The Election Hangover

Before I seriously put on my political hat and evaluate the recently ended US presidential campaign and election, allow me to state a few things. One, I am not a US citizen, but I’d like to think of the US as my adopted home away from home. Two, I am too liberal to be dress myself in Republican red. Three, I know very little of politics than what I see and hear on CNN, so don’t crucify me for this post. And four, I am just honestly stating my opinions and asking questions that have been bothering me, so if anyone can give me an insight or two and enrich my political knowledge, it would be really great.

Now, let’s start.

When it was announced that Obama and McCain were the presidential nominees for their respective parties, I was very excited. I think the Obama- Clinton fight was a big challenge for Obama to overcome, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was curious to see how he would take on McCain for the presidency. And you know of McCain as the Maverick, McRage, etc, and with his 26 years of experience, you expect some really heavy, interesting and exciting campaigning from him, against the fresh, inspirational campaign of Obama’s. So, the stage was set, may the best man win.

The Vice-Presidential nominees were next to be announced. Obama’s choice made sense. Joe Biden has experience, especially in foreign policies, something that a lot of people say Obama lacks knowledge in. Biden may be a more hot-headed senator than Joe Cool Obama, but you see how they have chemistry and how they really support each other. And, most importantly, Biden has a sense of humor- I believe anyone who can laugh at themselves is someone you can get along with. So, you know, Obama- Biden is a good partnership in my eye.

And what did McCain do? Pick a governor, with very little experience, and from a state that she claims she can see Russia from just because it shares a little strait of a border. And this close proximity is her qualification in foreign policy. Wow. Seriously, of all the 50 states, of all the Republican candidates in USA, Sarah Palin? Really? I mean, I have nothing against Alaska; my parents and a few of my friends have gone on a cruise there and they said it’s really beautiful, and I’m sure Alaskans are very nice people. But, McCain, haven’t you been criticizing Obama for his lack of experience, and you selected this woman with even less experience than Obama as your running mate? I mean, SERIOUSLY?! 

That woman was the beginning of the end for McCain. Yes, everyone was excited, a female running mate! We’ve seen the excitement from Hillary’s campaigns and women voters are the key to the presidency! But, really? He’s like 72 years old, and I’m sure he’s in good health to be able to campaign vigorously at his age, but should he become president, his plan B is this woman. Seriously? 

And I don’t understand McCain’s ad campaigns. I mean, I haven’t seen them all, again, I only know what I know thanks to CNN, but what I’ve seen are not very inspiring. What’s there to inspire when he just kept attacking Obama? Obama is promising change, McCain is just attacking his background, his middle name, and the list goes on. In a diverse society like America, is it really wise to criticize all these things? Didn’t you think, McCain, that your undecided voters may have one or more similar backgrounds as Obama’s? 

And then, THAT interview happened. I think a fifth grader can do better than Sarah Palin when asked the same questions. I couldn’t even bear to watch it because I felt to embarrassed for Palin. OK I admit I wasn’t doing any better than she did; I didn’t know what the Bush Doctrine was prior to the interview, but as a Republican Governor of Alaska, and as John McCain’s running mate, shouldn’t you have some inkling of an idea? 

As if the interview wasn’t bad enough, the Canadians decided to prank call her. The fake Sarkozky asked if she would run for presidency in 2012, and she GIGGLED. OK, you’re pretty cute Sarah Palin, but when you talk to another head of state from a country that doesn’t think much of your own country, you ought to have some sort of professionalism. Seriously, where did this woman come from?

And I hate how she puts herself as the model of working mom, that she would be your friend in the White House. Girl, Michele Obama is a working mom, Hillary Clinton is a working mom, MY mom and sisters are working moms. Don’t put yourself on a pedestal like that to get our sympathy. I honestly take that as an insult; just because you share the hardship of being a working mom does not make you any better than any working moms out there, and it offends that you’re using this angle to impress the women voters. You want to score points with the working moms? Make sure that when they take their kids to the hospital, they won’t be turned away or be burdened by thousands of dollars in medical bills. Make sure their kids don’t have to be deep in debts in their effort to get a college degree. Make sure the job market and the economy is healthy so that they can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their kids would have better future and better lives. If there are really wars to be fought, make sure the soldiers are equipped properly and safely so they can come home alive and well to their mothers. When you’ve done all this, Sarah Palin, you can crown yourself The Working Mom of All Working Moms.

I just don’t get it. I mean, this should have been one of the most exciting campaigns ever! And in his concession speech, he was thanking everyone for job well done, for all the efforts put in, etc, etc. If I were McCain, I’d be like this is a shit campaign! Who the hell let me select Palin? Why the hell did anyone convince me she would be a good running mate? Why didn’t any of MY advisors give her any coaching before the Couric interview? Obama has over 2 million people on his Facebook, why do I have only 600 thousands? Why didn’t anyone teach me all this techy stuff to connect with the young voters? How come Obama has all those cool celebrities endorsing him, and I only have Arnold? Can’t you people find me some cool athletes and the Republican equivalent of Oprah?

It’s not that I wanted McCain to win, but I just thought there’s more to McCain than what we’ve seen. Well, I guess after what happened to Al Gore in 2000, it’s the Republican’s turn. Yeah, we kinda feel bad about Florida and all, so we’ll screw up this campaign to make up for it, and leave some good materials for the SNL people to do their skits. 

Oh McCain, it’s really sad that we saw the man that we know you are capable of being during that concession speech. I’m sure Obama would’ve won regardless the campaign McCain was running, but man, to bow out with such an embarrassing running mate and aimless presidential campaign? 

The best man did win. And it’s about time change arrives in America. Yay Obama!

Extra Fee for Extra Leg Space

Singapore Airlines announced that it will start charging US$50/ way for passenger choosing to sit on emergency exit seats for the extra leg space. I understand that some passengers specifically request for seats there for this extra room, and I even know a number of people who have to have these seats because they are freakishly tall (6′3″ and taller).

But I wonder, is it fair to charge this extra $50? I mean, with the taxes and fuel surcharges that add up to even more than the air ticket price itself, and with the current economic crisis, is it fair, really?

I can swallow extra charges for more air marshals in planes, better foods served during flights, better in-flight entertainment, etc. But extra leg space? It seems to me that SIA is taking advantage of this situation to make more money. I’m just surprised that SIA dared to put a fee for this. I mean, they are one of the best airlines in the world, and they are risking their reputation for providing the best customer service by charging for extra leg space on a row that is required to be wider than others? 

I remember when one of the US airlines announced that the whole economic class cabin was to have extra leg space. The rows were made to be wider, giving everyone in economic class, whether sitting on the emergency seats or not, more leg room. I cannot remember if this particular airline increased their airfares- in the spirit of capitalism I’m sure they did- but I don’t mind paying extra because I know everyone is enjoying the same benefit.

I guess you can say that the benefit of this extra leg space in SIA flights would be enjoyed only by those who are willing to pay for it. So I guess in a way, it’s pretty fair. The extra charge would free up these emergency row seats to those who really need them, and the freakishly tall people can battle it out without us normal height people spoiling the market. 

I can’t help but wonder however if we normal height people would have to fork up more money for some other ‘privileges’ during a flight. Those sitting on window seats would have to pay an extra $50 for the view of the fluffy clouds. Those sitting on aisle seats would have to pay an extra $50 for easier access to the toilets. The possibility to generate more revenues are endless.

I guess during a financially hard time like this, anything is chargeable.

The Redundancy of Wisdom Teeth

The mandibular third molars, better known as wisdom teeth, grow in most people between the age 17-25, an age range deemed old enough to garner some wisdom. In fact, these teeth could be of valuable assets when they grow out properly.

I beg to differ.

These damn teeth have given me nothing but misery. I cried myself to sleep for the whole week during my junior year in college because my left wisdom tooth was growing slanted and pushing the tooth next to it, hence causing unbelievable pain that not even the strongest pain killer could help me bear. The process of extracting it was so painful, regardless the anesthetic, and the after math of the extraction was even worse. It was pure torture.

And of course, five years later, I had to go through the same thing. My dentist this time had a bit more finesse, but the pain, the swelling, the soreness, they’re all the same. And now, even after my stitches have been removed, after taking painkillers, my mouth is still not the same. I am still tortured.

Why on earth do we still need wisdom teeth? Are they going to help us chew better? Well, I was doing fine before they came out. My dental bridge is supported well enough, I don’t see how these four extra teeth would help in anyway. And I don’t have any missing molars that I’d need my wisdom teeth to come in as replacements. Even if a molar was missing, there’s such a thing as artificial teeth these days. So why hasn’t evolution kicked in and gotten rid of these damn things altogether? Maybe Sarah Palin is right after all…

Seriously though, why do we still need wisdom teeth? They don’t give us anymore wisdom, they do nothing, they provide nothing, even their benefits… they’re redundant. These 4 teeth are redundant. Our existing teeth are fine without them; they don’t need anymore help in chewing. 

So now, with an ice pack pressed tightly to my right cheek, hoping in some way it would reduce the swelling, I feel a series of throbbing pain in my gum, although I have had my stitches removed, stitches that were irritating my gum and my cheek, so much so that I developed TWO ulcers. Even now, without the stitches, I still feel this empty space that has been sown and closed up pulling in whenever I swallow. I fear it’s going to open up and ooze blood till I pass out.

I’m not being dramatic, but seriously, I am in a lot of pain. So I beg you evolution, please, pretty please, just stop these mandibular third molars from torturing us. Just eliminate them. Please.