What you see going by is a Shadow...

I've been steadily losing faith in our political system for years. But with Michigan's primary date fast approaching, my political feelings are turning from lack of faith to extreme anger.

What gets me the most is that my vote in the primary will not count. How can we let that happen in this day and age? This is the United States of America, right? We, US citizens, have the right to vote, it's written into the Constitution.

Some of you may not know what I'm talking about, even those of you in the USA. The media is doing a horrible job explaining the situation, if they even attempt to explain it at all...

So let me recap to the best of my non-political science ability (I apologize in advance, I'm a geologist):

• Michigan and Florida decided to move their primary dates up in an attempt to:

1. Get our State's issues more publicity
   

2. Make a point about the 'broken' primary process

• The Democratic and Republican National Committees punished both States for their actions:

1. Democrats: Pressured candidates to remove their names from the ballot (and not allow write-ins to count), pressured candidates into not campaigning in either State, and threatened to not seat ANY delegate from either State at the convention

2. Republicans: Halved the delegates for each State from the convention

• Iowa and New Hampshire moved their primaries ahead of both Michigan's and Florida's to retain the 'first' primary status but neither State was penalized

It is important to note that in Michigan, at least, the issue of moving the primary up was not voted on by the citizens. The State government did that on its own. We've had absolutely no say in this matter and are suffering the consequences.

The results are a little different for Michigan and Florida, and as a Michigander, I'm outraged that we got the short end of the stick.

When I go to the polls to vote on January 15^th, I will not be able to vote for my favorite Democratic candidate. My choices will be 'Hillary Clinton' or 'uncommitted'. If I choose to write-in say Barack Obama, my ballot will be invalid. Hillary is the only candidate who chose to keep her name on the ballot in Michigan.

In Florida, all candidates are on the ballot, but the vote may be a 'dummy' one if no delegates are seated.

Some people think this is a slap in the face from the candidates themselves. I am not one of those people.

I blame the non-elected officials who run both parties. Who are they to tell each State when it can and when it can't schedule an election? Who are they to keep candidates from campaigning in certain States? Because our lawmakers decided to move a date forward, no Democratic candidate is allowed to come to Michigan and meet with the people? That's absurd! And now that write-ins are blocked, it's almost like they've decided who we can and can't vote for.

But Iowa and New Hampshire are spared any punishment exactly why? It's only fair if you punish one State for moving an election that you punish all States who do so. Sure, their hands were 'forced' by 'greedy' States like Michigan and Florida. But that gives them a reprieve? I'm scratching my head over that one. It seems to me that both parties favor certain States over others.

This is why I hate politics. Democracy my ass, the non-elected party officials are running this election. How backward is that? It could have a major effect on the election itself, think 'hanging Chads' of 2008, and it makes me sick.

Michigan has 17 electoral votes and roughly 10 million citizens, many of which are like me: angry over the fact that our votes won't count come January 15^th.

What's your favorite game to play?

Kingdom of Loathing. Hands down.

Kol

What's the best photo you took this year?  Show and tell!

I can't decide, either of these, I guess...

Rainbow

I took this one at my uncle's cabin on Big Star Lake (Baldwin, Michigan) at sunset. It was one of the last pictures I took with my Fujifilm camera that died on the last day of Coast Guard Festival. *sigh*

cabin sunset

What was your major or field of study in college? Did you wind up working in that field or using that degree? If not, what field have you wound up in? 
Submitted by sneuf. 

I studied Geology because rocks are neat. =P I have both a Bachelors and Masters but nothing to show for it besides a couple pieces of paper.

But I can't for the life of me find a job in the field right now. Everyone wants '4-5 years of experience outside of school' to even consider your application. Which, IMO, is total crap because how do they expect anyone who just graduated to get experience?

I'm currently working random temporary jobs that have zero to do with my major. It's frustrating to say the least. And everyone keeps telling me that 'the right job just hasn't come up yet'. *rolls eyes* That's not very helpful...

I'm beginning to wonder if I should just get Microsoft Certified and work with computers instead. *sigh*

What's your alma mater?
Submitted by Lies.

Grand Haven High School; Grand Haven, MI, USA
- Class of 2000

Grand Valley State University; Allendale, MI, USA
- B.S. in Geology (2004)

University of Idaho; Moscow, ID, USA
- M.S. in Geology (2006)

What's the worst new television show to premiere this season?

The only new show I watched was the first episode of Private Practice. Addison wasn't anything like the Addison I grew to love on Grey's Anatomy... So I'm boycotting PP with the faint hope that it fails and she returns to Grey's... *sigh*

Who has been the most surprising player so far in the 2007 NFL season?

I'm a Detroit Lions fan. I'll always be a Lions fan, but I'm a realist when it comes to this team. The past few seasons, they've had pretty good defense. Their offense was lacking; not in raw talent, but in staying healthy, playing well as a group, and actually accomplishing something good during a game.

So I don't have a single player to list as 'most surprising'. I have to go with the entire offense of the Detroit Lions. Sure they lost yesterday and didn't even get a TD, but they've been very impressive in the games they've won this season. Much more so than in the recent past. And that gives me a little bit of hope.

Now if they could only be more consistent. And get their defense to be as good as their offense, we might be able to make the playoffs... But I'm not holding my breath.

Show us your favorite athlete.

Hands down, my answer is:

stevie y

What shows are you looking forward to in the new fall TV season?

Most of the shows that I'm really looking forward to don't officially start till January, but I'll list them because I can...

Fall:

• Stargate Atlantis -  Although I'm annoyed about some of the casting changes... Not the additions, just the major reduction of a certain favorite character of mine... *grr*
• Grey's Anatomy - I'm mad that Addison is leaving (and refuse to watch Private Practice because the trailer was horrible and I secretly hope it fails so Addison can come back to Grey's). I hear this season is going to be less dark than last year, which will be much better. I hope.
  

• 24 - What little I know about the 7th Day has me hopeful that it'll be better than the vast majority of Day 6
• Battlestar Galactica - We get a teaser in November, but the final season doesn't start till January. This series is frakking awesome. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it!

Also, these 2 shows don't really count as being part of the 'fall tv season' because they are on year-round. But I look forward to being able to watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report on the nights they air instead of the reruns the next day. =D

Video: Share a video that makes you laugh every time you watch it.

Why of course that would be Charlie the Unicorn! LOL!