Thursday, October 4, 2012

Presidential Debate: Round 1


Both sides lowered expectations and as a result, no one really came off disappointing, but I have to admit, I was a little dismayed about the President's performance.  He seemed, tired and at times a little frayed.  I guess, if I had to sum it up, he appeared to be there as an obligation, not because he wanted to be there.  I suppose, after the last four years, I probably wouldnt want more of the same, either.

Romney, on the other hand, brought his A game.  He was alert, he was charismatic, with a wink and a nod, I could really believe a vote for him would be OK.  He appeared confident, and inspired confidence in return.  As a leader, I could believe in him, and follow his banner.

At least, until I start questioning where he is asking me to go, and realize, I still don't have an answer.  When I put aside the shiny new image, and compare that to his track record, his past comments and stances, I am even less sure.  The man I saw debating the President simply didnt exist a year ago, a month ago, even a few days.

And then, I remember, I am seeing a VERY successful company man.  He is a figurehead, and his job is to pitch the corporate line to his target audience of stakeholders.  That pitch, changes, depending on what the company dictates.  He doesn't make decisions, he only sells the corporate boards direction to the rest of the company.

In that context, the change makes more sense.  Hes a dynamic speaker, but his message will always be to garner support, and not really carry his own message.  Hes offering selling points, but the one thing missing in the debate was anything resembling a concrete plan.

And frankly, Im not surprised.  I dont see how his numbers work.  I need more than a smile and a wink to believe Romney.  I have a hard time believing that corporate entities will really cover folks with pre existing conditions out of the goodness of their hearts.. because its bad business.  Romney knows that.  He also knows, that his proposal is that of the current law.. where yes, you have to be covered, as long as you haven't gone over 90 days without coverage.. then.. well.. you are either SOL or you get hit with rates you cant afford.. so No, I don't believe his line.

The more I go over what was said, and more importantly, what wasn't, I realize, I have the same experience as going onto a used car lot.  Gloss over the bad parts, tell me what I want to hear, and by the way, I REALLY should consider getting the undercoating.

I dont need to feel good.  This country doesn't need a nice warm handshake.  We are smarter than that, even if Romney doesn't think we are.  We need solutions, and a real plan.  We need elected officials who are willing to make a plan happen, and not play partisan politics, who's primary objective is to oppose one man.

That said, the President needs to really appear that he is at the helm.  He is, by nature, quiet, someone who plots, and thinks.  I think, its possible, a lot of the debate was to intentionally let Romney take enough rope to hang himself with.  Perhaps he just played it cool because there were so many ways to be damaged on this topic.  Still, his performance bordered on apathy.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Wasteland Weekend: The end of the world... temporarily




Out past the lazily spinning windfarms and what was to be the nation’s first spaceport in the Mojave high desert, Armageddon has come and gone. The survivors gather, for protection, pooling resources and erecting a fortress of rusted metal and derelict tires. Drawn by an unseen call, more survivors emerge from the dust. They arrive in vehicles, hastily modified with battering rams and makeshift weaponry. They are covered in dust, wearing a hodgepodge of items that offer protection from the elements and more hostile factors, often times appearing fearsome yet strikingly beautiful in their own right. Soon a city of tents and rust has grown around the fortress, and music can be heard from within the walls, and the survivors bustle around, actively bartering under the new terms of survival. For these souls haven’t found a bleak end at the sunset of civilization but rather, have found solace, in the Wasteland.

Wasteland Weekend


Wasteland Weekend ( http://www.wastelandweekend.com ) is in its 3rd year of its most recent incarnation, and is a post apocalyptic themed annual desert gathering. The event offers music, an open bar, sporting events, fashion shows, and stunning visuals (all with an end of the world feel). Something like going to a rock concert, a renaissance fair, and a Mad Max movie at the same time, it offers a 4 day retreat, where you can get to know your inner anarchist.

Going through the rusted main gates, manned by fearsome, mohawked guardians, one quickly can forget an outside world exists, and you are quickly immersed in stunning costumes. The Atomic CafĂ©, made of discarded car parts, serves as the town bar and is a stunning piece of art in its own right. Various bartering posts offer a variety of goods for trade, as currency is generally met with suspicious glare. It’s clear, that many participants are certainly immersed in the bleak storyline of their own creation.

This isn’t Burning Man

One thing heard was frustration that Wasteland Weekend didn’t feel like other desert events, and no wonder. The event makes no attempt to create a model for a utopian social experiment. Rather, it is unabashedly dystopian, and has no issues about being a bit in your face about it. There may be some shock when confronted with the gritty, survival themed participants, moreso if you are reluctant to participate in the theme yourself. Still, there is still a strong community of hard working people willing to help, if you can get past the spikes (offering bacon can be a wonderfully effective means of gaining support from the locals). The bartertown was particularly interesting, where one could trade a bag of trail mix up to a full set of armor if they were clever.

There is a official presence from the local police and fire department, who seemed more bemused at the event than anything. Commenting, that they routinely have trouble with offroaders, they were pleased with how well behaved the participants of Wasteland Weekend were. “Next year” vowed one “I wont be working this, I’ll be a participant!”