My Top Ten of Everything from 2008

There have been so many "top 10" lists that I am creating my own. Here's my top ten list of things that really got my attention last year.

1. Barack Obama is elected President of the United States of America. Wow. What a fabulous thing the people of our country did in electing a black Democratic president. It not only demonstrated the resolve to oust the Bush Kingdom; it showed how sincerely sick the American people are of economic distress, the Iraq war and inadequate health care. My kudos go to the people of the west coast and Nevada, some northern states and the northeast coastal states who toppled the midwest and southern Republican domination of political elections.

2. George Carlin dies. The full article I recommend is listed here. A funny clip of George Carlin's famous 7 Words You Can't Say on Television is found here.

3. The best video I saw all year. Wingsuit Base Jumping in Norway.

4. Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Besides cheering for our American hero, swimmer Michael Phelps, it was cool to see clips of Beijing city and the surrounding area.

5. Proposition 8 Passes in California, much to my dismay. Of all the liberal states, it's California that one would expect to favor equal rights for all. Here's a funny video about Proposition 8:

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... from Jack Black

6. Sarah Palin. In general. What an astonishing pick for V.P.! I share the view of John Cleese, who says that if we elect Obama, then the world will see that "Americans are not all a backwoods, redneck, racist society". ( shown below in Part 1 and then Part 2: )





7. Black Gaming closes Oasis Casino in Mesquite, Nevada. This is my hometown, and to close a major casino here has caused a ripple-effect of unemployment, homelessness and bankruptcy. There were only 4 major casinos and now Mesquite is down to three major casinos. Almost all casinos in Nevada have lost revenue compared to a year ago, and this has hurt the State of Nevada in many ways, by reducing the State's share of gaming revenue which funds many government programs. All bad news.

8. Best television program of 2008: "The Office". Once you get "into" it, this show is hilarious. Click on this, for a great clip from the show.

9. Best joke of the year:

“ An infinite number of mathematicians walk into a bar. The first one orders a beer. The second orders half a beer. The third, a quarter of a beer. The bartender says 'You're all idiots', and pours two beers. ”

10. The economic meltdown. Apparently, mortgage brokers offering easy mortgages to bad credit risks started the ball rolling, and before we knew it, the United States Congress voted to give mortgage securities firms a huge financial bailout. Then the economy in general started to tank. Many companies have laid off employees, and the unemployment rates have skyrocketed. Many homes are in foreclosures. And the worst is yet to come.

Hockey Mom V.P. and then President of USA?

Palin for V.P.? Surely you can't be serious...and don't call me Shirley!

What a stupid Vice President choice from McCain! Gee, I know a lot of soccer moms with 5 kids, with a little political experience in my home state of Utah! McCain could have asked the local church leaders for some recommendations and would have had a gold mine in responses. They are often pro-life, don't know shit about foreign policy, have knocked-up teens (because they don't believe in birth control...just abstinance), and have that bright and sappy facial expression that works so well with the uneducated or easily-fooled. If looking like you have a positive outlook with a great smile is what is important in an election, the dour Abraham Lincoln and other wonderful U.S. Presidents of the past would have never made it past the primaries.

As so many political experts are trying to say, pointing out that McCain is a 72-year-old cancer survivor (so far), and the Vice President is just a "heartbeat away" from being President, it is likely that this soccer mom (ok, it's Hockey) could be our future President. Think about it...Palin, as President of the United States and leader of the free world? I would be so embarrassed and saddened for this great country, which would be "stuck" with an inexperienced "soccer mom" as our leader. Could this lead to disaster? (BTW, I am female and could have easily voted for Hillary).

So...are you thinking of voting for McCain-Palin? Think again. Obama and Biden as a team are fabulous. As the background video on the life of Obama, shown at the Democratic National Convention discussed, he is a brilliant, inquisitive, Harvard graduate who chose to serve "the people" instead of working for a fabulous salary at just about any law firm in the country. He is a true leader, whether you agree with all of his political stances or not.

My prayer is this: "God, grant this country the serenity to accept the things it cannot change (stupid Republican Presidential ticket), the courage to change the things it can, (vote for Obama/Biden), and the wisdom to know the difference."