Blagojamess FTW!

Ok, so clearly I've been doing a crap job of posting to World's Best Burger. I think once the Romney campaign died, so did my will to blog. After all, now that I have the president I wanted, who will I mercilessly make fun of in 2009. 

Anyway, Blogojevich is a possibility (you know, I'm not sure if I spelled that right, and I don't care).

What kind of dumb ass -- accused of trying to sell a Senate seat -- then goes on to appoint someone to that Senate seat. Regardless of how great the guy appointed is, the whole thing is tainted. Mother Theresa would be tainted by a Blogojappointment. 

I'm going to say taint again: taint. taint. taint. taint. It's a terrible word, and the best one out there to describe this situation. 

Good luck getting this appointment through the Senate confirmation process. 

Oh Sarah (To the tune of "Oh Sheila")

Seriously, Sarah Palin -- can't you just go quietly and graciously into the night instead of continuing to embarass yourself and humanity on this "media tour" of yours? Please?

This song is for you. Although a version that actually says "Oh Sarah" would be nice, I just think we need an excuse to listen to the sounds of Ready for the World.

Free Stuff on Election Day

You know, if there are two things I love, it's delicious, free snackies and ...uh...performing my civic duty.

But, clearly, my civic duty doesn't stop at voting. I'd be remiss to WBB's 5-6 readers if I didn't provide a quick roundup of free eats and drinks up for grabs tomorrow. (UPDATED on Nov. 4 to include more food and non-food related freebies and discounts...see below.)

Starbucks. Go in on Nov. 4, tell 'em you voted, and snag a free tall coffee.

Ben & Jerrys. Stop by between 5 and 8 p.m. and get a free scoop of ice cream. This nifty link can give you the nearest participating scoop shop.

Krispy Kreme. Free donuts. Patriotic donuts. That would probably taste delicious if they actually have a location near you.

UPDATES!

Chick-Fil-A. Bring your "I voted" sticker to one of hundreds of Chick-Fil-A restaurants participating in this promotion to snag a free chicken sandwich. Mmm. (Not all locations are participating, so you might want to call your local one first to check it out.)

Shane's Rib Shack. The chain (mostly located in the Southeast) is offering free "Vote America" meals to voters, which include chicken tenders, fries and a 20 oz. soda. (Thanks to WBB reader Kelly for the tip!)

Wilco download. No sticker required. Just pledge to vote and download "I Shall Be Released," written by Bob Dylan and featuring Fleet Foxes. (Thanks, Greg!)

Hey, Cincinnati readers, a local discount! It's not free, but it's good enough. Shake It Records in Northside is offering 10 percent off if you sport your voting sticker. (Thanks to Stef in the comments for giving us the heads up!)



Know of any more? Let us know in the comments!

Hey Russia, buy me a battleground state ad!

Have you seen the nutty rumors about the McCain campaign asking for money from Russia to fund TV adds? And Russia declined, making a point to mock the campaign for asking for money after being critical of the country's handling of the Georgia situation? 

It all seems really strange, and I'm not seeing much mainstream media coverage of this. Here's a breakdown from Politico. They say they're verifying it, and if this is true, I don't understand why more people aren't picking up on it.

The 112 comments on this post as of 9 p.m. on Monday are pretty entertaining.

The Important Question

Wondering when someone is finally going to ask the candidates..."What's on your DVR?"

Foreclosing on the vote

Don't know if you've heard about the Michigan GOP's attempt to disenfranchise voters in Macomb County who are on a foreclosure list, but it makes me certain that any party that would fight to eliminate voters -- their rights, their duty as American citizens -- will never, ever receive my vote. Period.

In fact, every day, as I hear more lies, exaggeration, tired arguments, and evil attack ads, I think -- what will I do if this party wins the presidency again? I seriously don't know. This situation boggles my mind.

I've been pondering a move to Canada -- I joke, but only slightly, because Jon and I have discussed migrating to Vancouver before. We've discussed it, not to escape the jacked politics or financial turmoil here, but because it seems like a cool place in proximity to lots of biking, hiking and skiing. But now, the fact that it's not here in the United States is becoming more and more appealing.

Besides, if I move to Vancouver, LUSH beauty products will be a local product, and I don't have to feel guilty about loving them deeply because they'll only be shipped across town and not across the country. Remember -- I have that pesky commitment to reducing my carbon footprint. Local products always win.

Annnnnnnnyyyyyyywaaaaaaaaay, I digress. This tactic is wrong, designed to specifically target African-American voters who traditionally vote democrat.

This campaign season has gotten so ugly that learning the words to "Oh Canada" doesn't seem like a bad idea. A girl has to practice the potential new country's anthem to see if it's a fit.

What I love about Sarah Palin

You guys are probably flipping out by the headline right now, aren't you? Don't fret. What I want to say is that I love how people are digging up every last bit of dirt on the GOP VP nominee because she's so unknown. She doesn't have the benefit of having some of her past indiscretions being "old news". So, after the jump, you'll find a round up of some of my favorite facts -- non-facts -- and blog posts that have come up about good ol' Sarah Palin in the last couple days.

1. Sarah attended four colleges in six years, in Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii.
2. Oprah wants nothing to do with her until AFTER the election. Go Oprah!
3. Palin is being investigated in Alaska for an improper firing -- booting the public safety commissioner because he wouldn't fire her sister's ex-husband.
4. I saw a tweet that referred to Sarah Palin as a VPILF.
5. This article from slate is a great summary of why Sarah Palin is a big government hypocrite -- and why maybe I should consider a move to Alaska.
6. Snopes is even in on the action, verifying a letter from a resident of her hometown.
7. Apparently Todd Palin's business partner has filed an emergency application to have his divorce sealed. Hmmmm. Suspicious, maybe?
8. Here's a really interesting blog post about how Sarah Palin's right to deliver her child when and where she wanted to comes from the same rights that make abortion legal.
9. Great commentary from Jezebel on why so many normal women have such an immediate and terrible reaction to Sarah Palin.
10. And here's a great piece from one of my favorite Cincinnati-based bloggers, Amy in Ohio.

I'm not going to go into any of the Bristol's pregnancy, is Trig really Sarah's child, or any other conspiracy related to Sarah Palin's children. That's just too tacky. I'm pretty tired of seeing that sort of coverage, in part, because it makes a terrible choice for vice president somewhat sympathetic. And, a women who takes her designation as Sarah Barracuda so seriously (see #6), doesn't need any sympathy.

Man, Mitt Romney would have been so much more fun of a choice. I would have had three posts making fun of his hair done by now.

You can say that again!

This is from Washington Whispers on the US News & World Report site. Yeah, we at WBB agree with whomever created these posters.

Doesn't his hair look perfect? Clearly, the right choice.

Hot or Not? Um, generally, not

Even when I lived in DC, I found The Hill newspaper's annual Hottest People on Capitol Hill section ridiculous -- yet, I think I've read about 4 years worth of them at this point. Not because I seek them out, mind you -- but, it's because I love, love, love the annual mocking from Wonkette on the topic.

A little slice of joy.

The Feast of Saint Bastard (Happy Corruption Day!)

As Eddie Izzard once said: "What have you been reading, the Gospel According to Saint Bastard?"

That's what I would say to the glut of politicians being investigated, indicted or sentenced today for corruption. More on the patron saints of bastardom, after the jump.

Our all-star line-up of criminal politicians kicks off with a Republican Senator from Alaska:

Saint Ted: Patron Saint of Unseemly Renovations -- Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in Senate history, has been indicted on SEVEN, count them, SEVEN felony charges related to accepting illegal gifts for renovations on his home in Anchorage. I guess once you've been in the Senate for 40 years, you start to get a little too comfortable and think you're under the radar. Not so much. Of course, Saint Ted has claimed his innocence, but much like Joan of Arc, he'll probably be burned at the stake -- in that metaphorical political career ending way.




Saint Sharpe: Patron Saint of Adulterous Real Estate -- Sharpe James, the former Mayor of Newark and politician with the best name I've heard in a long time, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for selling city land to his mistress at a "special rate"... Ahem. I'm sure the treatment he's been getting at home since this came out from his wife of 44 years is as bad as the treatment he'll get in prison.

The Promised Land for Corrupt Saints: Cleveland -- We haven't found out who the patron saint of Cleveland is yet. But based on the fact that nearly every public building was raided by the Feds on Monday as part of a public corruption probe, I bet we've got a couple warriors of St. Bastard soon to be named. This is something to keep an eye on, for sure.

So, that's it for the Patron Saints of Corruption on this Feast of Saint Bastard. Until next year, soldier on corrupt keepers of the public good, soldier on.

On Mitt

With the VP selection process heating up, and many signs pointing our favorite perfectly coiffed Mormon for the Republican nomination -- I thought I'd share a great synopsis of my feelings for the dear ol' varMitt:

From Matthew Yglesias with The Atlantic:

He wound up losing because, basically, people find him loathesome. Some find him loathesome because of his religion, some because of his flip-flopping, and others just because he's loathesome. But whatever the reason, people just really don't like Mitt Romney. Putting him on the ticket seems like an obvious recipe for disaster, but a potential boon to progressive bloggers who are really in need of a mockable choice.

So, please, John McCain -- pick Mitt Romney -- for the sake of my blogging mojo!

Oh, Laura....

This one's for you.

Veep Veep!

The possible VP nominee guessing game is a fun one for sure. While I'm still hoping that the GOP will choose Mitt Romney so that WBB may reclaim some of its past political blogging glory, I'm salivating at all the bad puns that would come from a Tim Pawlenty nomination.

I admittedly know nothing about the Governor of Minnesota. However, I long to see cheesy campaign bumper stickers that say "Welcome to the land of Pawlenty" and other obnoxious variations. So in the absence of Mitt, I'm pro Pawlenty.

You want Straight Talk?

Ok, I'll give you straight talk.

John McCain: Your strange attempt to be young and hip by having a "Cribs-style" tour of the Straight Talk Express Bus is just bizarre and embarrassing. I would put it in the same category as the British trying to frame prehistoric Stonehenge as "rural chic" -- but of course the British aren't stupid enough to do something like that. They accept old things. Earth to McCain Campaign: Come to grips with the fact that you're old. Please.

And besides, if you're going to give us a tour of something, give us tour of Cindy's corporate jet, otherwise know as the Campaign Finance Reform Loophole Express.

Damn you Mitt Romney and your failing campaign!

Google has spoken.

Therefore, the world has spoken.

It's a sign.

End of an era

A fine politician passed away this week. Junior Cochran of Rabbit Hash died two days shy of his birthday -- his 13th birthday. You see, the folks in Rabbit Hash, knowing that politics is for the dogs anyway, elected a black Labrador retriever to the town's highest post. As the Enquirer reported in a lovely obit for the renowned goodwill ambassador, whoever follows in his foot steps has big paw prints to fill.

Just google the little guy. He was a bonafide celebrity.

EVOO is some kind of terrorist code

Ok, so have you heard about the recent right-wing faux controversy featuring America's sweetheart and a third-rate Food Network "chef" gone talk show host? Yeah, our beloved Dunkin' Donuts has been tainted by that undercover terrorist Rachel Ray. Just ask Michelle Malkin, who wrote about this highly important issue.

See, Rachel Ray's stylist has style. And, she found this crazy cute white scarf with a paisley pattern for Rachel to use in her latest Dunkin' Donuts commercial. Random Aside: I heard that Rachel doesn't even like Dunkin' Donuts coffee and she's a total diva on the commercial set.

Anyway, apparently that cute white scarf looked a lot like a keffiyeh. Now, according to Internet source of power, Wikipedia, a keffiyeh is defined as a traditional Arab headdress, and the white and black variety is considered a symbol of Palestinian nationalism. Ok, so what? But if you're like Michelle Malkin and her cronies, it's "jihadi chic" and "hate couture".

Poor Dunkin' Donuts ended up pulling their ad to satisfy the .0005 percent of people offended by the fashion choice who probably don't appreciate the glory of their product anyway. What a waste of money -- even though less Rachel Ray on the airwaves isn't exactly a bad thing. That's a personal preference though.

But, have faith in America people. Even Michelle Malkin's followers thought this faux controversy was retarded. Just read the comments, and go buy a bear claw or something.

McCain is interviewing potential running mates, and good ol' Mitt is on the list. Let's cross our fingers that he gets the gig. It's just what I need to get my blogging groove back.

How I've missed his perfect hair, lame attempts at hanging with the kids, and general mediocrity.

McCain - Romney, please!

Commentary of Note

I received this in an email from a friend, and I thought it was worth passing along verbatim, since I couldn't have said it better myself:

This might be my favorite quote ever, and not in a good way:

But Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, "rejected the notion of a dramatic break with Bush.

"'I don't see it particularly as an advantage to be in a debate with our president,' he said. 'It's not for me to second-guess the president of the United States.'"

Um, actually, part of your job description IS to second guess the president. I'm not going to argue if he decides to continue on this path, since it will only help the Dems, but it's still highly disturbing.

Decisions, Decisions

A while back, people were giving me a hard time because I hadn't chosen between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination. I've had a little bit more time than most to make a decision because the Kentucky primary isn't until next week. So, I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and surprisingly, I've actually come to my final decision based on things that have happened on the campaign trail during the last few weeks.

Considering the experience we've had over the last 8 years with dear ol' Bushie, there are certain things I've come to demand from a president:

1. The ability to know when it's time to devise and exit strategy; and,
   
2. The ability to manage and balance a budget

So, I'm voting for Barack Obama.

I was seriously leaning Hillary for a long time, and thought on many occasions that I'd go ahead and write my "endorsement post" for her. But then she proposed that Gas Tax holiday and I got confused... and it was all down hill from there. Nothing adds up anymore.

And for the record, I only speak for one half of the WBB team.