporate greed and loss of civil liberties? So here, in my neck of the woods, I am probably a lone voice and my head is filled with too many things about the direction of my country. I did feel hope in the past in elections. Now, not so much. As Smiley over at The Dry Spot said on his blog earlier this week, and he's not even a political blogger, the lesser of two evils is still evil (and I quote because I can't link right now.) Yes indeed, Ceeeelcee, yes indeed.  ¶ 10/19/2006 06:15:00 AM