This Election Drove Me Insane
- By Alan Cerny
- Published 03/5/2008
Alan Cerny
Alan "Nordling" Cerny has lived in Texas all his life, but don't hold it against him. The local sheep have that covered. He's written film reviews for Ain't It Cool News and Steven Spielberg once wrote him a letter saying he was a "very good writer," but this is the guy who thought it was a good idea to make Tom Cruise's kid alive at the end of WAR OF THE WORLDS when he should have been worm food, so take that as you will. "Nordling" was the name of Alan's favorite D&D character growing up, but he died violently, and Alan just can't seem to let go.
Sorry I haven't blogged for the past couple of weeks. More Spielberg reviews on the way, I promise. I've been very busy,
If you know anything about me personally, you'd know that I'm a little more involved with politics than the average bear. That's because I work for a Justice of the Peace here in Harris County, and he's elected every presidential cycle. It makes for some interesting stories because I take time off to work the polls for him and push his cards all over Houston.
I worked at what was considered the busiest early voting precinct in all of Texas, the West Gray Multiservice Center, and I saw some strange stuff. The AARP was pimping bi-partisanship with this tiny little girl (with that lower back tattoo) in this giant blow-up half-mutant purple donkey elephant that walked around the parking lot. At one point, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo trail ride came by with about 30 people on horseback. I didn't meet any of the presidential candidates, sadly, but I heard stories of people almost literally running into them on the campaign trail. Houston hasn't been this interesting politically since Lyndon Johnson.
Yesterday, I electioneered at a church, and one of the people there pushing cards was the head of the Houston Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Political Caucus. That's a mouthful. Yeah, I went there. Anyway, she was the president, and surprisingly the GLBT Caucus has some serious political pull in Houston. We have probably the largest gay community in the South. It was a tie vote for the presidency endorsement, and she was the deciding vote. They went for Obama. A very nice lady too. It's too bad people have to take transgenders at face value the way they do; she is a successful contractor in town who helps people get the right permits for any buildings done in town and from what I understand she makes quite a bit of money doing what she does. She also executively produced a western TV show that has yet to air (the premise is basically BLAZING SADDLES taken seriously, but I liked the concept a lot).
I saw two older women for Hillary practically threaten about five big Obama guys to fistfights. Those Clinton people out there were ANGRY, let me tell you. I got along much better with the Obama people, who seemed to have a sense of optimism that was contagious. I tried to explain my rationalization for voting for Obama to the Clinton-women but they had none of it. It's hard to explain, but when two candidates are so similar in policy to each other, you do go with the one that engages you more. And Obama has something that makes me as an American to get more involved. My apathy is at an all time low right now and I have Barack Obama to thank for that.
I met a lot of people this week and shook a lot of hands - judges, state representatives, people running for sheriff and Congress, and just regular folks who wanted to take part in something historic. I got sunburned pretty goddamn badly and peeled like a salamander all this week. My legs feel like rubbery goo. But it was worth it to be involved, even though I was on the sidelines, of the most fascinating election I've ever been a part of. I'm looking forward to a little downtime, and I'm going to be relaxing today. Have fun.
If you know anything about me personally, you'd know that I'm a little more involved with politics than the average bear. That's because I work for a Justice of the Peace here in Harris County, and he's elected every presidential cycle. It makes for some interesting stories because I take time off to work the polls for him and push his cards all over Houston.
I worked at what was considered the busiest early voting precinct in all of Texas, the West Gray Multiservice Center, and I saw some strange stuff. The AARP was pimping bi-partisanship with this tiny little girl (with that lower back tattoo) in this giant blow-up half-mutant purple donkey elephant that walked around the parking lot. At one point, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo trail ride came by with about 30 people on horseback. I didn't meet any of the presidential candidates, sadly, but I heard stories of people almost literally running into them on the campaign trail. Houston hasn't been this interesting politically since Lyndon Johnson.
Yesterday, I electioneered at a church, and one of the people there pushing cards was the head of the Houston Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Political Caucus. That's a mouthful. Yeah, I went there. Anyway, she was the president, and surprisingly the GLBT Caucus has some serious political pull in Houston. We have probably the largest gay community in the South. It was a tie vote for the presidency endorsement, and she was the deciding vote. They went for Obama. A very nice lady too. It's too bad people have to take transgenders at face value the way they do; she is a successful contractor in town who helps people get the right permits for any buildings done in town and from what I understand she makes quite a bit of money doing what she does. She also executively produced a western TV show that has yet to air (the premise is basically BLAZING SADDLES taken seriously, but I liked the concept a lot).
I saw two older women for Hillary practically threaten about five big Obama guys to fistfights. Those Clinton people out there were ANGRY, let me tell you. I got along much better with the Obama people, who seemed to have a sense of optimism that was contagious. I tried to explain my rationalization for voting for Obama to the Clinton-women but they had none of it. It's hard to explain, but when two candidates are so similar in policy to each other, you do go with the one that engages you more. And Obama has something that makes me as an American to get more involved. My apathy is at an all time low right now and I have Barack Obama to thank for that.
I met a lot of people this week and shook a lot of hands - judges, state representatives, people running for sheriff and Congress, and just regular folks who wanted to take part in something historic. I got sunburned pretty goddamn badly and peeled like a salamander all this week. My legs feel like rubbery goo. But it was worth it to be involved, even though I was on the sidelines, of the most fascinating election I've ever been a part of. I'm looking forward to a little downtime, and I'm going to be relaxing today. Have fun.
Spread The Word
Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Outlaw from Luckenbach)
Thanks, Cerny. Good read. I'm an Obama supporter myself. First time in a long time, I believe again. I just don't get these rabid, angry Clinton-woman. To have that reaction to his optimism, and her own political failure, is sort of what's wrong with America in a nutshell. Anyway, I'm also indeed sure Texas was a blast yesterday for every involved/interested political junkie. Props for being part of the move for change!
Comment #2 (Posted by Bullworth vs. Parallex View)
Good stuff. Enjoy the blog. Await more Spielberg reviews(Love me some "Sugarland Express"-No one ever talks about it).
Comment #3 (Posted by Shampoo vs. Parallax View)
I agree. Good stuff. (I always watch "The Sugarland Express" back-to-back with "Thunderbolt & Lightfoot". I don't really know why, 'cept both are assured, visually stunning debuts)
