He's not getting my vote.....

While I was doing some browsing of our so called "economic meltdown", I came across this quote on CNN by John McCain. “The first thing I would do is say, ’Let’s not call it a bailout. Let’s call it a rescue,” McCain told CNN. The Arizona Republican said that “Americans are frightened right now” and it is the job of political leaders to give them both an immediate solution and a longer-term approach to the problem.

Oh yeah, nothing like using euphemistic language as your first solution to this problem! This just straight pisses me off! The American people have clearly ruffled a few feathers in Congress for this bill not to pass, they're not "frightened", they're pissed off!! To me this shows just how out of touch ole grandpa is with the people. I know, I know, this is probably considered a little bit of "gotcha journalism" but sometimes I just cant help myself. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!

Photos from My Retreat at Conception Abbey

WHOS TAKING KIMBO?

26.2 - almost

Mendy and I went to St. Louis this weekend to run in the Lewis & Clark Marathon. Hurricane Ike decided to roll through town as well. The downpour put a serious kink in my pre-race plans and almost caused us to not even start - little things like the parking lot being under two feet of water and runners having to push their flooded cars out in the dark before the race even began. Eventually we found some high ground to park on and decided to brave the elements.

Despite running through ankle deep water, pounding rain, and gusts of wind that hard enough to knock over some of the course porta-johns, I was pacing pretty good. I really didn't know how fast or far I had gone at any point because the course markers had mostly been destroyed or blown away, and I didn't wear my Garmin watch for fear of ruining it, so I was mildly disoriented for most of the event, but feeling good running-wise.

As it turns out, the last half of the course was under water and the race directors had to move the finish line up to the 10 mile marker and started shuttling everyone back to the start and parking area from there. 80% of the runners were only signed up to do the 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) so getting to 10 miles wasn't all that bad given the conditions. I, however, was running good, wanted to get my miles in, and was disappointed that the race had been shut down. So instead of boarding the buses with the rest of the masses, I turned around and did the 10 miles again in reverse. So, only 20 miles today instead of the full marathon, but a good war story none-the-less.

Next month - 50K Trail Run in the Ozarks put on by Bass Pro Shops and North Face...here's hoping for better weather.

Darth?

What is it?

After Republican V.P. candidate Sarah Palin's acceptance speech Wednesday night, my office was a buzz with comments extolling her attractiveness. Then it seemed necessary for us to breakdown just what it is about her that attracts. My boss sent me the following from a political forum he frequents. I thought it hit the nail on the head:

"James" tries to define what we were wrestling with earlier:

Great speech, great delivery, great presence.

As far as I can see, she did what she needed to do. She defied
expectations, she got some powerful and effective hits in on Obama.
She got some good hits in on behalf of McCain, and also on her own
behalf.

She spoke clearly and calmly in a voice that is soothing and
reassuring and confident, without a touch of the grating bitchiness
evident in the voice of someone like Hillary Clinton. Far from some
air-headed, untested, unprepared beauty queen persona that the media
wanted to assume her to be, she spoke in a way that seemed neither
afraid nor arrogant.

As to her babe reputation, I’ll say that it goes much further than
that. It’s not just that she’s beautiful with her large, sparkling
eyes, gorgeous smile, perfect skin, and lustrous hair. It goes much,
much deeper. It’s the personality behind the looks, and how that
personality manifests itself in her features and bring them alive that
makes her a very powerful force.

Sarah Palin is an extraordinary communicator on the non-verbal level.
She radiates calm and poise and inspiration, all at the same time.
Frequently people of power or high social status exhibit what are
called "cathathetic signals"; things that indicate their awareness of
their importance, signals that are also designed to make the listener
aware that the listener is of less importance. Their ego manifests
itself in postures, expression, and tone meant to reduce the ego of
others. Think of the pompous arrogance of Joe Biden. Or even Hillary
Clinton. They think they are better than you, and they can’t help but
communicate it.

Sarah Palin communicates confidence and ease with power, without
exhibiting any of these signals whatsoever. NONE. What’s interesting
is that Obama tries extremely hard to accomplish this same goal, it’s
part of what makes him an uplifting and inspiring figure. But with
Obama it is not genuine; it’s very carefully managed and controlled
and there are times when he loses his grip on it and a less flattering
side of himself is revealed.

Personally, I don’t care much for McCain. And the campaign is still
very young. But if tonight was any indication I expect some amazing
things from Sarah Palin.