Month: August 2008

Just to keep things focused.

I find it interesting that whereas Obama picked a running mate who complemented the shortcomings in his slate–someone with a good deal of experience in foreign relations, for instance–McCain chose someone who will appeal to disenfranchised voting bases from both sides: to women who will see an opportunity to put a female a heartbeat from the presidency (and with a president of McCain’s years, that takes on a serious reality) after Hillary’s campaign ended in flames, and to the conservative base who will embrace a bottom half of the ticket who is apparently somewhere to the right of John Wayne.

The easy answer, of course, is that women won’t support her because she’s anti-abortion. Except there happen to be plenty of women who are likewise anti-abortion–yes, even Democrats–and therefore won’t find that a turnoff.

Frankly, I think Palin was a nervy choice that could reap serious benefits. And the timing of the announcement knocked all the post-convention attention away from Obama and onto McCain, which will now build as they roll into the GOP convention.

Personally, I find the notion of an anti-abortion, pro-drilling, pro-creationism, anti-animal protection vice president to be nothing short of terrifying. Then again, anyone that the extreme right embraces is by definition terrifying.

PAD

Observations follow below the cut:

Continue Reading “Obama’s Address” →

Obama will be giving his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination. I intend to be blogging live and commenting as it goes.

At this point, to be honest, I’m not loving Obama’s chances come November, for three reasons:

1) He’s black. A lot of people in this country don’t like blacks.

2) He’s intelligent. A lot of people in this country don’t like intelligence.

3) He’s not Hillary Clinton. A lot of people in this country are pìššëd øff about that.

That is, of course, as of this writing. A lot can happen on both sides. Gaffes. Missteps. Lies that take hold and become truth through repetition. Anything.

But as of this writing, to me…looks like President McCain. I hope I’m wrong.

PAD

Well, THAT was scary.

A roast was held last night for George Takei at the legendary Friars Club, and I was invited to be a part of it. It was one of the more daunting endeavors of my life. It’s one thing to stand up in front of a crowd of fans at a convention and play for laughs, as I have done at such gatherings as the Stan Lee roast at the Chicago Comicon. This is a venue where I’m trying to make laugh a roomful of professional comics and roasters who have no frickin’ clue who I am.

Judging by the number of people who came up to me and congratulated me on my outing, I did okay. Below the cut line are pictures of me with Roastmaster Alec Mapa, with fellow roaster Gilbert Gottfried, and with George. I think video will actually be available through the Friars Club website.

PAD

Continue Reading “The Friars Club” →

Caroline has the sniffles and a low fever, so rather than leave her with a sitter, Kathleen and I are switching off in paying respects to the Greenbergers and their tragic loss. Kath is going to the funeral today and I was at the viewing yesterday.

The outpouring of support was uplifting to see. People from the comic industry from Paul Levitz to Joe Quesada; the staff of Comicmix; assorted Star Trek writers; and, of course, people from all walks of Robbie’s life were there. Robbie had kept a collection of rubber ducks in his car; the collection was situated in a basket near the door and visitors were invited to take one as a remembrance. Ariel got the last one. She’s never been to a viewing, and she held up remarkably well.

I’m sure that Bob, Deb and Kate were gratified for this outpouring of support. And of course the greatest tragedy is, considering all the lives that Robbie had the opportunity to touch in his short span; how many more would he have affected given the chance?

PAD

UPDATED 3:27 PM FRIDAY:

Viewing and funeral arrangements are below the cut line.

For those of you who don’t know, or haven’t been following Bob Greenberger’s board, his son Robbie has been fighting leukemia for the past year.

Bob called me around 9:30 last night to tell me that, an hour earlier, his son lost that fight. I’ve waited until Bob posted about Robbie’s passing (which he has done on Robbie’s facebook page) to post about it now.

Ariel, who has known Robbie all of her sixteen years, is devastated, as are we all…but it’s always the worst the first time you lose a peer. She wrote the following poem:

ROBBIE

So much to say
So much to do
Man, you had this fire in you.
Dance a song,
You jammed along
Losing you is just so wrong.
You made us laugh
You made us cry
I don’t want to say good-bye.

I’m sure Bob will post viewing and funeral information as it becomes available.

Do yourselves a favor today. Whatever you’re up to, at some point, just stop and take a few deep breaths of air and be appreciative of the fact that you’re still alive, and that you have tomorrows to look forward to.

Continue Reading “Robbie Greenberger” →

So the Georgia women’s beach volleyball team beat the Russian women’s beach volleyball team. And all i could think was, wouldn’t it have been interesting if the leaders of the respective countries (whose names I’m too lazy to spell) had staked the resolution of their disputes on the outcome.

In fact, even better: rather than rolling in tanks and blowing up terrified citizens, have the Russian and Georgia presidents square off in the wrestling ring. Settle this BS like men.

PAD