(oxy)moron

Let's talk about the contradiction that is me:

I'm a self proclaimed conservative republican. I really am. I just see no other way to be.

However... I'm addicted to NPR.

I know! I know! I can't stop! I know I'm supposed to be listening to Hannity and Rush (seriously, I don't like either of those guys) and Glenn (love him though) but try as I might I cannot stop listening to NPR. It's been going on for weeks now and the end is no where in sight. I feel like such a traitor to my party when I listen to such "liberal" news (seriously, it's not). I don't love it just for the news. I also love it for all the dirty hippy, tree huggin, liberal, weed smokin, indie lovin, eco-freak, soft spoken, socialist, patchouli scented other crap on there too.

My father would be so ashamed if he knew.

2 more girl crushes (and i don't mean sarah & hillary):

c'mon. this is just damn funny.

i love paying tithing

I thought this article was really, really, really interesting.

So much about this article is interesting but if you don't want to read it the basic gist is that the presidential and vice presidential candidates have released their tax records. These people (well... Obama, Cindy McCain and the Clintons) make a sh'load of money! Most donate a decent part of that to charity. However, Senator Joe Biden (who, in 2007, earned $319k and donated $995 or 0.3% of it) has donated an average of $369 PER YEAR over the last decade to charity.

Is it seriously sad that I donate more PER MONTH than Biden has donated PER YEAR over the last decade? Yes. Yes, it is.

Republicans do it right

Believe me. I'm not one of those Republicans that chose her party simply because her parents were ultra conservative Republicans. I spent my first 2 decades being totally apathetic. Then I spent the next few years not really caring about politics (get it?... cuz apathy and not caring are the same thing? hilarious, right?)

Four years ago my interest in politics was piqued during the presidential race. I actually cared about who won. I even had a W bumper sticker (and yes, I still like him). In the interim I became even more interested- and more importantly- more educated. I've spent a lot of time pondering on what makes someone a Republican, Democrat or Independent. What beliefs lead one to support one party over another.

Now here we stand at the brink of yet another intense battle for the presidency. It seems the popular thing to do amongst folks my age is to be all PrObama. Not this gal. I mean, I'll give it to the guy- he gives a great speech. I watched the DNC. I feel like Hugh Hewitt:

And of course, he is a brilliant, almost hypnotic speaker. I broadcast from the Democratic Convention in Boston in 2004, and was in the hall when Senator Obama blew away the crowd and the national television audience with a remarkable keynote address about which I can recall nothing except the beauty and skill of its delivery.

I've vocalized my feelings about McCain (meh) and Palin (lurve!) before here on blog. And even though I don't feel that McCain is the best candidate ever (cuz that would've been Mitt), he and Palin will be getting my vote because they are the better (by far) than their opponents and basically they stand for what I believe. I've studied the voting records of both McCain and Obama and let me tell you- I fear an Obama presidency.

So... what's my point? I AM A REPUBLICAN! and proud of it baby! There are 3 specific things I read/heard in the last few weeks that have put perfectly in words why I am a Republican through and through:

From Jay Nordlinger's article "Palin Fever, &c"-

Loved something a senior politician told us in Minnesota: It’s hard to run against the Democrats. Because they’re the party that proposes to give people free stuff. And it’s very, very hard to run against people promising free stuff. You have to say, “We, by contrast, will give you the opportunity to make your own way, while keeping a net under you lest you fall too far.”
Interestingly formulated.

From Mike Huckabee's speech (never would I ever have guessed I'd like something that guy said because I have it on good authority that he's certifiably insane) at the Republican National Convention-

Let me make something clear tonight: I'm not a Republican because I grew up rich. I'm a Republican because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life poor, waiting for the government to rescue me.

And finally from the book "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch (I realize this doesn't address politics or Republicanism directly but I thought it was relevant. Also, this was seriously one of the BEST books I've ever read) -

I understand the arguments about how the billions of dollars spent to put men on the moon could have been used to fight poverty and hunger on Earth. But, look, I'm a scientist who sees inspiration as the ultimate tool for doing good.
When you use money to fight poverty, it can be of great value, but too often, you're working at the margins. When you're putting people on the moon, you're inspiring all of us to achieve the maximum of human potential, which is how our greatest problems will eventually be solved.

Also, it's really convenient that I'm a Rep because I love elephants. And also, I'm still welcome at my parents dinner table (wouldn't be the case if I were a leftist liberal freak).

girl crush:

BOO-YAH. I love this woman.

a caucusing we'll go...

I'm not gonna lie. I pretty much have a crush on Mitt. And yes, we're on a first name basis...

I decided that it's time to get political. I've been pretty apathetic my whole life (that's what happens when you grow up in the most Republican state in the union). Now that I'm in a state where my vote really matters (not to say that Utahan's votes don't count... they totally do, esp since the state has become much more diverse than when I lived there) and because of the early intensity of this upcoming presidential campaign I've found myself drawn into the election coverage, learning about the candidates and forming opinions of my own about the political issues of the day and the candidates.

Thursday I attended a rally for Mitt which featured none other than the Mitt himself! It was fantastic. I whooped and hollered and I'm pretty sure I had a few good fist pumps in there. It was a lot of fun to see him in person. With my very own eyes!

Don't worry. I'm not one of those Mormons who is voting for him just because he's a Mormon. I actually agree with him on most of the issues. I honestly feel he is the best candidate to fill the Presidency. I could go on about this, and why I think some of the other candidates are certifiably crazy. But, I won't. Y'all are probably much smarter than I am on the topic and I don't really feel like getting taken to court just yet because might not know what I'm talking about. In fact, at the rally I caught myself forgetting that Mitt was a Mormon and thinking "Man! This guy really has a lot of the same moral stances as I do and would make a really good Mormon." Yeah, sometimes my brain breaks. I had to laugh when I realized what I was thinking. No wonder!

This morning was the Nevada Caucus and I attended, having done a bit of research before hand so that I would have some sort of clue what to expect. It was a really neat and educational experience. Thursday at the rally I told my friend that I wanted to be a delegate but maybe not really since I wasn't sure what a delegate did. But still, I kinda wanted to be one. Well guess what. I'M A DELEGATE! And I'm pretty dang excited about it! At my precinct meeting I had the opportunity to fill one of the positions so I jumped at the chance. So, I'll be attending the Clark County Convention in late February and I'm considering nominating myself to become a state delegate. I've been mentally preparing my speech all day. Perhaps I'll deliver it to you when I've got it polished up.

Anyway! Interesting morning. I caucused. I became a delegate. I really feel like I'm doing my civic duty! This is a first! I even stayed after and helped count the votes. And, by the time I got home from the caucus several national news networks were already reporting Mitt's win. Hurray!

Here are some photos and a video from the rally on Thursday.