goddess of clarity: a blog about politics, culture, and serenity
Archive: March 1 - March 31, 2008
March 25, 2008 — 14:36 EDT
I celebrated the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq by staying up past 11 o'clock (which is now officially a late night in my house -- sadness) to watch Bush's War, PBS's exhaustive look at the run-up to war and the cock-up it has become. How did you mark the occasion?
Last night's first episode detailed the political infighting, conflicting intelligence estimates, and ideological grandstanding that helped to forge the Bush administration's desire and justification for war in Iraq in the days -- and even hours -- after September 11. Honestly, the whole process was so ridiculous and petty it started to sound like a particularly cringe-worthy episode of The Office. Take the most trivial bit of office politics at your workplace and multiply it by the fact that people are going to die and you pretty much have the Bush administration in 2002. One illustrative example: Condoleezza Rice has to sneak a staffer over to the Pentagon in his old military dress uniform so she can find out what the Defense Department's intelligence shop is planning to tell the President about Iraq. Nice.
As I watched, I tried to remember what I was thinking at the time and whether or not I realized what a wrong-headed disaster the whole think was shaping up to be. Sadly, I don't think I did. There were two moments that I do remember, and not proudly. Moment #1: In the first prime time press conference of Bush's presidency, about a month after the September 11th attacks, veteran correspondent Helen Thomas asks him if there is any truth to the rumor that the administration is preparing to invade Iraq. I remember thinking to myself at the time, "Oh Helen. You and your wacky conspiracy theories. We're not going to invade Iraq now. We're still fighting in Afghanistan. You cute little elderly troublemaker, you."
Me = idiot.
Moment #2: I'm listening to Colin Powell's famous speech to the United Nations, where he spelled out all the bad bad stuff the Iraqi regime was doing and why the world needed to take a stand against Saddam Hussein. I remember thinking to myself at the time, "Well, at least we're going through the U.N., to get a coalition behind us. And those guys in the intelligence agencies know so much more than we ordinary citizens can know about what's really going on when it comes to weapons of mass destruction. Besides, Colin Powell wouldn't support anything that didn't have a solid justification or a sound strategy behind it."
Me = huuuge idiot.
Happy anniversary.
—lori.
March 24, 2008 — 14:36 EDT
I don't have enough change for my afternoon Diet Coke, I haven't done my taxes yet, and I think I may have lost the lovely camera Mr. Goddess got me for Christmas.
Happy Monday!
In better news, I'm currently in second place in my NCAA basketball pool, on the strength of my Western Kentucky pick in the first round and my West Virginia pick in the second. If Belmont had managed to take care of Duke, I would have been miles in the lead!
And if you think I understand a word of the above, think again. While my picks aren't exactly random, there isn't much method to my March Madness.
—lori.
March 11, 2008 — 22:09 EST
Unflattering Politician Photo of the Week
(Men Behaving Badly Edition)
Wait, she was a call girl! I thought she was a girl on call. Like a nurse or something. That would have explained the uniform. You do believe me, right honey?
It's the old story: Governor attends conference in D.C. Governor sits in hotel room. Governor watches bad basic cable movie starring Steven Seagal. Governor gets bored. Governor decides he'd rather not masturbate again. Governor calls his super-exclusive "gentleman's club." Governor orders the usual: "an American, petite, very pretty brunette, 5 feet 5 inches, and 105 pounds." Governor's phonecalls recorded by federal investigators. Governor convenes hasty press conference.
—lori.
March 6, 2008 — 22:09 EST
Happy Birthday, Mr. Goddess!
I got him a radio-controlled Dalek. He is playing with it as I type. I don't think I've ever seen him happier.
—lori.
March 5, 2008 — 21:47 EST
I missed last night's high political drama, including the showdown at the Democratic corral in Texas, because I was at the Henry Rollins show here in Rochester. I've never seen Rollins live, only on DVD. He talks, rants, and occasionally screams for three hours straight. He brought a water bottle on to the stage and didn't touch it once.
I got home, after driving through yet another ice storm, just before midnight and just in time to catch yet another "comeback" speech from Hillary Clinton. This race is just beyond bizarre. In 2004, John Kerry sewed up the nomination on Super Tuesday. This year, it's like the Democratic voters are so fond of both candidates that just when they think they are in danger of losing one, they bring him or her back for an encore.
Luckily the Rollins gig was last night and not tonight, because while I don't mind missing an occasional night of exciting political news coverage, there is no way I'm missing this: the season finale of Project Runway!
(I know, I know. I've fallen behind on my PR recaps. Let me sum up the last few episodes for you: Chris was robbed!)
The Goddess Watches Project Runway
(so you don't have too)
10:03 -- Time for Tim's take on the final collections. Jillian's sheep sweater is hitting a discordant note. Rami's antique lace is a knockout. Christian is no longer cocky and confident. It's positively weird seeing Christian actually think someone else may be better than him at something.
10:06 -- It's the model casting and Christian needs edgy walkers and "tallness for days."
10:10 -- Jillian thinks one of her impossibly tall and freakishly thin models doesn't fit in with the other impossibly tall and freakishly thin models, and tries to recast her.
10:16 -- Jillian has decided to stop whining and embrace the diversity of her model lineup.
10:17 -- Oh, no. Tim wants them to gather round. One last surprise? No, just time for some words of wisdom and a group hug before the next day's runway show.
10:19 -- The gang arrive at Bryant Park. The tent is huge, the runway is huge, and Christian's girls are late.
10:22 -- Time for the runway show! And the guest judge is ... Posh Spice?
10:23 -- Jillian is out first. She is skinny and terrified. My take: Cute hats and scarves; Skirts are too short; Love the sweaters, even the sheepy one; The evening gown that turned out to be pants was very cool.
10:30 -- Rami's turn. I just noticed he's quite sexy when he smiles. My take: Shiny; Poofy; Lovely black and white dress. Cream colored lace gown at the end was literally breathtaking. I just said "Whoa."
10:34 -- Last is Christian. Quote of the night: "Everybody looks fierce!" My take: Amazing first outfit if you have perfect B-cup boobs; Way too much collar on just about everything; Hats are goofy; Feathers?
10:40 -- Commercial break. So -- who should win? I think Rami had the single most beautiful piece in that lace dress. In terms of the complete collection though, I'd vote for Jillian. But with professional fashion victim Posh on the panel, Christian may have the advantage.
10:43 -- The judges love Jillian's femininity, modernity, innovation, and surprise-factor. But it looked a little disjointed, and doesn't have an identifiable look. Surprise, surprise: Victoria Beckham looooves Christian's collection. "Rather than fierce I would say they you're major! It was sooo me." It was so stylish, so dramatic, so powerful. But there was too much black, and it got overworked and overly designed. As for Rami, his clothes are impeccably crafted and flattering, but Michael Kors didn't like "the Brady Bunch colors." His clothes are too cerebral, but he shines in eveningwear. It's really hard to tell where the judges are leaning.
10:55 -- "Only one of you can be the winner." Bummer, Jillian is out. Christian looks like he is already about to burst into tears. And now he officially *has* burst into tears. Christian is the winner! "Hello? Did you have a doubt? People need to see more of the fierceness."
—lori.
