Throughout my adult life I have had a love/hate relationship with politics, although no matter where I have sat on the political spectrum I have always found it fascinating. It may surprise you but I have never been registered to any political party specifically – I have always been registered as a non-partisan or whatever the equilvalent is in whatever state I’m residing in – in California I am a “decline to state”. And while my political views are decidedly closer to the conservative side it does not make me a Republican as some seem to think. However, I will say that by and large I tend to agree more with Pubbies then I do with the Libbies. It just sort of works out that way. Which has always been a source of consternation for my die-hard Democrat family and poor dear father who is probably quaking in his grave at the the thought that I would have voted against Bill Clinton, Algore, John Kerry, et al. The reason however, that I have never aligned myself with a specific party is because I do believe that there are always exceptions to the rule and that I want to stay as open to that as possible so I do not pledge myself to either of the main parties and probably never will.
That being said my latest addiction to politics began with the 2000 election cycle and carried through pretty much all the way to last year. That I’ve had a particular dislike for the candidates running on the liberal side of things has made me more of a champion of the conservative side of things – and it leaves me wondering why the hell the Dems never seem to find anybody that I can like, trust or believe. But what’s a voter to do, know what I’m saying?
And as many of you probably already know that when Annie throws herself into something, she throws it full force. No halfway crap for me, I’m in or I’m out – nuff said. But somewhere along the beginning of this year I started to realize that politics was shortening my life or more to point it was boiling my blood and I found that I was angry far too much of the time. Short tempered, grumpy, cranky, argumentative and just an overall bitchy kinda gal – so for the first time in many years I turned off talk radio, I stopped going to Drudge, and any of the larger political sites, stopped watching the news, reading the newspaper. To my surprise and delight I started to feel better. I found I wasn’t pissed all the time and in fact, there was life after politics. This made me smile. So I continued not doing all the above things and I continued to feel better. And it dawned on me that like the economy I had come to the end of a seven year cycle. And it felt good. LOL.
And I’m sure a lot my regular readers have noticed that there are not nearly the political posts on this blog that there used to be. That I am less inclined to debate about politics with anyone, reader or stranger and that we’ve been concentrating more on other topics. This is no accident, this is intentional. I needed a break to put it plainly and maybe so did you, I don’t know. Also too, it may be that some of you who are into the fray in this arena have noticed that I don’t comment quite so much on posts of a political nature especially if they moving in the direction of contention – again this is intentional as 1) I don’t feel like arguing and 2) I’m not in the loop like I used to be and 3) Politics really hasn’t changed all that much in the last 100 years. But let me assure you it’s not personal, nor does it have anything to do with your blogging style or my fanship of your writing. Okay?
I will continue to read with interest my usual battery of blogs that cover politics because they for the most part are keeping me in the loop – and that’s about all I’m going to be allowing for my political diet for some time to come. Anyway, I guess that’s my point. I’m feeling better and a lot happier not having worry about all the play by play of this sometimes nasty game (very nasty) – and beyond keeping myself informed of the general nature of things am not bothering with it too much. I’ll still do the stray commentary now and again but I’m thinking we’re moving toward more happy topics. Okay?
Anita Rodgers Mystery Writer 
I’ve not once ever cared about politics. I’ve tried, and I’ve laughed a great deal over the comedy side of it (Stewart and Colbert). But I have not yet taken that leap of faith and responsibility and tried to understand what each candidate stands for.
Luckily I’m Canadian, so I just have to worry about who is going to screw us the least.
Matthew Dryden´s last blog post..A Warm Place
Hey Matthew,
Your last line kind of says it all, ‘just have to worry about who is going to screw us the least’ doesn’t it?
WC
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Two things:
a) Still don’t understand why in the US one has to register to vote. One would think that being a US citizen would give one the right to vote? In Canada we don’t have to register, so some of problems the US has been facing don’t apply. We have our own problems though, like lately, loosing cast votes.
b) Your ‘chill’ approach with politics. Reminds me of my Dad who got to the point that discussing politics will ruin his day and anybody elses for that matter…..
Thanks for sharing Annie
spaz´s last blog post..Benjamin Zander
Hey Spaz,
Because in our country voting is considered a privelige which a citizen may or may not avail themselves of – also too, if you have ever read our Constitution (which I don’t expect anyone other than Americans to have done) you would see the brilliance and wisdom, I think, of our founding fathers. I believe their overall goal was to create a nation wherein all citizens felt they had a hand in what happened in their country and the decisions that were made and that part of that was taking responsibility and raising their hand, so to speak, and saying “I’m in.”
My chill approach comes from the fact that it is not my ‘job’ to determine the flow or manner of politics – while I am interested in what is being done, my job is create as a writer and artist and (hopefully) propagate some sort of beauty into the world. We all have our jobs, you know? 😉
Annie
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Yeah, I guess you haven’t been posting as much on politics now that I think about it. But you’ve also been able to focus more on some other types of writing that have helped grow you even more, just as a little flower growing in the sun… 🙂
Ok, so I’m not good at that stuff, but you know what I’m saying….I’ve been meaning to email you. But not about flowers.
Kim
Kim´s last blog post..The Seat of the Faculty of Intelligence and Reason
Hey Kim!
Wow, I was just thinking of you and here you are. That’s kind of magical, eh? I like the analogy, it works for me – sometimes I do feel like a little flower growing in the sun. No…. really, I do. 🙂
Annie
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They’re all crooks or they wouldn’t be politicians. Rub the thin veneer off of any of them conservative or liberal and it’s the same bunch of crooks underneath.
Evyl´s last blog post..Freak Of The Week Winner: Punish The Freak
Sort of like a scratcher with no chance of winning money at the end, eh? 😆
Annie
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Agreed.
MJ´s last blog post..O, O, it’s magic! Y’knooooooow!
And there you have it. 😉
Annie
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Hi Annie,
And that, I suspect, is pretty much why my wife stomps my foot under the table whenever any guest brings up some stupid political crap. While I can’t really fault her for the ban on political discussions, I must say that I do miss taunting idiots who disagree with my views on the subject into making a disparaging personal remark, when they can’t logically support their position, at which point I would throw my plate at their face, followed quickly by my body, and proceed to beat some sense into their head.
Holiday meals aren’t nearly as much fun these days, at least from my point of view, and the institution of arbitrary non-violence rules has done nothing toward encouraging me to follow my exercise program.
In summary, I would ask how we, as concerned citizens, are expected to come to an informed consensus on political issues while we have to waste so much time and effort on constraining our natural reactions? The current nasty political atmosphere in Congress is due, in my opinion, to the simple fact that pistol duels between elected officials on the lawn in front of the Capitol Building are no longer allowed. Truly, if one can say anything without any personal threat, then they will.
the Grit
the Grit´s last blog post..The Walking Dead Vote
Hey Grit,
How I would have loved to have been at some of those past holiday meals. Sorry about the exercise program, but doughnuts are good too. 😉
I’m afraid I’d have to agree with you wholeheartedly about the dueling aspect of settling political differences – now there is a proposition I could happily vote into being. 😉
Annie
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Every day, i make the same vow to step away. Honestly, the only other time i gave a rat’s butt was when i was 18 and finally able to vote for the first time. i was so stupid and young and idealistic.
Now i’m older and grumpy and can’t handle what’s going on with folks recently and somehow, even though i turn into a bitter old snatch over this stuff, i find myself reading and hearing and taking it all in. What can i say? i’m an emotional cutter. 😉
Anyway it makes me seriously miserable, hateful and suspicious. i say good for you! We should all be as wise and spend our time and energy investing in the stuff that’s true and lasting- like friendship. 🙂
Hey Chica,
I understand that place that you describe and honestly, for a long time it felt kind of good to be there because I was spoiling for a fight maybe? Could be I too was an emtional cutter too, once upon a time. But I will say that a steady diet of this stuff can be very hard on a person but mostly because we lack any control over what is said and done. Better yes that we work on creating what beauty we can offer the world than the ugly fights on the Hill, eh? Yes, like friendship, always my friend.
Love
Annie
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I admit that when Palin was nom’d, I expected something from you on the topic and … nothing much. Which is fine, too, don’t get me wrong. I so agree that the news is just too depressing and anything for a soundbyte but never ‘good’. I can say that I don’t regret any of my votes cast for Prez that I’ve made in all my years and that included quite a few ‘losers’.
“I’m voting for the Chick!” (the WRITERchick, that is…) Go Annie GO!, do what you do, it’s beauty.
CuriousC´s last blog post..Rocks That Look Like Dogs?
Aw C,
You’re my favorite cheerleader ever. Yeah, you would have thought that I would have had a lot to say on the Palin topic but the thing is, this election cycle is just to nasty even for me – so I’ve made up my mind what I”m going to do – no need to get into the fray because there are so many who will keep you abreast of the latest food fight, eh?
Voting for me, eh? Yikes I doubt I could elected as the local dogcatcher but thanks honey.
Hugs,
Annie
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Annie Darling,
Will you rule the country please, well, will you rule the world please, then I can be under your rule. I understand you, I don’t understand to much. I know its a corrupt political world, where the manipulation of the mind is in full swing.
I’ve opted out Annie, smiling – I never opted in. I have my own politics and just make my own little bits and bats of differences, when and where I can and I know its ignorant and I know I’m stupid and I am told I MUST care for and about our country. OMG I do, you better believe I do, I care about the people.
BUT !
I don’t understand that cruel class thing we have going on here.Its so hard for me to read about politics, I do when I come here but I won’t read anywhere elese.
THERE ARE PEOPLE FUCKING DYING OUT THERE. The world doesn’t give a shit, it tries to pretend to, bollocks.
Love You and the World Annie
Di
Oh Di,
If I ruled the world everyday would be the first day of Spring… Do you remember that song? And wouldn’t it be lovely. You are not stupid in the least my friend, you are just too real to buy the bullshit and in my mind that puts you heads and shoulders above so many. Yeah, in the end, what matters are the people in the world, no the isms, the ologies and whatever… Right? My sound lass.
Love
Annie
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I’m smiling, I’ll just come back to this post. I’ve just been wondering if we should take a vote and elect a President or Prime Minister in Blog World.
Hehe! Who would you vote for ?
Love in Smiles not Pol antics.
Di
Hi Di,
That is a helluva an idea. I love it. Hmmmmm…. who would I vote for? It would have to be Evyl because he’d kick the ass of any jerk who screwed us over and if he was in a good mood would only send them to the prison island. Yeah, I’m liking that idea. 😆
Love
Annie
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Hi Annie,
Anytime you are in the area at the right time, we always have extra space at the table. Well, actually, if the table fills up, and it has, it’s more accurate to say that we have extra tables. Honestly, if we stretch things, and people aren’t all that sensitive about eating in really close proximity to their fellow guests, we can probably seat 50 without much fuss. Oh, and I always cook at least twice as much as what I figure people will eat (and I base this guess on what college kids will scarf down so the real feeding factor is probably more like 4 instead of 2,) because, as a Southerner, I absolutely refuse to be the one to tell a guest that he/she can’t have seconds.
You’re always welcome,
the Grit
the Grit´s last blog post..The Walking Dead Vote
Hey Grit,
I’m wondering… how far is Memphis from Arlington? I might be in that neighborhood sometime soon. I love the ‘gang’ dinners – they’re the best. Like having your own personal banquet room. I’ll sit anywhere my fanny will fit – rest assured I wouldn’t deny myself any of your delightful cooking. I’m with you, when it says double the recipe I figure it can’t hurt to double it again, yes? 😉
WC
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Hi WC,
Depending on traffic and how heavy your foot is, it’s around a 15 hour drive, not counting stopping for meals, restroom breaks, and fuel. My son and I made it from Memphis to Richmond in 14 hours once when he was looking at colleges, but ate drive through food and took turns driving/sleeping. Not to mention that we, for a good deal of the trip, had the cruse control on our rental set on 90.
As to food, if you don’t come at Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’ll have to settle for dinner with just me and the wife. Home made crepes filled with chicken brazed in red wine and chopped spinach sautéed with minced onion, garlic, and a bit of heavy cream – covered with a nice white sauce with lots of Parmesan cheese melted into it, and on a good day topped with just a few crumbles of well cooked bacon – and steamed asparagus drizzled (heavily) with my secret cheddar cheese sauce on the side. Oh, and home made rolls. Of course, that can only be followed with desert crepes, filled with a sweetened cream cheese and ricotta cheese mixture and topped with a sauce made from whatever fruit is ripe marinated in a little orange and lime juice, a bit of sugar, a hefty dose of Grand Marnier, and just a hint of some sweet Indian spices, and a sprinkle of confectioners sugar just for show. Dang, now I’m hungry.
the Grit
the Grit´s last blog post..The Walking Dead Vote
Gee Grit,
I didn’t think it was that far. I’m not so good on the lead foot but my partner in crime might be. Menu sounds delish – that alone sounds like good reason to put the pedal to the metal. 🙂
Annie
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Darn it, the Grits meals sound scrumptious. Now I am hungry.
Know what you mean Annie. I will be glad when this is over although I may not be a happy camper from the way it seems to be headed.
It makes my blood boil…yep, I have to constrain myself and just blog about what I think is really going on… Oh well, My mama and Daddy & perhaps entire family were Democrats and their little girl went to the right. What can I say? I am an independent leaning to the right.
Hugs to ya!
Angie´s last blog post..The Media Lie..Or Silence
It does sound good, doesn’t it? I wonder when he’s opening his restaurant and if we can get a table up front. 😉
Well girl, I know how you feel and I’m glad you’re in there pitching – you’re one of those I depend on to keep me on top of things – so don’t stop as long as you can stand to keep going. We need you out there in the trenches. 😉
Annie
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Emotional cutter. I think c knows me. 😦
Annie, you are so wise to turn away from all the political pollution out there. It is so stress inducing, and the only control we have is our one vote. We should concentrate on the good, the beautiful, the fulfilling. You keep me grounded, girl. Thanks!
PiedType´s last blog post..Uh oh; I r terrist?
Aw 30,
What a nice thing to say – thank you. You’re right – we have the one vote. That’s it. My days of rabble rousing (at least for now) are over. There will always be issues that are important to me which I’ll bring up if only to make fun of them. But you know I have to say that since I’ve been concentrating on what I feel really is my job – I’ve been so much happier in the long run. I guess if it’s not in your blood then maybe it’s time to find something else you know?
LOL – you and c with your emotional cutter stuff. 🙄
Love
Annie
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