I Am On Board The Love Train, and No Longer an Asshat
Hillary, Dijamo, I owe you both an apology. Okay, I owe many people an apology, but you're the only two names I can think of right now.
See, earlier this year, and all of last year, I spent all of my free time cursing at and shouting about Hillary Clinton and her run for the Presidency. When I first started blogging here, I had some incredibly bad moments during my run-ins with Dijamo and other Hillary supporters. I was quoted as being "rabidly" against Hillary.
But Hillary, like Dijamo, has grown on me this past summer. I had the opportunity to meet Dijamo at an Obama party in Brooklyn in July. I expected to butt heads with her. I was pleased as punch, instead, to find myself really enjoying her quiet company up on the roof as we escaped the heat of the DUMBO loft apartment down below us where the party was taking place. Dijamo was a class act, and never once held my previous, opinionated arguments against me. We simply agreed to disagree and in the process found we actually could get along very well. We are both on the same side politically, after all.
Hillary proved herself to be a class act too. And, like Dijamo and I, I'm sure she and Barack have their differences of opinion now and then....but, like us, they are both on the same side politically, too.
I'm looking forward to Barack and Hillary having the same great conversations and camaraderie in the future that Dijamo and I have now.
I'm on board the love train, and am no longer an asshat.
{{{{Grope hug, Dija!!}}}} <--- Inside joke
Bless you, Liz.
(As God is my witness, I'm sure you are forgiven!)
December 3, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, TheraP.
December 3, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lis, you are such a sweetie. No apology necessary - you were never an asshat. Just passionate about your candidate as I was about mine. Or more accurately we're all asshats at one point or another, and we just work it out. One big happy party - none bigger than the one we'll be having on January 20th :)
But I do recall some harsh Hill & Bill tawk. As a recovering Catholic, I prescribe two Hail Hillarys and a Grope Hug as your penance.
xoxo Dijamo
December 3, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amusing that one heretic Catholic exercised the priestly blessing (of forgiveness). And the recovering one gives her the penance!
TPM - your one stop for spiritual shopping!
December 3, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Only two Hail Hillary's?? Doesn't seem like enough penance, to me...maybe that's just my agnostic guilt, though.
xoxo Lis
December 3, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the "Grope Hug" is the clincher - I expect a few to come home wearing ass hats but happy.
December 3, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey! Lis gets kisses and all I get is "I still don't trust you"?????
;)
December 3, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
See, you have to start own blog. And we'll move over! ;)
December 3, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh you get x's and o's too Tena, but substantially more Hail Hillarys :) Actually never mind the Hail Hillarys... just keep apologizing to the American people for W. being from Texas.
December 3, 2008 8:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's not from Texas.
*sigh*
He's a goddamned carpet bagger from Connecticut.
December 4, 2008 8:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
This train don't carry no asshats, this train;
This train don't carry no asshats, this train;
This train don't carry no asshats,
It just got some really high class acts,
This train is bound for glory, this train.
December 3, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
(to the tune of Wild Thing)
Asshat, you make my brain fat,
Oh,
You make a every chat, snooty
Asshat
December 3, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Donnie, great skills ya got there. Are you trying to be Weird Asshat Yankovich?
(couldn't resist)...
December 3, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Men spending most their life, living in a asshat paradise, ... '
December 3, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
an
December 3, 2008 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not only is this chicken opinionated, but it's very good at correcting grammatical errors.
I will never eat Cordon Bleu or Kiev again...
I swears it.
December 3, 2008 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
She should write a book: Bwak Like Me.
December 3, 2008 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG, Donnie, you've just won comment of the night.
Now, get me my jelly roll song somehow, now that I've fooked up the nice password you set me up with....
December 3, 2008 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Clinton bashing is one of the reasons I didn't join this site until a few months ago, and it's one of the reasons I'm hardly posting now.
It's nice to see that at least one of the bashers has come around.
December 3, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Try and give us lots of second chances. If I ever offended you, I personally apologize.
December 3, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
A heretic Catholic, a recovering Catholic, and an agnostic recovering Republican walk into a bar...
December 3, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could we make that a bar in Seville, Spain?
December 3, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I came around as well. But as Dan K reminded me yesterday, there's bashing, and then there's honest to goodness difference of opinion based on informed thought. I'm mystified by the hysterical opposition to Hillary at State, but I'm trying to better understand the rational opposition. In the end, I think it's all gonna be fine.
December 3, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Same here, Orlando, same here.
December 3, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup, I can deal with the rational differences of opinion. I love a good, well-informed debate. It's the hysteria that drives me nuts.
December 3, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen, sister!
December 3, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is there an Asshat Society? You know, like the Red Hat Society or something like that? I'm sure I would meet the requirements for eligibility if there was. I'm sure many of us here would.
Love ya Lis!
December 3, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love you too, Astral!! And, hey, maybe we can form an Asshat Society right here and now!
December 3, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would say that all is required for membership is an invitation, proffered as a response to a particular display of asshattery:
"Welcome to the Asshat Society!"
December 3, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
It might be more fun if there was an actual blog devoted to that. You could set up a thread!
December 3, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know that I want to have "Founder of the Asshat Society" on my resume. Can't someone else be King or Queen of the Asshats?
:-)
December 3, 2008 2:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see your point.
December 3, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
A hat would cover it quite well....
December 3, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
The local newspaper frequently has pics of some meeting or other of a "Red Hat Society" meeting, made readily apparent for the participants' choice of chapeau.
I anxiously await photos from the "Asshat Society Meeting."
December 3, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
AssHat software for Linux!
December 3, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is that what you encourage certain folks to try using who can't play nicely on the playground with the rest of us?
December 3, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, that or Windows XPat.
December 3, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh that's good too!
December 3, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your situation happens every day - getting along well with those you have opposed on certain issues- and it has happened to everyone. Knowing this, it boggles me when the media acts as if the new Obama and Clinton reconciliation is so unfathomable. I couldn't stand Hillary either but when the primaries were over and it was time for some teamwork, the ice gradually melted. By the time it was "leaked" that Hillary could be SoS I was actually excited.
December 3, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I never used to think of Hillary as gracious, but I'd always been prejudiced. I'd always known she was brilliant, extremely wonkish, and I grudgingly acknowledged alongside my Right-Leaning Independent sister that she has done some great things for SCHIP in New York, but now that I look back on some of her words and actions over the years, I can see why she was chosen for SoS.
At first I really wanted Richardson in that position, and thought Hillary would be better-suited to a specialized role in healthcare or family issues, but over the past week I've greatly warmed up to the SoS nomination to the point where, like you, I'm excited about it.
December 3, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, I know I'm going to live to regret asking this, but I checked the urban dictionary 1st (to protect myself from public humiliation) to no avail...please define "asshat."
December 3, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a funny word, one I think meant as an alternative to "a-hole", but also suggesting having one's head up their rear. That's my definition anyway. Not sure when it came into use, but it cracks me up every time I see it. (ha! I made a bad pun)
December 3, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent and accurate description Astral :) It's also translatable into foreign langauages:
Ass chapeau
Culo sombrero
Zadek klobouk
December 3, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha!
December 3, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think of it as meaning someone who tries to hide/cover up the fact that they are an ass, as in using lots of fancy terminology to disguise a moronic statement. I know this is skewed, but I was trying to think of something besides the obvious head up the arse, so I went the lipstick/pig route. "You can put a hat on an ass, but it's still an ass!"
December 3, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is one variation on the term that I also enjoy seeing: "asshattery", which is a variation on "jackassery".
December 3, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
We could have Asshats Anonymous, if you set up the thread. That would be distinguished from Asshats who refuse to reform!
I'd definitely join up. We've all done our share of nonsensical comments we now regret - maybe I'm stretching the definition here. But I foresee that if you join up ahead of time, when the asshattery arrives, you'll get a bit of pass.
Either that or I'll open the Saloon of long memory, and we could have occasional AA meetings (Asshats Annonymous) - that should fool the public!
I wonder if some of the folks that have come out and publicly apologized for this or that should be made honorary members of the Board of Directors.
December 3, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
By your definition, a certain blowhard A-Hat who posts daily in the Cafe would not be eligible for AA (as he refuses to reform). But I would welcome him if he did! Until then, I think I will refer to him as Captain A-Hat (always in a fever in pursuit of Moby Obama).
December 3, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Outstanding!
December 3, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
A worthy title, fer sure.
December 3, 2008 8:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.asshat.com/
December 3, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent work!
Wow, they even have t-shirts for sale.
December 3, 2008 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Asshats, get yer asshats here! Beret style for beatnik bums, porkpies for yer poopers, cowboy brims for cabooses, get yer asshats here!
December 3, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I find Asshat and Asshelmet to be a useful twinning.
December 3, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Asshelmet - isn't that the Babylonian god of the underclothes?
December 3, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did they wear underclothes in Babylon?
December 3, 2008 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not forgiving anybody til I get my hat and my watch back and that's that.
December 3, 2008 7:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
How much for the watch?
December 3, 2008 7:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
About that... we're holding it as collateral until all the campaign debt is resolved. :)
December 3, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
That watch has much sentimental value but not $10 million dollars worth or whatever Hillary's still in hock to her venders for. I'd be happy to write up a plaintive fundraising email about Hillary holding my watch hostage until all the stingy Obama supporters throw $50 her way if it'd help. All I want is my watch and hat back. And maybe an ambassadorship in a nice country with a healthy economy, good food and a liking for Americans for my trouble. Is that too much to ask?
December 5, 2008 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now wait a minute, markie dear....I never stole your watch.
December 3, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know Lis but you did take the hat and now it's winter. They say you lose 90% of your body warmth from the top of your head so I need my hat back. If I catch cold and die who will feed my cat?
December 5, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me, too.
AND rabidly anti-Obama. Rabidly anti-democrat. Anti-everything.
I was just a run-of-the-mill chicken the whole time. I did have the foresight to take up an asshat franchise, though. Got yer asshats RIGHT here. So far it's not been good for much 'cept chicken-feed.
=D
December 3, 2008 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
A "run-of-the-mill" chicken??? I think not, dearest. Most chickens I know only say "BWAK", and you say so much more. Not that I mind...
;-)
I like an opinionated chicken. However, it does make enjoying cordon bleu so much more difficult these days.
December 3, 2008 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
awwwwwwwwww
December 3, 2008 9:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
{{{POULTRY HUG}}}
December 3, 2008 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
As I'm watching Hillary and Obama, I see a lot of love there. Hillary looks like she admires him and just wants to hug him. He looks at her like a sweetheart of a sister, one that he looks after and respects.
I think they share a sense of humor about much in this game of politics and have risen above the petty as a matter of course. They are, after all, grown-ups with law degrees and years of involvement in politics.
And they know as well as we know, that this country is in deep trouble and needs all hands on deck and ready to roll.
I don't expect them to disappoint. They will impress even their detractors...and we'll help advance proper programs.
The opposition may cry out loud for attention to their distractions, but we will be out front running and not inclined to listen to them any more.
Reality is making a comeback and GOP obstructionism will be self-defeating.
December 3, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good points. It's interesting to note that all of the Dem candidates from this year's election cycle all really seem to get along, are on the same page, and form a very united front.
The Republicans this year? Well....not so much.
But, meh...they tried. I suppose.
December 3, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Geezie pete, Lis, you think you had some harsh run-ins with Dija during the primaries?
But she said before Hillary left that she'd jump on the O-Train wholeheartedly if he got the nomination, and by God, she did. I still doubt that I could have done that as gracefully and ungrudgingly as she did if it had gone the other way.
I *ahem* may have published one or two bare knuckled comments about Hillary here during the primaries. I will not pretend that I'm not delighted that things turned out exactly as they did. And I won't say I think she would have been as good a President as I think Obama will be. However, once she'd fully processed her very human sense of loss and disappointment, she was nothing but a class act. Her conduct at and after the convention made me feel more warmly toward her than, really, I ever had before. Her pitch-perfect speech at the convention, and in particular, that magnificently conceived and executed bit of political theatre during the roll call when New Mexico yielded to Illinois, Illinois yielded to New York and then Hillary moved to end the roll call and nominate Barack by acclamation totally won me over. Like Dija.
But, having said all of that, I have to say I'm confused. Was my surmise that "asshat" was a synonym for "cable news personality" incorrect?
December 3, 2008 10:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I fell in love with Hillary the night of the convention too, luv. That right there was the clincher.
Asshat is a name I learned from my former nemesis, Dijamo. It's a term I hear her use quite frequently, although -- luckily for me -- she doesn't use it when referring to me (anymore, heh heh).
You will have to go to the source.
December 3, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aw, you're all getting soft.
PILLAGE, PLUNDER, TROLL, FLAME!
(Just kidding, pace Pirate Peet.)
December 3, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I miss that plundering pirate meself, sometimes.
December 3, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was on that roof, and if I can recall correctly, LisB and dijamo were engaged in a heated wrestling match, with each of them shouting really mean and awful things about their respective candidates. It took a reasonable person like me to break them up, but only after I had sustained massive injuries from which I have not recovered. Don't believe the love train meme. It's a ruse for recommendations and stuff.
December 3, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brat
December 3, 2008 10:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought Henry Fonda had passed away....yet here he is, in plain sight, telling lies on my blog post. Wassup with that?
And, oh, hey, look....he even has the chicken saying something new and different.
My recollection of the evening is that when I met bslev, he looked nothing like Fonda, and everything like a gentleman. But, wtf do I know? It was a hot night....
December 3, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Henry can be erratic.
December 4, 2008 7:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Compared to Joad, he's a pussycat.
December 4, 2008 7:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hmm, as I recall it was Bruce and the bslev family roaming around the party starting fisticuffs. I keep telling people don't mess with union lawyers. :)
December 4, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've gotta tell you...there are not words to describe how much I love this place! You guys crack me up!
December 3, 2008 11:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
We luvz you too, still.
And no, there are no words to describe the community these days. Mayhap it's the headiness of these happy, impregnated days. We're all full of hope and bursting with ideals and feeling mighty justified.
But, as the Man himself has said, it's gonna take work.
Let's all work together to make this work, shall we?
Love to you all, you all have my heart and hopes in your hands....and then some.
December 3, 2008 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
LisB, opinionated,informed,passionate,motivated,Yes. Asshat, No Way! No need to ever apologize for having mind and a mouth (or keyboard) and knowing how to use them. Hillary, just like Obama, has both positive and negative aspects to her, and it's our Job As Citizens to debate these qualities while making such an important choice. We are on the same team, but that doesn't mean we have to walk blindly in lockstep with the status quo. Otherwise, we'd be neoCons. Much Respect Always.......
December 4, 2008 12:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good point. I have always walked my own walk since becoming a liberal, so I don't think I have to worry about the goose-step....but then again, I could so easily fall prey to the liberal duck-walk instead. From here on out, my mind is my own, and so is my step.
Now if I could just learn to walk, chew gum, and write a good poem without popping that bubblegum bubble on my nose whilst nursing a hurt pinkie toe, all will be well.
Thanks for the good advice.
December 4, 2008 2:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
you say ass hat like it's a bad thing:
Mr. Garrison: Stanley, you come up here right now and read your note!
Stan: "Dear Kyle, you have got such a great ass. I could sleep for days on those pert cheeks let me tell you. I'd like to live with you and wear your ass as a hat for all eternity." Whoa, dude!
December 4, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great Ceiling Cat! It's getting like walking into a bar full of kids on E in here. Are you sure you guys are Democrats?
December 4, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Weird isn't it? This thread needs someone to represent for the Rahm Emanuel wing of the party, so from me to you:
,,!,,
:)
December 4, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink