I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got

By Brady Bonk

Tivo Alert: Rachel Maddow will appear on Conan this evening.

I know that I am one of the few who actually cares about this kind of thing. I tried time and again to set the world on fire with John McWeirdsmile's bizarre use of the phrase "I'll follow him to the gates of Hell," but nobody else seemed to see it nor care. Similarly, I am constantly correcting folks who take the "-ic" out of "Democratic."

However, I am hearing and reading a lot of people discussing Republigoats in terms of "sour grapes." No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no NO no no no.

"Sour grapes" is not the same thing as being a sore loser. "Sour grapes" is a specific rationalization, when one denies that he desires something that is unattainable anyway. If John McWeirdsmile now said, "You know, with the financial crisis going on and two wars and everything, and the friggin' job only pays $400,000 a year anyways! Who in his right mind would want that job? Phooey!" As a matter of fact, I must admit that, had John McWeirdsmile won, I would have been employing a sort of sour grapes arugment. Screw it, they won it, they can have it, I would have written here. Let them run this country further into the ground, then they'll see; they'll see this friendly fascism at work, an then, they'll not only come out to vote, but they'll pour out into the streets! That's sour grapes.

One hot summer's day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. "Just the things to quench my thirst," quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: "I am sure they are sour."

The moral: It is easy to despise what you cannot get.

Language is special and important. The phrase in question is from a specific fable and describes a specific foible. To use it in other contexts dulls its efficacy and renders it mundane. You might as well be using it to describe a skin condition or your pants. Besides that, it makes what the Republigoats are discussing seem somehow quaint compared to the actual vitriolic nature of some of the things coming out from over there. They are not engaging in sour grapes. They are being sore losers, bad Americans, and assholes. (And, hey. What’d you expect?)

So. Ixnay on the oursay grapesway. Unless, of course, it is what you actually mean to say. Way.

Another item: For the first time evar, I have nominated this blog to

(my comment is still awaiting approval).

Wish us luck.

Closure

By Papa Bonk

(From today's Salon)

"We were so glad that we had (gone to Grant Park at 10 p.m. election night) because it was a moment that we wanted to share. We didn’t want to be by ourselves. It was just too sweet. It felt like a page of history was being turned. And, of course, there are going to be challenges, obstacles, setbacks, disappointments, reversals up ahead. But who doesn't want to savor that? Who doesn't want to wish this young man and his beautiful young family all the best in the world because it’s their moment. We invest a lot of hope in them. Let's not lose hope in ourselves. But let's wish them all the best."

(Bill Ayers, commenting on being at Grant Park on election night with his wife Bernadette Dorhn and 250,000 others.)

Secretary of State Clinton

By Brady Bonk

President-Elect Obama has a knack for personnel in the exact same way that The Current President doesn't.

He is making personnel decisions that seem not just good, not just right, but downright inspired. When I heard the name “Rahm Emanuel” as COS, I shrieked “Eureka!” and bolted out of the tub. A coworker I often discuss such matters shook her head. She said Rahm wouldn’t take the job. She said her inside poop indicated Obama/Emanuel personality clashiness, and that due to that, Obama would not offer, and Emanuel would not accept.

I told her he would and he would. Because the choice was inspired. It was inspired and it had to be. And there you have it.

Hillary Clinton at State is the same deal. I know this sounds odd, considering all the digital ink I spilled calling the woman “Tweety Monster” and wishing she’d just dry up and blow away back in New York. But the idea of Hillary at State, it seems so damned, well, you know: Inspired. I know the most oft-mentioned choice is Kerry, but that’s never sat quite right with me, and nor has the suggestion of Bill Richardson. But Hillary Clinton at State? Inspired.

Update: For a completely opposite viewpoint on this, please see The Pensito Review.

It’s Christmas Card Time Again

By Brady Bonk

Now, you can buy your very own official KIAV Christmas Cards, by the single or by the 10 or 20. Pick them up here.

YES WE DID!

Update: Even better, Jim Moran has retained his seat. And YAY! Dennis Kucinich as well!

I have no words. That is all. Except maybe this: Thank you, America, for heeding my endorsement of February 2008.

If I Ruled The World, Our National Anthem Would Be This.

This may sound corny. But here. Here’s a little inspiration for you today.

(It's easier to sing than the one we have now, too, isn't it?)

Meanwhile, Here In 'Communist Country'

I have just heard anecdotally that as of noon, we here in Northern Virginia (I think it was NOVA and not the whole of the state), we have already surpassed the turnout numbers from 2004. ALREADY.

I think people are PISSED. I saw more “I VOTED” stickers on the commute in than I’ve ever seen.

We’re going to win.