Well, I'm just now watching the debate and seeing how right my predictions were. Man, this was an exciting and surprisingly substantive debate. Alright, let's get down to each prediction.
1. Both candidates were indeed on time. Booyashaka. (1-0, right-wrong)
2. Bush definitely tried to break off the handshake first. Kerry held Bush's hand as Bush scurried away to his podium. (2-0)
3. Bush surprised me a bit and said that he himself is consistent rather than using the word "flip-flop" about Kerry. After the first five minutes, Bush said that Kerry had changed his position on Iraq many times. In the first five minutes, Bush still indirectly accused Kerry of being inconsistent, so I say I'm right. (3-0).
4. Kerry said that Bush's campaign had a word for people who change their minds, refering to Bush. Basically called him a flip-flopper, just like I said he would. (4-0).
5. Kerry called Bush's decision to go to war a "colossal error of judgment." He also said "wrong war at the wrong place at the wrong time." He also used the word "mistake." He said "wrong" 5 times at least, making me right 5 times. (5-0)
6. Bush pointed out Kerry's vote to give Bush II the authority to invade Iraq. He didn't refer to Kerry's prior service or votes, maybe because he was scared of Kerry talking about Bush's failure to complete his service in the National Guard. Still, Bush did discuss Kerry's voting record as something he "wasn't proud of," so I got this one right, too. (6-0)
7. Kerry said that Bush lacks the credibility to win the peace in Iraq by bringing in help from other nations. In other words, we need a change. (7-0)
8. Kerry talked specifically about Bush's failure to send troops with appropriate body armor, exactly as I said he would. Batting one thousand. (8-0)
9. Unlike most regular Americans, I was privy to the whispered exchange that took place as the two candidates shook hands at the beginning. Kerry said, "Hey, shortie." And Bush said, "Go fuck yourself." (9-0)
10. Kerry definitely had more zingers. My favorite was: "Bush has a four word plan for Iraq, 'more of the same." And of course this brilliant one near the end: "I've never wilted in my life." Bush, on the other hand kept repeating sorry 'zingers' like "mixed signals" and "wrong message to our troops," "good people are doing hard work," and "we're making progress." Kerry launched effective attacks on Bush AND managed to set the tone and control the terms of the debate. Bush didn't get him off message. Kerry made Bush respond -- Kerry was in control. Overall, Kerry scores a win. (10-0)
Right. Despite my perfect predictions, even I was surprised by some of the utterances these two came up with. First of all, I was surprised by the good and tough questions that Jim Lehrer came up with. And I was even more surprised to see the candidates actually address Jim's quesitons rather than turing around and giving their usual stump speech. They still did that, of course, but overall they were much more directly answering questions than I would have expected. I was also surprised to see North Korea and Iran become serious points of contention -- I thought Bush would try to bypass these two briar patches, but he went head-on.
I couldn't believe that Bush tried talking about Afghanistan as though it has been a successful mission. This is one of the biggest failures the American military has ever been involved with. Afghanistan is a disaster. It's a new low for Bush to try to sugar coat even that debacle. Kerry was effective at calling Bush on it, though. I also loved when Kerry pointed out that Bush said Saddam "attacked us, and we had to respond." Kerry said, "Saddam Hussein didn't attack us. Osama bin Laden did." And Bush diverted troops from looking for Osama to go after Saddam. Wrong choice. Wrong war. Wrong time.
I was surprised to see Bush blowing so much smoke up Iraqi "Prime Minister" Allawi's ass (he's actually a caretaker or interim prime minister). I was really surprised to see how repetitive Bush became. I thought he was a better debater than that, but the guy just didn't have anything else to say beyond his "on message" target one-liners, which he repeated way too many times. I was surprised at the talk about Iran and at the apparent agreement on nuclear proliferation as the #1 danger facing the US (I agree). I was surprised to see Kerry have extra time after he got his points across quickly. Kerry detailed his plans on Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, AND he talked about Bush's failings and he did it without going over time even once. Finally, I was also stunned to see Bush look so openly annoyed during Kerry's speeches. He should have been more courteous.
Here are things I should have predicted. I should have predicted that Kerry would use the words "my plan" at least 5 times. I should have predicted that Kerry would say "rush to war" a bunch of times. I should have predicted that both Kerry and Bush would both bring up the need to protect Israel, and that both would mention Israel by name. Both talked about reaching out to Arab peoples. Kerry mentioned Halliburton, twice, I think. And, the big one, Bush said "September 11th" in the first 10 seconds of his first speech. Obvious prediction. But, I limited myself to 10, so I didn't get all of them.
Kerry is very much in this race, folks. We'll be back with 10 more predictions for the next debate, so keep your browser pointed to eriklove.com.
1. Both candidates were indeed on time. Booyashaka. (1-0, right-wrong)
2. Bush definitely tried to break off the handshake first. Kerry held Bush's hand as Bush scurried away to his podium. (2-0)
3. Bush surprised me a bit and said that he himself is consistent rather than using the word "flip-flop" about Kerry. After the first five minutes, Bush said that Kerry had changed his position on Iraq many times. In the first five minutes, Bush still indirectly accused Kerry of being inconsistent, so I say I'm right. (3-0).
4. Kerry said that Bush's campaign had a word for people who change their minds, refering to Bush. Basically called him a flip-flopper, just like I said he would. (4-0).
5. Kerry called Bush's decision to go to war a "colossal error of judgment." He also said "wrong war at the wrong place at the wrong time." He also used the word "mistake." He said "wrong" 5 times at least, making me right 5 times. (5-0)
6. Bush pointed out Kerry's vote to give Bush II the authority to invade Iraq. He didn't refer to Kerry's prior service or votes, maybe because he was scared of Kerry talking about Bush's failure to complete his service in the National Guard. Still, Bush did discuss Kerry's voting record as something he "wasn't proud of," so I got this one right, too. (6-0)
7. Kerry said that Bush lacks the credibility to win the peace in Iraq by bringing in help from other nations. In other words, we need a change. (7-0)
8. Kerry talked specifically about Bush's failure to send troops with appropriate body armor, exactly as I said he would. Batting one thousand. (8-0)
9. Unlike most regular Americans, I was privy to the whispered exchange that took place as the two candidates shook hands at the beginning. Kerry said, "Hey, shortie." And Bush said, "Go fuck yourself." (9-0)
10. Kerry definitely had more zingers. My favorite was: "Bush has a four word plan for Iraq, 'more of the same." And of course this brilliant one near the end: "I've never wilted in my life." Bush, on the other hand kept repeating sorry 'zingers' like "mixed signals" and "wrong message to our troops," "good people are doing hard work," and "we're making progress." Kerry launched effective attacks on Bush AND managed to set the tone and control the terms of the debate. Bush didn't get him off message. Kerry made Bush respond -- Kerry was in control. Overall, Kerry scores a win. (10-0)
Right. Despite my perfect predictions, even I was surprised by some of the utterances these two came up with. First of all, I was surprised by the good and tough questions that Jim Lehrer came up with. And I was even more surprised to see the candidates actually address Jim's quesitons rather than turing around and giving their usual stump speech. They still did that, of course, but overall they were much more directly answering questions than I would have expected. I was also surprised to see North Korea and Iran become serious points of contention -- I thought Bush would try to bypass these two briar patches, but he went head-on.
I couldn't believe that Bush tried talking about Afghanistan as though it has been a successful mission. This is one of the biggest failures the American military has ever been involved with. Afghanistan is a disaster. It's a new low for Bush to try to sugar coat even that debacle. Kerry was effective at calling Bush on it, though. I also loved when Kerry pointed out that Bush said Saddam "attacked us, and we had to respond." Kerry said, "Saddam Hussein didn't attack us. Osama bin Laden did." And Bush diverted troops from looking for Osama to go after Saddam. Wrong choice. Wrong war. Wrong time.
I was surprised to see Bush blowing so much smoke up Iraqi "Prime Minister" Allawi's ass (he's actually a caretaker or interim prime minister). I was really surprised to see how repetitive Bush became. I thought he was a better debater than that, but the guy just didn't have anything else to say beyond his "on message" target one-liners, which he repeated way too many times. I was surprised at the talk about Iran and at the apparent agreement on nuclear proliferation as the #1 danger facing the US (I agree). I was surprised to see Kerry have extra time after he got his points across quickly. Kerry detailed his plans on Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, AND he talked about Bush's failings and he did it without going over time even once. Finally, I was also stunned to see Bush look so openly annoyed during Kerry's speeches. He should have been more courteous.
Here are things I should have predicted. I should have predicted that Kerry would use the words "my plan" at least 5 times. I should have predicted that Kerry would say "rush to war" a bunch of times. I should have predicted that both Kerry and Bush would both bring up the need to protect Israel, and that both would mention Israel by name. Both talked about reaching out to Arab peoples. Kerry mentioned Halliburton, twice, I think. And, the big one, Bush said "September 11th" in the first 10 seconds of his first speech. Obvious prediction. But, I limited myself to 10, so I didn't get all of them.
Kerry is very much in this race, folks. We'll be back with 10 more predictions for the next debate, so keep your browser pointed to eriklove.com.
All right, folks, the first debate in the presidential race is coming up in just a few hours. Here are the rock-solid, take-them-to-the-bank, most important predictoins for what the two candidates will throw past one another. We'll check back after the debates to show how right I was.
1. Both George W. Bush and John Kerry will be there on time.
2. An initial handshake will take place, and Bush will try to break off first (Kerry is taller and wants to show it off)
3. Bush will call Kerry a flip-flopper or "wavering" within the first 5 minutes.
4. Kerry will call Bush a flip-flopper or "wavering" within the first 5 minutes.
5. Kerry will call Bush "wrong" at least 5 times.
6. Bush will point out that Kerry voted against the 1991 Gulf War (among other 'no' votes on military issues).
7. Kerry will insist that a change is needed to make peace in Iraq.
8. Kerry will point out that Bush sent troops to Iraq without proper supplies -- some soldiers had to buy their own body armor and walkie-talkies, for example.
9. Bush will tell Kerry to go fuck himself. (Gotta have one that's out there a bit.)
10. Neither candidate will "win," but Kerry will have more zingers overall.
There you have it, folks. You don't need any other predictions. These are all 100% guaranteed to happen. We'll confirm it tomorrow night. See you then.
1. Both George W. Bush and John Kerry will be there on time.
2. An initial handshake will take place, and Bush will try to break off first (Kerry is taller and wants to show it off)
3. Bush will call Kerry a flip-flopper or "wavering" within the first 5 minutes.
4. Kerry will call Bush a flip-flopper or "wavering" within the first 5 minutes.
5. Kerry will call Bush "wrong" at least 5 times.
6. Bush will point out that Kerry voted against the 1991 Gulf War (among other 'no' votes on military issues).
7. Kerry will insist that a change is needed to make peace in Iraq.
8. Kerry will point out that Bush sent troops to Iraq without proper supplies -- some soldiers had to buy their own body armor and walkie-talkies, for example.
9. Bush will tell Kerry to go fuck himself. (Gotta have one that's out there a bit.)
10. Neither candidate will "win," but Kerry will have more zingers overall.
There you have it, folks. You don't need any other predictions. These are all 100% guaranteed to happen. We'll confirm it tomorrow night. See you then.
I know many of you have already seen this on other, less important blogs, but I thought I would put it up for those of you who depend exclusively (as you should) on eriklove.com for your news and opinions.
Bush On the Ranch (starring Will Ferrell)
Play the video and remember to vote on Novemer 2.
Bush On the Ranch (starring Will Ferrell)
Play the video and remember to vote on Novemer 2.
OK -- is it just me, or is this an example of everything that's wrong with art these days? If a little kid can do it, why can't I?
Someone please help me understand this -- I know there are at least a few dozen eriklove.com readers that are professional art critics. Here is your chance to respond.
Back to more important blogging later.
Someone please help me understand this -- I know there are at least a few dozen eriklove.com readers that are professional art critics. Here is your chance to respond.
Back to more important blogging later.
I've already been deluged with trillions of email messages, about 999,999,999,991 of them asking me if I'd like to enlarge my penis (I don't) and 45 asking me if I'd like to become an investor in an African nation's royal family (I already am) and about 3 of them asking if I'm OK after the earthquake that struck central California this morning.
I'm happy to report that I was hard at work on the computer during the quake, and I thought that I felt something shaking. I assumed that I was simply on a caffeine high after drinking my ninth cup of coffee, but then I saw this CNN story which proved me wrong. I have survied my first California quake. Better luck next time, Koizumi!
As you can see in a related story from the ENN Archive, I went through my very first earthquake ever when I was in Japan. I didn't even notice it, and I was angry at myself for my lack of observation skills. In my defense, that night I was at a bar and rather drunk after shooting a whiskey commercial.
Anyway, blogging will continue uninterrupted by this earthquake story.
I'm happy to report that I was hard at work on the computer during the quake, and I thought that I felt something shaking. I assumed that I was simply on a caffeine high after drinking my ninth cup of coffee, but then I saw this CNN story which proved me wrong. I have survied my first California quake. Better luck next time, Koizumi!
As you can see in a related story from the ENN Archive, I went through my very first earthquake ever when I was in Japan. I didn't even notice it, and I was angry at myself for my lack of observation skills. In my defense, that night I was at a bar and rather drunk after shooting a whiskey commercial.
Anyway, blogging will continue uninterrupted by this earthquake story.
Great article in the New York Times today (and this one seems to be non-made-up) about the huge number of new voters that are getting registered this year.
NY Times: A Big Increase of Voters
(to log in, just give it username: stupid6, password: stupid For more free logins, see www.bugmenot.com)
Basically, pollsters (who are predicting a VERY VERY close presidential race, maybe even closer than 2000) don't call newly registered voters. But with record numbers of new people signing up, and since the margin of victory in some states is only a few thousand votes... these new people are a huge x-factor.
And, good news for all of you eriklove.com Democrats and weak-kneed liberals: looks like Kerry voters make up the bulk of new registrations. Make sure you get registered and vote, kids! This is huge!
Hope you've had a good weekend -- I've been a bit bogged down with the start of the school year here in lovely Santa Barbara. Fear not, the most important blog ever will continue to bring you extremely relevant information as soon as it becomes available. Don't touch that address bar.
NY Times: A Big Increase of Voters
(to log in, just give it username: stupid6, password: stupid For more free logins, see www.bugmenot.com)
Basically, pollsters (who are predicting a VERY VERY close presidential race, maybe even closer than 2000) don't call newly registered voters. But with record numbers of new people signing up, and since the margin of victory in some states is only a few thousand votes... these new people are a huge x-factor.
And, good news for all of you eriklove.com Democrats and weak-kneed liberals: looks like Kerry voters make up the bulk of new registrations. Make sure you get registered and vote, kids! This is huge!
Hope you've had a good weekend -- I've been a bit bogged down with the start of the school year here in lovely Santa Barbara. Fear not, the most important blog ever will continue to bring you extremely relevant information as soon as it becomes available. Don't touch that address bar.
So they're not huge in America anymore, but Boyz II Men just lit up the Great Wall.
It's not the end of the road yet, folks. Go on out and pick yourself up a copy of Throwback today!
It's not the end of the road yet, folks. Go on out and pick yourself up a copy of Throwback today!
If you want to get a little chuckle and/or slightly pissed off, visit this little spot right here:
http://www.cnn.com/mostpopular
You'll get one of those pissed off feelings when you have to shake your head with a little bit of disgust and/or bemusement.
As I type this, the most popular story for CNN.com readers is something about an 11 year old being accused of sexually assaulting a senior citizen. While this article is indeed facsinating and worthy of your valuable time, I've gotta believe that there are more important things that America could be reading about. For example, this blog. Or, the remarkable insights and musings of my good friend Dave over at Dworin.com. Or, potentially, America could be reading up on the failures of the Bush Administration.
Anyway, any time you want a little disgusting bemusement, hop on over to cnn.com/mostpopular.
And any time you want raw, unadulterated greatness worthy of your time, stop over at www.eriklove.com.
http://www.cnn.com/mostpopular
You'll get one of those pissed off feelings when you have to shake your head with a little bit of disgust and/or bemusement.
As I type this, the most popular story for CNN.com readers is something about an 11 year old being accused of sexually assaulting a senior citizen. While this article is indeed facsinating and worthy of your valuable time, I've gotta believe that there are more important things that America could be reading about. For example, this blog. Or, the remarkable insights and musings of my good friend Dave over at Dworin.com. Or, potentially, America could be reading up on the failures of the Bush Administration.
Anyway, any time you want a little disgusting bemusement, hop on over to cnn.com/mostpopular.
And any time you want raw, unadulterated greatness worthy of your time, stop over at www.eriklove.com.
Despite all the hype to the contrary from the press, the Presidential race is still extremely close.
This Harris poll, from September 9-13, puts Kerry in the lead nationally, 48 to 47 (with 2 for Nader and a 4 percent error margin). Well, folks, that's a dead heat.
But, of course, the national poll is meaningless. As we all know, even if Kerry gets, say, half a million more votes than Bush -- just like Gore did four years ago -- Bush can still become president. Yeah. So, we have to look at every state when it's this close.
Slate magazine has an excellent Election Scorecard (updated daily), color coded, so that you can see how the election would go if it were held today. It's still a complete toss up. It looks like states such as Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Colorado (to name a few) are crucial. If you haven't registered to vote and you are an eriklove.com reader in one of these states -- get yourself down to city hall right now and make sure your voice is heard in November.
This Harris poll, from September 9-13, puts Kerry in the lead nationally, 48 to 47 (with 2 for Nader and a 4 percent error margin). Well, folks, that's a dead heat.
But, of course, the national poll is meaningless. As we all know, even if Kerry gets, say, half a million more votes than Bush -- just like Gore did four years ago -- Bush can still become president. Yeah. So, we have to look at every state when it's this close.
Slate magazine has an excellent Election Scorecard (updated daily), color coded, so that you can see how the election would go if it were held today. It's still a complete toss up. It looks like states such as Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Colorado (to name a few) are crucial. If you haven't registered to vote and you are an eriklove.com reader in one of these states -- get yourself down to city hall right now and make sure your voice is heard in November.
Air Traffic Controllers Report Chaos - CNN
Well, folks, this time I was part of the news. Just as they began boarding my flight back to Love Headquarters, suddenly the surprisingly friendly gate agents for Delta Airlines aborted and sent us all back to sit down at the gate there in Salt Lake City.
We were told that there was some kind of communications problem grounding all flights to and from California, and that it wasn't Delta's fault. I suspected that in fact it was completely Delta's fault and that they were just making it up so that they didn't have to give me a hotel room.
Turns out CNN reported on this thing, so it must be true. I'm still thinking that Koizumi had something to do with it. See the ENN story for more details on the exclusive ENN investigation. And I did get a free hotel room from the nice folks over at Delta, the doomed airline. Good luck over there, kids.
Well, folks, this time I was part of the news. Just as they began boarding my flight back to Love Headquarters, suddenly the surprisingly friendly gate agents for Delta Airlines aborted and sent us all back to sit down at the gate there in Salt Lake City.
We were told that there was some kind of communications problem grounding all flights to and from California, and that it wasn't Delta's fault. I suspected that in fact it was completely Delta's fault and that they were just making it up so that they didn't have to give me a hotel room.
Turns out CNN reported on this thing, so it must be true. I'm still thinking that Koizumi had something to do with it. See the ENN story for more details on the exclusive ENN investigation. And I did get a free hotel room from the nice folks over at Delta, the doomed airline. Good luck over there, kids.
Well, we have quite a spirited debate below about Dick Cheney and the scathing biography of our Vice President. Check it out, and add your two cents. I'll consider dignifying my two "anonymous" posters' arguments with a response shortly.
Well, here's another thing you can't do in California any more, thanks to the damn conservatives. I'll have to take care of this while I'm still in the Midwest.
Back to regular extremely relevant blogging next week, as I return to the Golden State.
Back to regular extremely relevant blogging next week, as I return to the Golden State.
Tigers and Royals Game Recap
As Detroit basks in the glory of their Cinderella-style NBA Champion Pistons team, we can also celebrate today's game between the Kansas City Royals (widely regarded as the worst team in baseball this year) and the Tigers in downtown Detroit today.
Several Major League records were broken or tied, and both the Royals and the Tigers set new club records as well.
Detroit really knows how to send off one of it's own. I'm off to Chicago tomorrow to root for the Cubs. Stay tuned to the Blog, we'll be back to regularly scheduled extremely useful and important information in the days ahead.
As Detroit basks in the glory of their Cinderella-style NBA Champion Pistons team, we can also celebrate today's game between the Kansas City Royals (widely regarded as the worst team in baseball this year) and the Tigers in downtown Detroit today.
Several Major League records were broken or tied, and both the Royals and the Tigers set new club records as well.
Detroit really knows how to send off one of it's own. I'm off to Chicago tomorrow to root for the Cubs. Stay tuned to the Blog, we'll be back to regularly scheduled extremely useful and important information in the days ahead.
Well, you may have missed this breaking story out of Australia the other day. Yes, Miss Universe was in a fashion show, walking down the catwalk, when her dress simply melted away. Apparently, she caught the edge of her dress on her heel, and the thing just ripped right off. Awesome.
Check out the woman in yellow down in the lower right corner there. HA!
More photos at this fine site.
Check out the woman in yellow down in the lower right corner there. HA!
More photos at this fine site.
Farrah's Comments on Dave Letterman - Reuters
Yeah, so it turns out Farrah and I look exactly alike. How about that.
Yeah, so it turns out Farrah and I look exactly alike. How about that.
As you probably already know from reading the world's most trusted name in Erik News, ENN, I'm on my way to Detroit today as part of my summer tour of troubled cities that has included Jerusalem and Cairo.
Well, unfortunately for all of you, blogging will be a bit light over the next few days as I'm traveling. Don't worry -- we'll be back shortly. And there's always the ENN Archives if you really need to get your fix.
Well, unfortunately for all of you, blogging will be a bit light over the next few days as I'm traveling. Don't worry -- we'll be back shortly. And there's always the ENN Archives if you really need to get your fix.
