I'd Like An Apology, Too

[mrockwell]

Writing

Paul Kemp has some interesting comments about shared-world writing vs. creator-owned writing as they impact the career path of the new author (like moi). Basically, with shared-world fiction, you'll likely get decent sales, but will never have a breakout novel. With creator-owned fiction, your sales will likely be lower, but you at least have a shot at breaking out.

The obvious conclusion is that the best career comes out of writing both, but I suppose that's easier said than done. I'll let you know in a few years. Heh.

Everything Else

YB is full-on sick, would not wear his bee costume, and went to only three neighbors' houses before having a complete meltdown. He is now happily opening all his brother's candy and playing with the wrappers. Go figure.

Oh, and as an aside, the esteemed Sen. John Kerry can kiss my college-educated, high tax bracket Republican rear end. In a speech Monday at Pasadena City College, he said, and I quote, "You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

WTF????

The implication that the only people who care about this country enough to defend her are those who are too stupid to do anything else is beyond unconscionable. It is both arrogant and asinine and reveals a deep contempt for both our nation and our troops that ought to terrify anyone who thinks this man might one day have a shot at running this country.

Just for the record, Mr. Kerry, my husband graduated from high school early, got a full-ride academic scholarship to USC, and is a registered civil engineer who brings in a 6-figure income. Oh, yeah, and he also proudly serves our country as an officer in the Navy. And he is by no means unique. So, Mr. Kerry, not only are you a pompous ass, you're also talking out of it.

Interesting thing #38: Fall is my favorite season. Except during election years. Bleh.

Comments

[saetter.livejournal.com]

I'm sure what's worse: Kerry's comment, the back peddling attempt to play it off as only a Bush joke, or his brilliant counter "No, Mr. President. We deserve an apology from you for blah blah blah."

They all speak volumes about his character.
A) The comment was wrong, no matter how you try to spin it.
B) I think a better educated man should be able to speak in complete sentences so the audience is clear that he's signaling one person with his remark. ;)
C) What can I say? Some people still act like a child no matter how many years they've lived. "I'm not a poo poo head. You are!"

Anyway.

[sheriffjoe.livejournal.com]

Marcy,

Did you see the video of his speech? He kept looking down, referring to notes, stumbling over the sentence structure.

From what I SAW, I would say that his explanation is exactly what happened. He was supposed to say something and DIDN'T. One word was left out.

ONE WORD.

That one word has opened the floodgates for republicans to attack and make every issue facing us disappear in the interest of attacking someone who flubbed a line and made it sound like he was insulting the troops.

I don't buy it.

I DO buy that Bush IS ignorant, stupid and I say that after having WATCHED the video of his reply to Kerry's flub. Bush was NOT glancing down at a prepared statement. He was speaking off the cuff and at full tilt. And, as a writer, did you LISTEN to his sentence structure? He's a bloody moron. AND...frankly, Kerry is right. Student NEED to study, need to take thier schooling seriously, otherwise they WILL get US stuck in Iraq...just like our esteemed president has.

I've been waiting for an apology from this ass for six years. It isn't ever going to happen. But let one democrat flub one word and SPARKS WILL FLY.

Now, if republicans can just talk about the issues rather than attack people, this country might get somewhere. At the very least, I want an apology for the 2800 AMERICAN deaths this president has directly caused for no reason other than to show the world how badass he is.

And for the record...I am a military veteran myself. I have a bachelor's degree in philosophy (so maybe I'm not all that smart...heh), I've written 15 screenplays and I average about one novel a week when I am on a reading roll (versus a french roll...or is that freedom roll? sorry...had to throw just one more dig in there).

I grew up catholic...republican...conservative.

Realized that it was okay to be gay...and that meant that catholicism was wrong...republicans were wrong and being fiscally conservative is intelligent, but being socially conservative is stupid and unproductive.

Rather than fight what I knew...I went with it and now consider myself to be spiritual, but anti-religious; democratic, (although most democratic polticians are spineless) and thus a social liberal/fiscal conservative/political moderate.

When ANY politican attacks someone, my blood pressure rises. When a proven liar claims to speak for me...I take offense. Call me crazy...

On to more happy thoughts: I have yet to read any of your work, but seeing as though you are about to become a published novelist in the world of Eberron, I have no doubt that you will succeed admirably both as a shared-world author and as a creator-owned novelist. Just keep on writing and you WILL be a success.

In regards to intersting thing #38: October is my favorite month of all. Not sure why...just how it FEELS. It is a sensual thing for me. October just makes me feel alive. November is too connected to politics to be even remotely pleasant for me. If it went away for good, I wouldn't shed a tear.

[sheriffjoe.livejournal.com]

A) The comment was wrong. Yes. It was misspoken. Having watched the video of the speech, that much is apparent.

B) ONE WORD was not said. That one word (ironically, the word was US) certainly isn't worth the firestorm the republicans have created out of this. Even if it were, Comment B should apply to Bush every time the moron opens his mouth.

C) Definition of ALL politicans. This comment made me laugh. Thank you for that. I can not only see every single political candidate speaking like this, but I can hear it. Sadly, some of them actually DO resort to this kind of language and behavior.

American politics at its worst. Unfortunately, it is TYPICAL American politics.

[eriksdb.livejournal.com]

Well, what can I say? Kerry's an ass.

I don't think we have to worry about him one day running the country.

And I'll bet your husband got better grades in college than he did. :)

Cheers

[mrockwell.livejournal.com]

I did see the video, actually. And I'm not sure where you could put the word "us" (or any other word) into that quote to make it any more palatable.

Politicians are wordsmiths just as much as writers are - they live and die by their words (or at least their political careers do). I have a hard time believing a consummate politician like Mr. Kerry would ever say ANYthing publicly that wasn't exactly what he meant.

Interestingly enough, I was raised nondenominational, Democratic and liberal. Then I grew up, went out into the real world and tried to make it on my own. That's when my political, social and religious views shifted.

As for favorite month, it's a toss-up between September and October - depends on where I'm living. I actually think it's a quality of light issue - sort of like Seasonal Affected Disorder, only it makes me happier, not sadder. Go figure.

[mrockwell.livejournal.com]

Heh. My husband even got better grades in college than I did. ;)

[eriksdb.livejournal.com]

Join the club of "The Less Scholarly Significant Other." :)

And in my case, that only applies because of rampant perfectionism and over-achieving . . . at which Shelley just happened to be better. :)

Cheers

[(Anonymous)]

Kerry has a record of anti-military commentary since he returned form tour in Vietnam. So, he left out a word. That seems to be more evidence of a Freudian slip than a "botched joke."

"When a proven liar claims to speak for me...I take offense."

So, were you offended by the Clinton administration? And when was it proven that Bush lied? I'm no dyed-in-the-wool Republican (independent conservative, thank you), but I find such comments to be inflammatory, partisan propaganda.

-Kameron

[hewet-ka-ptah.livejournal.com]

I got the Kerry joke and never once thought he was referring to soldiers. I think those in the media that jumped on it immediately already assume that Kerry is anti-soldier despite the fact that he served in the military, is a decorated vet, was on Defense committees, and worked hand in hand with John McCain to locate POW MIA in Vietnam. Never once during his criticism of the war in Iraq has he ever said anything negative about the troops. He's criticized the way the war is being handled, as have a number of people - many of whom were called "unpatriotic" and accused of lack of support for US soldiers - an accusation flung at yours truly, with the cherry on top of "traitor" hurled my way. I think most Americans are mighty weary of the rhetoric, and I include Kerry's slap at the Bush Admin.

[mysanal.livejournal.com]

Was the remark a mistake? Absolutely.

But it puts me in mind of a tangent... even though your hubby may be highly educated and in the military, a very high number (a majority?) of those who go into the military are poor and/or have few options for bettering themselves and go in so that the military will *give* them more options (like paying for schooling).

Which makes me wonder... if basic college at a state school was paid for (as it used to be in CA) would military enrollment decline?

#38

[mysanal.livejournal.com]

I love fall too. Unfortunately, even after 20+ years in the desert, this time of year makes me miss PA. ;->

Re: #38

[mrockwell.livejournal.com]

Yes, autumn is definitely much different here than in MT, or even CA. But there's still a briskness to the air and a quality to the light that I love. :)

Re: #38

[mysanal.livejournal.com]

And, of course, we can actually go outside in the daylight now... *giggle*