I really didn't want to make this post, but...

Y'know, once upon a time I truly didn't care who won the American election. (And by "once upon a time," I mean a few months ago.) I was fairly mystified by the ENORMOUS issue it has been on my friendslist. I honestly couldn't figure out why people were getting so worked up about it; I suppose that, post-Bush, people only want the best person they can in office. Yet I thought perhaps we ought to be celebrating more Bush's removal, and the strong possibility of ANY Democratic candidate winning. C'mon guys,, I thought, What on earth happened to, "Anyone But Bush?" Who remembers that?

I would have been fine, at that point, with either Obama or Hillary. Hillary in particular, as I prayed for years that she would run when the time came. The Clintons back in office? Seemed like a good idea to me.

At this point though, everything I've heard and read about Hillary's campaign has left SUCH a bitter taste in my mouth that, were I American and Obama was not an option, I don't believe I could bring myself to vote AT ALL. Her campaign thus far has exposed her as entitled, hypocritical, viciously back-stabbing and a sore loser. I'm far from impressed. Her behaviour has been deplorable. I'm deeply, DEEPLY disappointed in her - in a woman who I thought had backbone, who was worth admiring.

The Wright issue is the absolute FINAL STRAW for me. Tell me - tell me! - what the HELL is wrong with what this man is saying?!

I wanted to stand up and CHEER when I watched this, and if you didn't too, then tell me WHY.

And this, what's terribly wrong with this? What's terribly wrong with condemning the systematic racism of the country you live in?

Others besides me have said it all better, so I'm just going to link:

First, a very long article by Tim Wise, but worth the read if you found Wright's comments, well, shocking:

So that's the truth of the matter: Wright made one comment that is highly arguable, but which has also been voiced by white America's favorite black man, another that was horribly misinterpreted and stripped of all context, and then another that was demonstrably accurate. And for this, he is pilloried and made into a virtual enemy of the state[...]

An Open Letter To Senator Clinton From A Diverse Group of Religious Leaders.

There are those among us who support Rev. Wright and believe his comments were deeply misconstrued. There are others among us who reject his words outright, even in context.

But across these lines, we stand together, White and Black, Protestant and Catholic, Christian and Jew.

No candidate should use religion as a tool to divide the American people, as you have done today.


And finally, the thing that inspired this post: a few words from the current pastor of Hillary Clinton's former church (BEST. THING. EVER.):

"The Reverend Jeremiah Wright is an outstanding church leader whom I have heard speak a number of times. He has served for decades as a profound voice for justice and inclusion in our society. He has been a vocal critic of the racism, sexism and homophobia which still tarnish the American dream. To evaluate his dynamic ministry on the basis of two or three sound bites does a grave injustice to Dr. Wright, the members of his congregation, and the African-American church which has been the spiritual refuge of a people that has suffered from discrimination, disadvantage, and violence. Dr. Wright, a member of an integrated denomination, has been an agent of racial reconciliation while proclaiming perceptions and truths uncomfortable for some white people to hear. Those of us who are white Americans would do well to listen carefully to Dr. Wright rather than to use a few of his quotes to polarize. This is a critical time in America's history as we seek to repent of our racism. No matter which candidates prevail, let us use this time to listen again to one another and not to distort one another's truth."

(bolds mine)


Have at it, then. If you agree Wright's sermons are vile, please explain.

(Also, why is "Obama" not in lj's spellcheck at this point? Don't they ever update this thing?)

PROTIP: "No offense," usually means you're being offensive!

And while I'm in a pissy mood, I want to add that I don't understand how you work with someone who has a repetitive strain injury FOR A YEAR, ask concerned questions like, "How are your wrists doing?" FOR A YEAR, get worried if you say your wrists are doing badly FOR A YEAR, and then AFTER A YEAR, suddenly come out one day with:

"You know, not to be mean, but I don't really believe there is such a thing as carpal tunnel."

EXCUSE ME? Why, I wonder, have I not heard this before? Is it because the wrist braces have been gone for a while? Is it "safer" now to air that stupidity?

This doubt belongs to Boss's Daughter, and she apparently finds the existence of RSIs doubtful because she worked in the same job at Subway for six years with no trouble, but a coworker of hers there developed symptoms after six months. Even after I pointed out that multiple factors go into the development of RSIs, and that some people are undoubtedly genetically predisposed, she's still repeating the same crap about how she doesn't get why someone could work in the same job for years and not get it, too.


What the hell. This is the SAME GIRL who wants people to believe that she suffers EXCRUCIATING on-and-off back pain - for which she's collected disability pay - from an injury sustained while lifting a five-pound box of cheese slices.

But this is somehow more "real" than injuries I've sustained from YEARS of computer use. Injuries that I have used to predict the weather - which I gave independent reports of to her, and which she confirmed via her back injury. (And no, for the record, I don't disbelieve that she's really got a back injury. But it boggles my mind that she could deny the reality of my injury with a backstory for hers like THAT. Five pounds of cheese, guys.)


What gives some people the bloody nerve?! Really now.