Preparing for Dissapointment

I was reminded late last night that today was the Iowa Caucus. I almost wish I had conveniently forgot (I haven't watched TV since the writers strike began like a month or so ago). Last time the caucuses happened I was voting in it. I left the actual caucus frustrated that last-minute Kerry pandering had brought out droves of ignorant "supporters" who knew nothing of his issues. I know, I asked them. That is the whole point of the caucus, isn't it? It's a bunch of BS, by the way...

Then I got home and watched the rest of the state's results. Third. I couldn't believe it. Dean came i third... I was devastated. I'm afraid to watch this time. If Clinton comes in third and the political media machine kicks in again to blow it out of proportion a la the Dean scream I'm going to fucking explode. It will fundamentally seal the final reluctance away and I will dedicate my life to finishing my Ph.D. and moving the fuck away from this pathetic excuse for a country as fast as possible.

A final note on the legacy of the Dean scream. Have you ever actually watched the video? It's NOTHING! He's yelling "yeah!" at a campaign rally with an exuberant crowd. What the fuck? THIS is why the media declared him crazy? THIS is why his campaign was doomed? I only bring up old wounds because nearly every article I've read in Iowa yet this morning brings up the scream as a flashpoint in Dean's downfall, complicit in the media mockery that destroyed a valid, viable political campaign over a ghost irrelevancy.

I think I'll prepare by whipping up some more hard cider... This may be the official beginning of a very long and painful year.

Am I Co-listed in Gender Studies Already?

In preparing for my Argumentation class this spring, I just popped on to the roster to find an unusual surprise. My students consist of 5 guys and 20 girls. I knew women were an ever-increasing proportion of college students, but this distribution is still more what I'd expect for a women's studies course! Maybe that gives me license to bring in more feminist rhetoric ;o) On any account, I look forward to what is sure to be an interesting semester.