Category Archives: 2020 Election

Inauguration day 2021: A breath of fresh air

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Flags in honor of those lost to covid during the inauguration of president Joe Biden. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Source: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Finally, change has arrived.

I woke up this morning just in time to see the headline that Trump has left the Whitehouse. His term as president is finally over. I could relax just a little as his plane took off.

I dunno about anyone else, but I let out an exasperated exhale. Good riddance. Soon he’ll be held accountable in DC, but that can wait. Today we can breathe again.

I could breathe again after 4 years of bracing myself every day from Trump’s bullshit.

Not going to miss this feeling

Relief

I can relax and breathe easy as Kamala Harris is sworn in as VP. There was no time to celebrate after the election as Trump there a fit every step along the way as the biggest sore loser in American history. No more.

We’ve made it. It’s safe. Kamala Harris, is Vice president of the United States of America. The first woman, the first black woman, and first Asian woman to be VP in history. She’s got the experience and skills to get the job done. I had to remind myself today that she is all these firsts, and this was really happening. I’m still in PTSD shock because of the president-eject.

I can breathe easy now that Joe Biden is President of the United States of America. He’s been here before as VP, and many years as a Senator.

The election didn’t feel real until all the mail in ballots were counted.

It didn’t feel real after all the recounts in swing states and certification of the votes by electors.

It didn’t feel real because Trump never acknowledged reality.

It didn’t feel real when his supporters threatened violence.

It didn’t feel real when they went and raided the capitol during the count of electoral votes by the senate.

It didn’t feel real or safe as the inauguration was locked down and had a heavy police and military presence in case of violence.

After these past 4 years, it felt like anything bad could happen.

It only felt real, and final, today when both Biden and Harris were sworn in. It was actually nice not to have Trump there at the inauguration. It would have been like a bad ex showing up to a wedding. Thank goodness for this new day, this new administration.

Biden signs three documents after his inauguration ceremony: his inauguration day proclamation, his nominations for the Cabinet, and his nominations for sub-Cabinet positions.Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/AP
Biden signs three documents after his inauguration ceremony: his inauguration day proclamation, his nominations for the Cabinet, and his nominations for sub-Cabinet positions.Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool/AP Source

Despite this mask, I can breathe

It’s not going to be easy. America is in its deepest hole yet. The threat of racial injustice is burning hot. Climate change rages. The pandemic takes our breathe away… Literal and figurative as feelings override fact. Never have we been so divided. No it will not forgive or forget those that attacked our nation, and egged on by the president-eject. Justice is on the way. Equality has taken steps forward after being kneecapped by white privilege. By enemies domestic. Terrorists. For now, we can breathe. We can put down the news and live our lives instead of worrying about the news. So much needs to be done, and its on the way. Change is here.

If there is two things I have learned the past year, it’s one day at a time, and celebrate the little things.

Biden, Harris and their spouses leave the US Capitol after the inauguration ceremony.Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Biden, Harris and their spouses leave the US Capitol after the inauguration ceremony.Sarah Silbiger for CNN Source

For now, we can breathe. For now we can rest from this awful hangover caused by the last 4 years.

I’m pretty pessimistic that republicans will actually work with Biden. Not with how they acted after Obama was elected and they abandoned him right away. Not after all their awful enabling behavior the past 4 years with the President-Eject. Guess we will see what happens next. For now, I am completely exhausted from the last administration, and haven’t had time to heal until the President-Eject’s twitter account was banned.

Starting tomorrow, I’m taking a break from the news. I also need to take a break from being on the pc and phone. I’ve been on both far too much since October and I am worried that I am addicted to them again. I was planning on taking this break after the election, but since it dragged out, I didn’t feel safe not to be up to date to stop. I finally feel like I can without the threat of Trump causing destruction.

Thank you for reading this, if you enjoyed it, please give it a like, tell me what you think in the comments, and share on Facebook. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list for updates! 

Please wear a mask outside that covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, clean your cell phone, and keep your physical distance (6 feet) from others to fight Covid-19! 

© Reilly Anderson. 2020. All rights reserved.

2021 Insurrection.

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Yeah... it definitely captures both sides. The moment I saw the flag I knew i had to snap a photo of it. -- InhaleMC, Reddit user. The American flag, divided apart, blowing in the wind.
Shared with permission. Credit: https://instagram.com/doseofjean . From Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/ksg27a/i_took_this_photo_four_months_ago_i_think_now_is/

01/06/2021: Sedition Wednesday.

On a date that should’ve ended in joy as Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won the senate election in Georgia. It feels like a miracle… The state of Georgia turned blue after decades of being a deep red Republican state.

But that was ruined when the Trump protesters turned into a riot. The election results certification for POTUS Joe Biden was interrupted by a domestic terror attack. An attempted Coup trying to keep Trump as president.

It didn’t matter that Vice president Pence was there. Doing his job as Vice president presiding over the election certification as electoral college votes were tallied. It didn’t matter that fellow republican party supporters were there. Trump and his supporters would do anything to stay in power. Even if it would mean treason.

It feels fucking strange to mention or give credit to Mike Pence of all people after these hellish four years of Trump. After all the illegal criminal shit Trump has done, Pence supported him every step in the way. I still don’t like him, and hate his politics, but props for following the constitution. He believes in this democracy and this country. It feels weird to feel patriotic for my country as a liberal. I’m absolutely horrified at the violence, livid that this terrorist attack happened with little resistance by police. A protest follows the laws. It’s not a protest when you force your way into a closed building. It’s not a protest when you go in with weapons and tactical armor. When you carry in the flags of enemies of America, it’s not a protest.

Helpful reminders to keep in mind:

A post from reddit, adapted from Arrested Development that sums up the insurrection:

“Bro….

Getting caught up in a moment is making an off-color joke in front of your boss at a Christmas party…

Getting caught up in a moment is laughing at a fart noise without realizing that your wife is on speaker phone with her parents.

Getting caught up in a moment is forgetting to say thank you for a gift because you were distracted by how hideous the sweater is.

Getting caught up in a moment is being caught staring at someone attractive for a second when your gf/bf notices.

“Caught up in a moment” is for minor faux paus and small infractions of behavior and decorum.

Wearing tactical gear, helmets, gas masks, taping cellphones to your chest… planning for months to attend an “overturn the election (Democracy)” rally… buying airplane tickets, renting a car, getting a hotel room, meeting up with your co-conspirators, marching en masse to the capitol building, climbing over and through barricades, smashing windows, doors, fences, battering, crushing, and murdering police as they scream for help that never came, shoving past them screaming for blood and chanting horrific slogans, calling the few black cops you see the ‘n’ word over and over, while you wave the confederate flag, rummaging through files, stealing laptops, taking peoples files and decorations, climbing into the senate or house chamber, overturning tables and chairs, leaving heaps of garbage…

That is sedition. That is insurrection. That is not ‘caught up in a moment’

Your whole life listening to Trump and his enablers is based on lies, and hate. That is why it resulted in the very thing you say you believe in being tarnished, damaged, and very nearly broken. (Freedom).

You need to re-examine how your beliefs led you to invade our nations capital like a Vandal or Gothic Tribe, with others of your ilk who came for literal blood, and why you are now part of a dangerous and growing insurgency, that is cancer to our country, and very well may lead to many more people dying. Stop listening to white rage radio, stop allowing people who hate your guts and could care less if you live or die to pull your strings like an automaton.

You weren’t caught up in a moment. You were/are in a cult, where the leader doesn’t care how many people get hurt as long as he is still loved. You were “caught up being what you are”, a riotous dangerous criminal in the midst of an attempt to end democracy, and usher in mob rule.” Source

Or said in my favorite Dave Chappelle bit, Chivalry is dead, and…

Thank you for reading this, if you enjoyed it, please give it a like, tell me what you think in the comments, and share on Facebook. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list for updates! 

Please wear a mask outside that covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, clean your cell phone, and keep your physical distance (6 feet) from others to fight Covid-19! 

© Reilly Anderson. 2020. All rights reserved.

Blog Post Marathon, 12/01/20

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To be honest, I have no plan for achieving this writing goal of 1 post a day for the month of December. I’ve been thinking about goals, and decided to just go for it and do it. Last month I wanted to do Nanowrimo, but I didn’t do it because I was distracted by the arduous 2020 election here in the US.

I’ve been a Biden Supporter, so it was fantastic to see him win. I’ve been horrified this year as Trump made the corona virus pandemic into a political issue rather than a human issue. Then Trump challenging all the swing states in court drew the election out further. I don’t have a problem with him wanting recounts to verify results. Acting like a buffoon wasn’t necessary. 50 days to go until he is out of office for good. After that, it will be another few months until the new politicians in DC come up with an plan to tackle Covid-19. So, I’m preparing myself for another 6-8 months of lock down life. I hate lock down life. And I feel like an idiot because I’ve been wearing a mask, avoiding people and groups by distancing, and staying at home since March… All while half this country doesn’t because they don’t care about other people. Because of that this disaster will drag on into 2021. It’s not like wearing a mask over your mouth and nose is difficult, or standing 6 feet away from people, or avoiding crowds. The covid pandemic has permanently changed my mind about America. My feeling is that now it will require harsh laws to get people to follow. I really wish Joe Biden would say: “Shut the fuck up, put on a mask, distance from people, and grow up. Nobody gets their way 100% of the time.” It’s bullshit that these people get access to vaccines. It’s rewarding bad behavior. Instead of a stimulus check, these people should be sent a bill to pay for the hospital costs of the dead. I’m tired of being bitter.

Yeah, Yeah, I’m tired of beating the dead horse about this too…

274,743 Americans are currently dead. With more going to die into next year from Covid-19. 9/11 happened when I was a teenager, and during that time, those same people were saying we needed to unify as a country to prevent another 9/11 from happening. That it could happen every day. Well, here we are. In the past 3 days alone, more people have died from covid than during 9/11. 2996 people died then, 3281 people in the past 3 days in the US from covid. Source. Though the war in Afghanistan goes on, it doesn’t have to. Humanity has no idea what the long term effects of Covid-19 exposure are. I forgot where I was going with this, so in summary, I am ashamed to be an American. I’m embarrassed at other American adults right now in the pandemic. No I won’t forget how you acted this year. Not following the safety guidelines is a moral issue. To not follow them, or scoff at this simple request is a demonstration of your poor values. I feel like Rowdy Roddy Piper in the following scene from the movie They Live (If you haven’t seen it before, I recommend you watch it today! I don’t want to give away too much, but it is a Sci-fi masterpiece):

Shut the fuck up and put on your mask properly outside. Stand 6 feet from others. I’m done being polite.

Maybe I should start bringing a 6 foot pole around.

This interview of President Obama really hits the nail on how I feel right now. Exhausted. Boy it’s nice to watch a president and feel at ease.

Despite how maddening right now is, I am doing all I can, which is the only thing I can control. I’ve felt like a hermit this year, spending the year working on my problems and myself because I can’t do anything else. While I have spent the other part of the year online, browsing Reddit, watching anime, tv, and movies, I’m tired of it. As a recovering agoraphobic, I didn’t think that I would miss being around people. I certainly didn’t expect that I would be comfortable talking to women or being comfortable to date. I think I’ve struggled the most this year with if I have made progress or grown as a person. Internal validation only goes so far when your struggles are around socializing with people. I think the only reason I’ve stayed somewhat sane this year is by focusing on goals.

Yeah that. The #1 goal this year.

Current goals:

  • Goal: Within 6 months buy a somewhat new car with great MPG.
  • Goal: Within a year move out from my Mom’s house on my own.
  • Goal: Within 3 months get a job that pays enough for me to be independent. Might take longer, that’s okay.
  • Goal: Within 1 month go on one date, in person, distanced, wearing a mask.
  • Goal: Write 30 posts in 30 days of December 2020. Can be any kind of writing.
  • Goal: Don’t go on Reddit or Facebook for 30 days in a row. I need a break. Limit my time around time sink websites that don’t help better myself.
  • Goal: find a long term career.
  • Goal: Be the change you want in the world, and yourself.
  • Goal: hang out with friends.
  • Goal: Get a Girlfriend by becoming someone women want to date.

Songs of the post:

Tired of being alone by Al Green
Living in America by James Brown
No scrubs by TLC

Thank you for reading this, if you enjoyed it, please give it a like, tell me what you think in the comments, and share on Facebook. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list for updates!

Please wear a mask outside that covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, clean your cell phone, and keep your physical distance (6 feet) from others to fight Covid-19!

© Reilly Anderson. 2020. All rights reserved.

A day at work in Pandemic Seattle

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Part way through packing the ginger sodas.

I’m feeling refreshed after that short break from blogging!

I was recently hired at a local small business called Clēēn Craft. It’s a small business in a restaurant building in downtown Seattle. The job is typical physical labor warehouse work, most my day is spent moving pallets of soda around, packing sodas into cardboard trays like the picture above, or into 4 pack boxes to be sold at stores. Not many places have our product yet since the business is new, but hopefully business will pick up for the Christmas season. My boss has made some deals, but nobody knows what will happen. Add in the pandemic world, and a looming recession/depression and as the Cliche for this year goes… It’s an uncertain world. (Not that the “regular”, non pandemic life isn’t uncertain). For now this is a part time seasonal job with potential for more. I like my job, and my coworkers, and am grateful to work here.

If you would like to help the company I work for, and help to keep my job past December, you can order from our website here: https://cleencraft.com/

Photo from the company instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/cleencraft/

It’s nice to work again, as I haven’t worked a this many hours in a week since January. It’s been rough looking for suitable work as I’ve looked since June this year.

I expected packaging sodas would be like this scene from I love Lucy:

The difference between this scene and at work is that the canning machine is incredibly loud. The machine is so loud that I have to wear earplugs, or listen to music/audio-books. This is a pretty nice perk of the job. I’ve finished a couple audio-books while working. Between the shifts in October and November, I’ve listened to 87 hours of books. Noice!

In reality it’s more like the below gif:

The actual speed is more like this.

When all the machinery is going smoothly like yesterday, it goes like this:

If the speed is too fast, or i fall behind for a few seconds while stacking the 24 packs of cans onto the pallet, it looks like this:

This hasn’t happened yet, but if say the pressure builds up, worst case scenario this can happen… The last can can cause an avalanche and the soda machine techs have to stop the line:

I haven’t worked in downtown Seattle in a few years, so going to work again during the Pandemic was a double adjustment.

* The following political opinion is my own.*

Seattle pandemic rant:

One is seeing all the homeless living in tents everywhere. It’s an absolute shame that homelessness is still a problem in this city. There are multiple billionaires and trillion dollar companies in the greater Seattle area. And our solution is to round them up and push them away because everyone is too selfish to change our taxes to a fair income tax system from our outdated Sales tax. We as a state could solve this problem tomorrow by having more politicians like Bernie Sanders, but no… Bezos wants to build rockets for space… Which I assume he plans on leaving Earth behind to not pay taxes and colonize mars for Amazon.

Two, it’s tragic to see so few homeless people not wear masks, and act like the pandemic isn’t happening. I mean I get it, as there is no hope from the Federal or local governments that their situation will change pandemic or not. When I see people not wearing masks, it’s like seeing potential covid-19 ghosts.

Third, its infuriating that so many non homeless people are not wearing masks or doing the chinstrap bullshit. I’d say that 80% of people have been wearing masks properly. Probably 70% of those people are giving the 6 feet of distance on the sidewalks. Less so on the lightrail. I’m concerned I might be gambling with getting covid by riding it. Parking in Seattle isn’t possible anymore in downtown Seattle. It simply isn’t there anymore. While a good thing due to the investment in public transportation, its a risk taking it during a pandemic. According to my county public health statistics, the odds of catching covid are 1498 per 100,000 residents. Riding any public transportation is risk for riders health. I can’t afford to take an uber both ways to and from work. So it’s public transportation, or walk about 7 miles. On the plus side, I can get a good workout from this exercise!

Walking home every day is a reminder how fucked up the U.S, and the city government is. And thanks to the asshole republicans in the Senate, and Trump, no help is on the way. Way to hold our politicians accountable in the Senate, America. Having Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and VP will help, but the reality is that many more Americans are going to die from coronavirus due to our own selfishness. As a human being with empathy, and a Liberal that has tried to convince right wing people otherwise, this current election is a reminder that all I can do now is watch people die from Covid. That is the message this election sent.

If you voted for Trump this last time, fuck you. I am willing to forgive those that voted for him in 2016, but changed their mind after seeing Trumps selfish and hateful behavior. To vote again for him says that the things he said and done are acceptable morals to have. That those are the values you as the person who voted him have. So, fuck you. You don’t deserve the Covid vaccine. You don’t deserve this democracy, the right to vote, or the benefits of science. Trump made the corona virus a political issue by ignoring expert advice over and over again this year. By voting for him, you said that is acceptable behavior for an adult and a leader of this country. You are saying that it’s okay for people to suffer from illness and possibly die because of your political beliefs. You could have voted third party, or not at all. Instead you chose Trump. I will never forgive you. I don’t give a fuck if you stop reading this blog or unfriend me because of this. I’m not losing anything from my life anyway. Thank you for showing me who you really are behind closed doors.

Maybe… Maybe I would reconsider in the future with a genuine apology, that saying that Covid-19 was not fake, that science is real, and that you have a problem with Fox News. Maybe I’m still in denial that America really is a piece of shit.

Mask up.

January 20, 2021 can’t come soon enough… 66 days to go.

Music of the post:

Thank you for reading this, if you enjoyed it, please give it a like, tell me what you think in the comments, and share on Facebook. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list for updates!

Please wear a mask outside that covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, clean your cell phone, and keep your physical distance from others to fight Covid-19!

© Reilly Anderson. 2020. All rights reserved.

One vote in seattle part 5: Election day finale

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One vote in seattle part 5. Wa State primary election, 2020.
Source
American flag with cherry blossoms.
Photo by Aaron Schwartz on Pexels.com

This is the last post in this series: Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4.

The time to change the world is here. It is currently 1:19pm PST and I have less than 6 hours to finish this piece in time for the 8pm PST deadline. I haven’t voted myself as I write this. Time to pull out the evolving Spotify playlist I use to pump me up! Time to work…:

One vote in Seattle part 5

2020 has been a crazy year made worse by poor voting decisions made in 2016 when Trump was elected. I sure didn’t vote for him. Yes, it’s only the state primary election, but your decision on who to vote for can start to alter the future. While the November election will have the world watching who Americans choose for the next POTUS between Joe Biden (D) and Donald Trump (R), the real foundational changes will be at the local and state level.

During this covid-19 pandemic, here in America, we have seen the results of leadership or not between the 50 states. Ignoring the expert advice by Virology and Scientists, who devote their lives to understanding disease, because the goes against your political beliefs… Is like Democratic President Barack Obama ignoring the attacks on 9/11. The right wing would be furious, and rightfully so. This is what it feels like as a Liberal in America right now.

Every day i feel this way…
source

For people in some states, you can not vote and die, or stand up for yourself and vote. You can choose to vote someone in who actually cares about your life over politics, over the fucking economy. It’s vote or die!

https://southpark.cc.com/clips/104400/vote-or-die (The full clip with context that I can’t embed.)

source. I’m joking but who figured this would come true this year… I’m ready for 2020 to be over!

It’s too late to mail the ballot since it is election day, but all WA state voters can drop off their ballot at a box by 8pm today!

Here is where you can find ballot drop boxes for your county: https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/7.17.2020%20drop%20boxes%20and%20voting%20centers.pdf

Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

How to register to vote in WA state:

https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx

How to vote in America: https://vote.gov/

Candidate profiles from: https://voter.votewa.gov/genericvoterguide.aspx?e=865&c=99#/candidates/57059

Without further adieu, here are the last 12 candidates…

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

One vote in seattle, part 4

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This years candidates, Douche vs Turd x 37. Source: South Park season 8, episode 8, “Douche vs Turd”. 17:08 minutes in.

This is part 4 of a series of posts covering the candidates for governor in the WA state primary election. Here is part 1. Holy shit I’m only on 16/37 of all the candidates. What the fuck was I thinking? For those that have read the previous three posts, I apologize for not posting yesterday and promising I would. I was burned out after Friday’s post. I’m also frustrated at myself for not doing a small writeup. Now I have to finish this series in the next 2 days. While the in person drop off for ballot boxes is the same day on Tuesday, August 4th, the deadline for mailing the ballots is by tomorrow, August 3rd. Warning: post gets weird. 2527 words.

Since I discovered the Spotify embed in the WordPress editor last post, I’m going to change the format of future posts to have the music in the beginning. This week, I’ve been getting back into Incubus again. Back in the late aughts and early 2010’s, I used to have them on heavy rotation on my Microsoft Zune.

Edit: Damn, I thought I still had my Zune in a storage box, but I couldn’t find it!

How to register to vote in WA state:

https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx

How to vote in America: https://vote.gov/

Candidate profiles from: https://voter.votewa.gov/genericvoterguide.aspx?e=865&c=99#/candidates/57059

Photo by Aaron Schwartz on Pexels.com

Candidate #17: Gene Hart. Democratic Party.

Overall impression: A classic example of a candidate that has been in the politics game a long time. Election experience as a party delegate this year, along with military, professional, and community service experiences. In short a career activist on the path to being a politician. A bit over the top with statement tone and word choice. Maybe I’m nitpicking.

Weird stuff: (I figure it’s better to combine “Statement flaws + things that stand out” into this from now on)

Anyway… Weird stuff: “Multidisciplinary Studies at The University of Hard Knocks; Post Baccalaureate Graduate Studies in Business Administration, Healthcare Management, Law and Accounting” So, did he get a degree after his Bachelors, or is he bullshitting us by listing the classes he took, but didn’t go ahead and finish his degree? Probably bs, based on this cringy detail Multidisciplinary Studies at The University of Hard Knocks. Ugh.

“as Washington State Governor, I would most likely sign that reform, given my sense of it, as the next step for healthcare as an unalienable right.” Why are you wasting my time with most likely… AKA maybe? I’m already leaning Maybe No towards choosing you. “Our pandemical tsunami has changed the lay of the land.” GROAN.

“In my mind, it really is Full Mobilization, All Hands, Non-Profits, Profits and Government needed, urged, coached and inspired.” What the hell does this mean? Other than empty bullshit, once again.

“I will establish a Kitchen Cabinet concept in Office of the Governor” Lol, wut?

Yeah, I’m sure he meant this.

“Onward. We already have top quality, volunteers waiting in the wings.This is our home. We want, We deserve more. Putting People First, Keeping People First. It short, I want the good, better and best angels of our nature, fully mobilized, not the ugly, worst and flawed earth angels of our nature. My apology for long-winded polemic, but you did press the on button and it worked.The only limits to our realizations of tomorrows will be our doubts of todays. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.” Um…. Why is this familiar to me? Oh I know!

Needless to say, this strange turn is not going to convince me to vote for him.

Edit: oh he’s a sentient robot!

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

One vote in Seattle, part 3.

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Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

Part 1, Part 2. Prepare yourself for 2962 words!

This is part 3 of a series of posts I’ll be finishing before August 4th, the WA state primary election day. To prepare you, my politics is deep blue Liberal. I have been giving my thoughts about each candidate running for Washington state Governor. All 37 candidates…. Between the previous posts, there are 31 more to review before voting day. 😐With that in mind, I’m making making some tweaks to make writing this easier to do. I found it interesting to type the other candidates words by hand instead of copy-pasting, but it at times that felt like torture. Finishing this project, keeping my word to the readers, and to myself is what is important. I can’t count on finishing this sometime in the future, because all we have is this moment in time. Covid or not, nobody knows what the future will bring. There is no better time than now.

How to register to vote in WA state:

https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx

Without further ado, here are the next 10 candidates, starting with candidate #7 Liz Hallock.

Candidate profiles from: https://voter.votewa.gov/genericvoterguide.aspx?e=865&c=99#/candidates/57059

Photo by Aaron Schwartz on Pexels.com

Candidate #7: Liz Hallock. Green Party.

Overall impression: Finally a woman! I like that she is wearing a mask in her photo. Has election experience, experience with the law, and a small business owner. Normally I’m weary of any candidate that runs for the Green Party, but Hallock’s statement profile is a perfect example of what to do right. Each section filled with relevant experience, is to the point, and I know exactly where she stands on issues without over the top political spin. It’s nice to see a Green Party candidate that doesn’t have views that are impossible to achieve in our life times, or have a criminal record. I feel she could have won another race for office instead of the competitive governors race this year. Guess we will all see what she does from now on.

Things that stand out: “Involved in Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Yakima Humane Society, Yakima Immigrant Resource Network, First Descents Cancer Survivor Support Program, ESL Tutoring, Financial Education Courses for Domestic Violence Survivors, Recalling elected officials who actively encouraged citizens to defy Local Health Authority COVID-19 Stay-at-Home orders.” This is how you demonstrate community service.

Statement flaws: “mother of two.” Being a parent is not professional experience. “Finally, Amazon’s practices have been anti-competitive and predatory. We need to transform Amazon into a public utility owned by the people.” While this is true, I don’t see this ever happening in my lifetime. America already has the USPS. I admire the thought of dreaming for the impossible instead of the bullshit compromises the Democrats make with Republicans in DC.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

One vote in Seattle, part 2.

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Part 2 of Fridays post (One vote in Seattle, Part 1.) 1976 words.

The 🔥 continues…

I’m trying something different this week with this series of posts. I’m considering to post more often until I get another job. I was reminded today, that the WA primary election is on August 4th, which is 7 days from now. So, my goal is to complete my review of the 37 candidates by then.

Monday was fucking hot. As hot as putting your hand into a 450 degree oven. It was 93F on Monday in Seattle. I believe the hottest day so far this year. So I didn’t feel like doing much of anything, let alone writing… The days in 2020 are blending together. My mom said something about last year earlier today. I said “Last. Year?” What’s that?” With dry sarcasm. 2019 feels like a decade ago in 2020 America. At this point, the only thing that would surprise me would be “First Contact” with aliens. The only small amount of influence I have is to vote. I’m lucky, and grateful to live in a state with mail in voting. It’s so simple, and safe that seeing other places fight against it is like arguing against modern plumbing. Sure you can shit in an outhouse. But why would you when you can go number two inside where it’s far more comfortable and convenient? Utter blasphemy. First world problems, lol.

Anyway, here’s the next 5 candidates running for the Governor of Washington State…

Picture of the voters ballot in WA. Picture focus is of the candidates running for state governor.
37 different people running for governor this year! Progress! And horror because now I have to review all of these! Oof.

To my horror today, I opened my ballot and saw the photo above. I assumed going into this writing project that I could easily knock the hole thing off in maybe 2 posts about 2,000 words. Boy was I wrong! I published Fridays post and realized that Alex Tsimerman’s review was 1400 words! Fuck. I was in the zone in the 8 hours it took to write it. So, I’ll change things up, and keep it brief for each candidate. Here we go…

page 21 of the wa state voters guide.
I feel I waver between the professional and laziness spectrum for photos. Perfect Instagram photos are so boring to me. Life is about appreciating imperfection. Humans aren’t perfect.

Candidate # 2: Phil Fortunato. Republican Party.

Overall impression: Phil’s profile is a standard for a current elected official. Makes sense as he has held office on three separate occasions. I don’t agree with his Republican politics so I know I’m not voting for him. The current Republican politics of America are callous and selfish. Covid-19 is a human survival issue. Wearing masks, keeping your distance from people, and washing your hands is being considerate to your fellow human. It’s about being responsible for your actions. It’s about not wanting to inflict harm onto others. Don’t be a masskhole. Please, follow the guidelines.

Statement Flaws: Community service- Marriage is not community service. Neither is the number of children you have. To imply so is to say that your kids are sex trophies. Now that’s fucked up. He follows that by pimping out his kids military service for his own gain. Wow.

Things that stand out: “You can check my voting record…” Lol, nope. “Now his(Governor Jay Inslee) inconsistent response to Covid-19 has caused untold economic and social devastation to families and small businesses around the state.” I’m going to have to disagree with this statement. On the basis of science and empathy. My fellow Washingtonians and I were right to vote governor Inslee into office. It’s why our total covid-19 case count is: 53,231. Inslee has been proactive, follows expert advice, and took action early. This is so out of touch with reality.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

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One vote in Seattle, Part 1.

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I’m about to piss some people off with this series of posts over the next few days. Frankly, I’ll probably lose some family members who are on the other side of the aisle who are supporters of the current POTUS. I don’t care anymore. I’m proud to be a liberal, a far left politics person in the United States. America has become an embarrassment under Trump. Nobody is safe, not even here on the west coast in the liberal cities. I thought this would be easy to do in one post, but this year’s voter guide is a doozy. So, I’ll be giving them the good old free press treatment and roast all of them. Comedy and satire is the most accurate journalism these days. I encourage every voter to seek out as many possible voices to make an educated choice on who to vote for. Here is my voice from the political left… 1448 words.

WA state mail in ballot.

2020 primary ballot

My ballot for my local primary election arrived in the mail this week. Arriving the same day as the ballot was The Washington State voters guide. Part of the fun for me voting is reading this for the candidate profiles. Some profiles like “GOODSPACEGUY” are so insane that it’s hilarious. Though in the Trump world, I fear he might actually be elected. More on him later.

I’m struggling with this reality we live in current day America. A narcissist President who denies Science and empathy for his own selfish ends. But he is one man. I’m terrified and disgusted on a human level with his supporters. Wearing a facemask is a political issue to them. The entire world in a pandemic. A disease has no politics. The two requests: wear a facemask when leaving your house, and keep six feet of distance between other humans… Is apparently to much for local Seattelites to do at the park near my house. Every day on my walk, maybe half of other locals at the park or exercising like I am, are wearing a mask. Then 10% of those people are wearing it on their chin, or forehead until they get close to others. I feel I have resting bitch face when I’m out walking because of this shit. Then I’m seeing parties at houses with many people. Packed boats at the lake with nobody wearing masks… I fear the covid case count is about to spike sharply in the next month. All this in Left leaning Seattle. Though I’m a far left politics person, it feels like a tiny haven from the horrors of Trump. Where’s the hope for America when fellow Americans only care about themselves? Nobody survives alone in our world. It’s impossible to do all of the work by hand in our capitalist world. It’s hard to be empathic to fellow humans when their physical presence alone is a threat to your survival. Not voting is not a choice. It’s life or death for all Americans.

How to vote in Washington state: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/current-election-information.aspx

Source

Register to vote in the United States: https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

Source

Okay… That was a sobering end to the first paragraph. I started writing this intending for this blog entry to be funny. Well, I’ll let those running for WA State governor say it best… In their own words and profiles. I present to the absurdity of the August Primary!

17 pages of the whopping 88 pages is candidates running for the office of state governor. It can’t be that bad… Right?

The first two candidates

Picture of voters guide. First two candidates for WA governor. An interesting note which will be soon demonstrated in the corner near the page numbers: " King County Elections does not correct punctuation, grammar, or fact check candidate and measure statements." Buckle up kids.
First two candidates for WA governor. An interesting note which will be soon demonstrated in the corner near the page numbers: ” King County Elections does not correct punctuation, grammar, or fact check candidate and measure statements.” Buckle up kids.

So it begins…

Alex Tsimerman is first. For context, WA state has no requirement for candidates to choose a political party to be able to run. In its place under their name is their political party of preference. My impression of his photo is that he looks like an evil-idiot-bizarro George Carlin. (Evil George Carlin pic)

Source

Tsimerman’s political party? StandupAmerica. What the fuck is that?! Elected experience: none. Gotta start somewhere, right? Other professional experience: Business, Business consultant, and Caregiver for my mother. While I applaud him for being compassionate towards his parent who needs care, this is a job interview by voters! Oh, maybe he got his degree in nursing! (Reads next paragraph…. Nope!)

Source

Education: College, University, Master degree in Engineering & management. And… How could a college graduate with a master’s degree be so stupid? First off, if you have a college degree, all you need to say is that I have a ______ in _____. I know because I have an AAS in Catering & Banquet Operations aka a Culinary Arts degree. I’m inclined to think he’s lying about his education on first impression. Second, anyone with a high school education knows that you don’t need to put “College, University” before your degree title. Well, I know I’m not voting for him. Sigh… But I must press on to finish this blog post. As the great Eric Andre said on the YouTube show, Hot ones (a show where host Sean Evans interviews people while both eat spicy chicken wings sauced with the world’s spiciest hot sauces), “Gotta give the internet what it wants”

https://media1.giphy.com/media/l0Iyh9UVvYTf4O7KM/giphy.gif
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Irregular Update 04/08/20

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A bunch of Malarkey
Sourcehttps://www.flysparkchasers.com/hubfs/Malarkey.jpg

Irregular update:

I honestly didn’t know that last Friday was world Autism day. Or that April is autism awareness month. Guess it’s been around since 1970 (source). It’s amazing how much is going on in life. And you only notice because you choose to notice it. Because you become part of it.

There are no answers, only choices.” -Stanislaw Lem.

Politics

Now to blatantly ignore that logic and talk politics.

Bernie Sanders dropped out of the presidential race today. Ugh… I’m nauseous. Joe Biden can’t beat Trump. He doesn’t understand that he is the token white guy for Obama. At best one of those old assistant coaches in sports that finally gets the job after the head coach (Barack Obama) who won the championships moves on. He isn’t different enough from Trump. Biden is not 2008 Obama. Or his peak 2008 self. We need a once in a lifetime transformational figure who inspires hope in the future. That was Bernie Sanders. I just don’t understand why the rest of country didn’t like him. Maybe it’s more election interference with Russia. I sincerely hope that this country will recover from the destruction wrought by Republicans. How did Biden miss Obama’s biggest mistake? He is insane if he thinks Senate Republicans will listen to him. 45 (The current person in power; I refuse to refer to him by name, therefore acknowledging his existence.) will say or do anything to have attention to himself. He will never be accountable. The Democratic party learned nothing from 2016. Republicans want every bit of control for themselves. Republicans are winning the battles and wars, while the Democratic party acts too good to fight in the trenches. Everybody but the 1% loses.

This is the start of a post-future apocalypse movie. The 1% scour all the resources, then blast away in spaceships. The unworthy are slowly left to die in agony on a barren Earth. Joe Biden is the cliche president that dies in the disaster. Is later replaced by the archetype hero who takes over. The difference is there won’t be a happy ending. Us regular people are quarantined on Earth. Left to rebuild. To restart human civilization while the Earth recovers. This is a great sci-fi story premise, but a nightmare for our modern world… Rich in sources for survival and addiction. Or like Stan Lee’s cameo character turning into a marvel superhero. (Although, that premise would make a hilarious Mel Brooks superhero satire movie.)

Malarkey:

Hell, even the campaign slogan for 2020 Biden is awful. “No Malarkey.” I have trouble spelling this in the search bar!

Let’s break it down: 2008 Obama: Yes we can!

No (not in any degree or manner; not at all (used with a comparative): He is no better.) Malarkey (speech or writing designed to obscure, mislead, or impress; bunkum: The claims were just a lot of malarkey.)

Yes we can!: An affirmation for a group of people to have the power or means to do.

The problem isn’t unclear communication or purposefully misleading information. 45 just is that stupid. And doesn’t give a fuck what happens after. This campaign slogan alone tells me… Fuck No on this guy. He’s trying to hide something. 45 may only know himself, but he’s an expert in that. I guess Biden is an expert in bullshit. So the slogan is a referendum on 45 being Malarkey? That’s as absurd as me, a beginning blogger, expecting every post to go viral and have millions of dollars appear in my bank account like magic.

I want whatever weed he’s smoking. Probably a cross of the cannabis strains Obama Kush and Amnesia. I call it “Malarkey”  Negative Side effects include Anxiety, paranoia, dizziness, and nausea. The primary effect leaves you with conflicting feelings and wondering when this couch lock will be over. 

Hope is extinguished for Federal elections. The U.S. has serious structural problems at all levels and nobody seems to care to fix them. At least local elections actually change the future, such as my state governor Jay Inslee doing everything right to stop COVID-19. It’s too bad he dropped out so early in the run for president! Time to prepare… For the apocalypse.

I think this post is the most times I’ve ever used the word “Malarkey”. Regular update on Fridays.

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Please wear a mask outside that covers your mouth and nose, wash your hands, clean your cell phone, and keep your physical distance from others to fight Covid-19!

© Reilly Anderson. 2020. All rights reserved.