Ask Me

[packbat]

From happydog:

Because we never really know each other as well as we think, in response to this post I'd like you to ask a question. Anything about which you are curious, anything you feel you ought to know about me. Silly, serious, personal, fannish. Ask away. Then, if you want, copy this to your own journal, and see what people don't know about you.

Comments

[alchemi.livejournal.com]

What are your thoughts on each of the contending Presidential candidates?

[peri-renna.livejournal.com]

Half a sec while I switch hats ...

*clicks "Livejournal user: [other]" link*

...okay, let's go.

As yet, I have not performed the research I believe is required before stating a definitive opinion. However, from what I have picked up from newspapers, blogs, and conversation, I have formed the following impressions of the leading candidates:

Democratic Party

Hillary Clinton: Intelligent, experienced, and reasonable. Possibly a dirty campaigner - if this reflects her governing style, this could be very bad. Would probably be a good President, but is, unfortunately (and, as far as I can see, unfairly), hated by large numbers of people. And I don't mean "I dislike her foreign policy stance", I mean "hi, I'm a thirteen-year-old, and I'm a better candidate than Hillary" or "I'm a Democrat, but I'd vote Republican before I'd vote Hillary". Or, well, that (http://mithras.blogs.com/blog/oliphant-january-10-2008.html). It's very bewildering.

John Edwards: Something of an unknown factor, fared quite badly in the vice-presidential debate of 2004, and was publicly a jerk (http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/009800.html#009800) when Hillary had her moment of ... what, exactly? (http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2008/01/hide-nukes.html) (Contrast also with "that", above.) He might become a good President, I like the summaries of his issue stances I've seen, but I'm not impressed by the guy.

Barack Obama: Has really good quoted policies. Was right about Iraq at a time when half the Democratic Senators weren't. Has high chances of winning. In fact, every time I hear about him I'm really impressed - it's kinda freaking me out, actually. ;) Definitely worth a good look.

Republican Party

Rudy Giuliani: Nutball (http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/009537.html).

Mike Huckabee: Surprisingly sincere, but (1) he is a creepy Christian (http://slacktivist.typepad.com/slacktivist/2008/01/king-and-huck.html) (although not, at least to me, a creepy unChristian (http://www.unchristian.com/) - he does think the government should help the poor and be a good steward towards the earth, for example), and (2) he acted very suspiciously regarding prisoners in his state as governor (http://www.mahablog.com/2008/01/11/frankie-parker-a-tale-of-two-prisoners/). On the good side, next to the environmentalism and take-care-of-the-poor things, he actually seems to oppose torture, which (depressingly enough) is a nice change from some of the other guys.

John McCain: Undercover nutball (http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/008288.html). Also opposes torture.

Ron Paul: Nutball (http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=e2f15397-a3c7-4720-ac15-4532a7da84ca). The third of the three Republican candidates who oppose torture.

Mitt Romney: "Double Guantanamo". A caricature of a Republican candidate (http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/01/romneys-idiot-s.html). May actually be a decent candidate under all the electioneering - haven't looked at his record.

Fred Thompson: Don't know much about him. May be an intelligent human being (http://zhurnaly.com/cgi-bin/wiki/HollywoodAndWashington). Refuses to repudiate torture (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/03/us/politics/03torture.html).

[peri-renna.livejournal.com]

Wait a sec - I forgot about the habeas corpus thing! (http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2007/04/say_what.html) Add that to the rap sheets for Giuliani and Romney.

D-mn, but this election is driving me to new depths of despair.

[happydog.livejournal.com]

Mustache! what is your opinion? (a) necessary accoutrement for manliness, (b)"OK I guess," or (c) pretentious and unclean soup strainer?

[packbat.livejournal.com]

Like every element of personal style, there are no hard-and-fast guidelines on moustaches (which, for unknown reasons, I habitually spell with an "o"). Generally speaking, however, I would say:

• Beards require them,
  
• Dark hair coloration is preferred (sorry, Chuck Norris, it's true), although going gray/white is not a problem,
  
• High density is better than low density, and
  
• Cleanshaven or entirely untrimmed are often safe choices.

(I'm actually aiming for the last right now.)

[hallan.livejournal.com]

Ticking clocks or soundless clocks, which do you prefer?

Hallan

[packbat.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm unaccustomed at the moment to sleeping with a ticking clock, but I believe I've handled it in the past - I have no particular feelings otherwise.

[hallan.livejournal.com]

Personally, I find ticking clocks relaxing.

Hallan

[packbat.livejournal.com]

I can see it. :)