In from the cold

I hope.

We have a homeless guy who I think sleeps in the dumpster behind my office.  I feel a lot of guilt because there is a person who is clever enough to figure out that the safest place for him to sleep, as a homeless person, is in a dumpster.  He generally is out by the time I roll in each morning, but once in a while I catch him.  Our office is just a block away from the town square fountain.  In warmer months, he'll get up early, splash off in the fountain, then come gather his things and leave for the day.

He also regularly digs through the dumpster for stuff he can use or sell.

Problem Child use to freak out when she saw him.  She wanted me to call the cops to have them take him off.  When I could, I'd bring him bottles of water and/or food we might have in the office.  This use to make her mad.

Today, being mardi gras, I had a king cake I'd made for the office.  About lunch time, I took some over to share with   friends in a neighboring office and noticed the homeless guy digging through the dumpster.  When I left work at the end of the day, he was still at "work."

I sat in my car and watched him for a minute.  I'd been blasted by cold air leaving the office.  I noticed he'd found a bright purple pair of sweat pants he'd put over his jeans.  He was trying on a pair of shoes he'd found in the dumpster.  I went back into the office, grabbed a bottle of water and cut a large portion of cake.  I wrapped up the cake on a plate with a napkin and fork in foil and took it out to him.

He danced as if he were on Bourbon Street.  I don't think he even heard me tell him that the homeless shelter would be open with no restrictions due to the cold.

I hope he wandered over to the shelter tonight.  I can't believe how rich I am, sometimes.  And, I can't believe that there are folks who would shrug and act as if the fact someone could freeze to death for lack of warm, safe places wasn't their problem.  Don't ever tell me you're "pro-life" if you'd throw this guy's life away to save a few pennies on your taxes.

Denial kicking in

I don't know if I should be angry, confused, horrified, or making plans to move to a Scandinavian country.  The American humans seem to be enthralled by The Donald as a presidential candidate.  Originally, I think most folks thought this was some fringe effort on his part, and soon another candidate would emerge and he'd be forgotten.  But, the media seems to be fanning the flames and the other candidates seem to not know exactly how to respond to this wack job's antics.

So much of his rhetoric makes me wonder if he's not pulling the greatest troll job ever.  A few weeks ago, the Phenom and I had this semi-serious conversation based on the scenario that The Donald manages to be elected President and then when he realizes the financial hit and responsibilities/restrictions the position imposes, refuses to take the oath of office and what sort of constitutional crisis would that create?

Last night, a friend and I played a game of "what could The Donald have to do to get the majority of the American public to turn against him?"

She suggested burning a flag and a bible inside a church.  My suggestion was him being caught on a hot mike scheming to sell this "effin' country" to the Chinese and make billions and billions of dollars on these rubes"  . . . and of course we had several sexual and violent suggestions.  But, in the end, we were dismayed to admit that in all of our imagination, we could not come up with a scene in which he would lose ALL support . . . some asshat out there would still be a fan boy/girl.

Sigh.

The next move is ours

I admit, and there were witnesses so denying it won't do me much good, I got a tad teary when SCOTUS released the DOMA and Prop 8 rulings.  In my mind, their decisions were just the logical and right thing to do.  If the government is going to grant benefits to people who are married, then they have to grant those benefits to EVERYONE who is married.  Or, they need to start issuing their own certificates of marriage or domestic partnership or what have you.

But, as with everyone else in the country, there was an emotional part to my response.

I firmly believe that those of us who have state sanctioned marriages have the responsibility to speak up and support those the states still discriminate against.  But, there is more . . . I know too many people who either can't get married or their marriages are treated like a novelty because they are gay.  And, I have a young friend, still a high schooler, who is gay . . . and I want to know that when she's ready (if) to get married, all she needs to worry about is what she's going to wear and what the vows are going to be and if there is enough champagne to go around.

But, this ruling didn't change much for the vast majority of the American population.  It's up to us, now, to get marriage equality passed everywhere.  Now, GO!

Knuckle Draggers

I listened to a good portion of the oral arguments to the Supreme Court today over the Prop. 8 issue.  Frankly, I am flabbergasted that the primary argument to keep homosexual people from enjoying the many, many benefits of legal marriage is heterosexual reproduction.   Really?  So, a marriage that cannot naturally produce children is invalid?  And, the response to Justice Kagan's query about denying marriage licenses when both partners are over the age of 55, was to argue that "one of the partners would remain fertile" ? WTF!!!?  If you are so concerned that children be born of heterosexual, monogamous marriages . . . aren't you killing your argument to point out that children could still be conceived outside this particular marriage?

But, there is a much broader issue brought up by this argument.  Nearly half of all babies born now are born outside a heterosexual, legal marriage.  And, many legally married, heterosexual couples cannot produce children without outside intervention or assistance.  If "protecting" legal marriage were only about insuring that children are conceived naturally and born into stable, two parent households, then making sure the thousands of children already living with same-sex parents have the legal safety-net that marriage affords to their parents would be an easy and natural decision.  And, if it is the state's primary concern to regulate the production of children, then they should require a fertility test of all persons seeking to legally marry . . . and extract a pledge that they will, in fact, choose to reproduce.

Recent media reports are that one of the factors driving conservatives to accept (if not actually embrace) same-sex marriage is personally knowing a gay person.  If personal experience is what is truly changing people's minds . . . then gay marriage isn't about morals or religion or "how it's always been done" . . . and that makes those folks who viciously oppose it even more ridiculous.

Blame the media

All media . . . traditional, social, all of it.  Now, I'm a big fan of social media and the interwebs.  I try to restrain myself from the overshare, but I do appreicate the voyeristic look into the lives of people I know, use to know, wish I knew. 

But, I think we are headed down a slippery slope.  From the vague facebook statuses that beg for attention and affirmation, to the spreading of misinformation and ignorance, to the opening up of a forum for every moron with a smart phone . . . we are a doomed people. 

Want proof?  It use to be that former presidents could accomplish diplomatic missions when the president couldn't be seen as traveling or taking a side in a sticky spot.  Now, Dennis Rodman is our representative.  Really?  We are doomed.  DOOMED.

Eye Twitch

The other day, I finally managed to make it to the hair appointment that I missed in December.  As I was sitting there, feeling all comfortable with the non-mutual grooming (mutual grooming at the hair dressers, I've learned, is a no-no) when the asshat sitting in the chair next to me decided to read aloud a meme he'd gotten through the emails.  It compared the various ways people die in this country . . . how many by assault rifle, how many by claw hammers, how many from medical malpractice.  The point of the email was to point out that you are "600 times more likely to die from medical malpractice than an assault rifle."  And, he went on the observe that you are more likely to die from "Obamacare" than assault rifles (making assault rifles safe, right?). 

So, now the Obama administration is responsible for all medical practice in the country?  Sigh.  Such a failure of the American educational system that such a STUPID leap of non-logic could be made. 

Reforming our medical system is not a new issue.  Remember, the Clintons tried to initiate some healthcare reform only to find that actually addressing the issues that break our health care system is a politically untouchable issue?  

Americans still say that our health care system isn't adequate.  Generally, that means that we think the system in place now isn't priced at a reasonable level, there isn't adequate accountability for doctors beyond long, drawn out law suits in which the lawyers benefit most, and generally, to get the services we need, it's a hassle.  Health insurance and big pharma make money hand over fist while holding the fates of peoples' lives in their greedy little hands.  It was this way before Obama, and trust me . . . no matter what the current government does . . . it will continue to be this way, until people are more trustworthy and less douche-y.

However, perhaps if we actually invested in education (not the systems that run/ruin education) we might be able to have thoughtful, meaningful, and productive discussions about healthcare, equality, and lowering the douche factor around the country.

Better

True story: several years ago, my SMLF pals decided we should open a craft store and call it "Faux Shizzle."  Because white peeps instantly think they are hip and cool if they adopt Snoop Dogg speak.

Today, I found gizoogle.  On the site, which is dedicated to helping folks translate Snoop Dogg speak, they have a site translator.  Yes! You can translate your favorite (or least favorite but oft visited due to various obligations) site into Snoop Dogg.

Of course, I tried this site.  And, was happy to see that my previous post "Dear Mr. Romney" was far superior in Snoop Dogg.  See. . . .

Every morning, I check mah "lyrics wit playas" game n' "facebook" while, um, attendin ta mornin needs. This morning, I saw a rap posted on FB dat elaborated on Mista Muthafuckin Romneyz recent commentz bout tha "gifts" Obizzay gave ta non-white n' lil' votas ta "buy" tha erection. Dude holla'd dat Obizzay gave up "free constipation" which was ghettofab wit lil' college aged dem hoes.

Then, I realized dat like Mista Muthafuckin Romney has never been up in tha posizzle ta know anythang bout contraceptives. Dude be a playa up in his 60s, n' mormon, hooked up lil' n' had only sons. Perhaps he never had ta learn tha mo' delicate details of, yo ass know, "down there."

First off, it aint "free" constipation . . . itz no co-pay constipation. That means tha "college aged women" whoz ass benefit from dis "gift" is either covered by school based and they muthafathas' insurizzle. So, game insurizzle g-unitz (you know, g-unitz yo ass probably have some investment in) benefit from no co-pay contraceptives. Even if they pay up mo' fo' tha prescription coverage, tha premiums is priced such dat tha g-unitz (and shareholdaz . . . yo ass know bout shareholdas, don't yo ass Mista Muthafuckin Romney?) cook up a profit.

But, yo ass know whoz ass else benefitz from no co-pay contraceptives? Young men. These days, lil' pimps is bombarded by a culture dat drops some lyrics ta em they need ta bust a nut on as nuff dem hoes as possible up in order ta be thought "manly." While they is hittin dat shizzle all up in becomin mature enough ta ignore these cultural lyrics, they surely aren't locked n loaded ta become muthafathas. But, not just lil' pimps benefit from no co-pay contraceptives . . . so do full grown adult men, hooked up n' not. And, lookin around tha shizzle these days, it would step tha fuck up dat gangstas whoz ass is screwin around outside they marriages, also benefit from no co-pay contraceptives.

Not just lil' pimps n' women, n' adult pimps share up in dis benefit. But, also hooked up couples. Hooked Up couplez whoz ass understand dat plannin they crews will help give em opportunitizzles ta give they lil pimps tha upbrangin they want fo' they children. Not havin ta pay dat $30 - $50 a month fo' pizzlez means mo' scrilla ta pay fo' yo' sonz trumpet and fill up tha mini-van fo' yo' daughterz bizzle crew tournaments. Additionizzlely, dem hoes whoz ass have just given birth benefit from no co-pay contraceptives cuz they understand dat spacin up they pregnancies is mo' betta fo' they game n' tha game of future babies.

So, Mista Muthafuckin Romney, fuckin shitloadz n' fuckin shitloadz of gangstas benefit from tha "gift" of no co-pay contraceptives. Which might explain why yo ass lost mo' than just tha lil' womens' vote.

Don't you love it too?  Of course, as far as Romney is concerned, this might as well be Korean.

Dear Mr. Romney

Every morning, I check my "words with friends" games and "facebook" while, um, attending to morning needs.  This morning, I saw a story posted on FB that elaborated on Mr. Romney's recent comments about the "gifts" Obama gave to non-white and young voters to "buy" the election.  He said that Obama gave out "free contraception" which was popular with young college aged women. 

Then, I realized that perhaps Mr. Romney has never been in the position to know anything about contraceptives.  He is a man in his 60s, and mormon, married young and had only sons.  Perhaps he never had to learn the more delicate details of, you know, "down there."   

First off, it isn't "free" contraception . . . it's no co-pay contraception.  That means the "college aged women" who benefit from this "gift" are either covered by school based or their parents' insurance.  So, health insurance companies (you know, companies you probably have some investment in) benefit from no co-pay contraceptives.  Even if they pay out more for the prescription coverage, the premiums are priced such that the companies (and shareholders . . . you know about shareholders, don't you Mr. Romney?) make a profit.

But, you know who else benefits from no co-pay contraceptives?  Young men.  These days, young men are bombarded by a culture that tells them they need to have sex with as many women as possible in order to be thought "manly."  While they are working through becoming mature enough to ignore these cultural messages, they surely aren't ready to become parents.   But, not just young men benefit from no co-pay contraceptives . . . so do full grown adult men, married and not.  And, looking around the news these days, it would appear that people who are screwing around outside their marriages, also benefit from no co-pay contraceptives.

Not just young men and women, and adult men share in this benefit.  But, also married couples.  Married couples who understand that planning their families will help give them opportunities to give their children the upbringing they want for their children.  Not having to pay that $30 - $50 a month for pills means more money to pay for your son's trumpet or fill up the mini-van for your daughter's ball team tournaments.  Additionally, women who have just given birth benefit from no co-pay contraceptives because they understand that spacing out their pregnancies is better for their health and the health of future babies.

So, Mr. Romney, lots and lots of people benefit from the "gift" of no co-pay contraceptives.  Which might explain why you lost more than just the young womens' vote.

Off on a tangent

The other night, Salon posted an article calling out Jezebel for crossing a journalistic line.  Jezebel posted an article about the racist, hateful tweets being posted post election results.  They noticed that many of the really horrible tweets were coming from school kids who clearly identified their schools on their public twitter feeds.  Jezebel looked up the schools, in several cases were able to read the student handbooks, and contacted schools to ask if they were aware of the tweets and how they were responding, given handbook rules admonishing against such hateful speech.  They then posted an article describing the various responses or lack of response they got from the schools.

Several kids tried to claim their accounts had been hacked.  Several twitter accounts were deleted, and some didn't seem to be altered a bit.

Jezebel claims that this was a teaching moment, and that they wanted to know if schools were taking that opportunity.  Salon cried foul.  They said that it wasn't "fair" for Jezebel to put these young peoples' futures in danger over youthful stupidity.

I disagree.  I am dismayed when I see, time after time, people misunderstand the first amendment to believe that all speech is covered and that you are violating rights by expecting people to stand by their words.  I agree that this was the perfect opportunity to teach kids that with the right of freedom of speech, comes responsibility.  If you are going to post in public forums hateful, violent, racist, or bullying statements, you have to be willing to take responsibility for the fall out.  And, I believe it is the responsibility of the electronic universe to call out people for posting hateful, violent, racist, sexist, and/or bullying statements.

But, I can't help but wonder why the GOP or the Romney campaign isn't stepping up?  Quite a few of the offensive posts included @ and # to the Romney campaign.  Without a doubt, the GOP and the Romney campaign are well aware of the words of people who wish to associate themselves with those organizations' platforms.  And, given the obvious problems the GOP has with female and/or non-white voters, you'd think they would earn some street cred to come out against such posts and telling people who cite them in such posts to cut it out and even look into legal action for threatening and/or illegal posts.  You'd think they'd want that, right?

Delightful

By the time I got home from work yesterday, I'd had it.  I was sick to death of the hyperbole on facebook . . . the media predicting this or that.  The end of the world is at hand!!!

When we sat down to dinner, Phenom turned on CNN.  I said I didn't want to see any election coverage at that early hour.  The polls had not yet closed in most states, including our own, and so all the media would be able to do is hype.  And, really, haven't we had enough hype?

Later, I logged onto face book and spent the evening chatting with my oldest, dearest friend in the world.  We talked about politics lightly, but mostly we were silly and funny.  (She'd had this creepy dream in which she'd married a co-worker and it was this very lavish 18th century deal. . . )  While we were goofing off, I could occassionally glance up and see posts and track how things were going, or not.  I could joke with my friend about the person I know who use to claim she were this big ol' liberal who voted for the "right" guy but actually voted for Dubya TWICE, and keep from worrying too much about the outcome of this election.

Then, when "liking" a post from a friend who feared that her wine supply might run out before the election results were in . . . one of her friends said that her media outlet had just called Ohio for Obama.  And, shortly thereafter, media outlets started calling the election for Obama.  It was a fun, low stress way of watching the returns, and now my friend and I don't have to move to a country with socialized medicine and a more progressive view on personal relationships . . . yet.

In the name of

Phenom says that his father always took him to vote.  He says that his father always voted for democrats, but wouldn't ever fill in the "straight party ticket" bubble.  No, his father gleefully filled in each bubble for each democrat on the ticket.  I do the same thing.  Truth be told, I've never been able to bring myself to vote for a republican.  I just can't.  Even if the individual is a decent human, the party platform is just so hateful.

So, today, when I filled in each bubble individually, I thought of Phenom's father. 

Earlier this fall, as the Old Woman was dying, one of her grandchildren married.  This child's sister put together a scrap book of letters and memories from women in the bride's life.  Because the Old Woman was not able to contribute, herself, I wrote a letter on her behalf. 

Now, if I could just figure out how to vote on her behalf . . . she'd want me to do that right? 

Julia Sugarbaker says it all

I spent way too much time coasting the couch this week and trying to hork up my lungs.  It seems that blowing my nose only encouraged the production of more snot.  The upside was that I got to catch up on my day time television viewing.  I discovered a channel that plays several episodes of Designing Women back to back.

I just love how this show, some 20 plus years old still holds true today.  Preach it Julia!!

The Trouble with Newt

I find it pretty amazing that the media hones in on Newt's long history of marital infidelities as possibly making him questionable as presidential material.  They seem to have forgotten, completely, that he was forced to resign from congress because of ethics issues.  I'm thinking that ethics violations sufficient to make congress tell you to pack your bags and leave the key on the front table on your way out automatically negates your fitness for the presidency.

But, my issues with Newt are a lot more personal.  Remember that speech where he said poor children don't have the ethic of showing up every Monday? Putting in a full day?  (I thought we trained that into all children, irregardless of socio-economic status, by making school attendance compulsory.)  His self-righteous, mean-spirited, ignorant spewing of his opinion of poor children (as if they were truly the problem bringing down wall street . . . what with their wanting to go to quality schools and eat and be safe in their homes) he reminds me of the Old Man.

As much as I love the Old Man, he suffers from "white old man" syndrome.  He is stuck, in his own mind, in a time where work was harder, walking to school barefooted in the snow up-hill both ways was harder, and a nickel bought a whole lot more era of his life.  The fact of the matter is, in the "good old days" people were pining for another era they thought were easier, simpler.

You'll never move ahead if you spend all your time looking in the past.  I think it's time for Newt to take his nostalgia and find a quiet beach house somewhere, and leave good, hard-working, folks alone.

One fell off

Finally! Cain has "suspended" his presidential campaign. I imagine that he can't bring himself to admit it's finally over for good. I shudder over the thought that he thinks that in a month, when the media feeding frenzy has looked for new bait, he'll come roaring back to a country with open arms. Ick. But, he does get big ol' cool points for bringing Pokemon into the realm of national politics, right?

As a living being, I find his arrogance and narcissism offensive. I have tremendous sympathy for his family. I imagine that they viewed this presidential run as "daddy's little project that keeps him busy and out of our business." I hope that his family can take on the attitude that all of his dirty deeds/laundry that has been aired thus far was the wages of sin, and not a reflection on them.

Now, if all you kids who will be 21 by Nov. 12, 2012 will vote for Rick Perry... Honestly, he reminds me of the weatherman character on Ron Burgundy.

Talk Sexy to Us

I haven't decided if Bachman has just gone way way off her talking points or if she has crafted a campaign based solely on controlling the sex lives of the entire nation.

I know the media hones in on a message and beats it to death and beyond. And, a little part of me wonders if the all sex talk all the time media portrayal of Michelle Bachman isn't because she's a chick. Rick Perry is just as messed up about sex, but we see media coverage of other issues with him.

On the other hand, we have a candidate that seems to allowed her campaign to be totally derailed by sex issues. She submits to her husband . . . she doesn't want sex ed to be taught in schools . . . she thinks gay people should be denied rights granted to non-gay people by birthright . . . she doesn't think women should have easy access to contraceptives and/or preventative reproductive health care . . . she seems to think that the handful(s) of girls/women who develop cancer each year from a virus are expendable.

For a party who thumps their chests and claims to believe in big government staying out of our lives, they sure love to know/want to control what we're doing during sexy-sexy time.

FREEDOM!!!

I admit, my political leanings go more towards the pinko/bed-wetting/liberal end of the spectrum. However, I do know several people who are more liberal in their views than I am, or more vocal about it, so I think I'm not extreme. Perhaps just extreme for the bible-belt south.

Over the years, sadly, I've more or less learned to select my audiences carefully. I generally keep my discomfort with the group think to myself.

Last night, I actually expressed a couple of my thoughts, and that was the breach in the damn we needed.

Phenom and I had this very nerdy, deep-thoughts type of discussion about the current state of things. And, I think it's important to understand the difference between being dismayed over what our leaders are doing, and the sacrifices of individual soldiers. But, I'm not sure how fighting in Iraq or Iran or Korea or Libya right now is actually "preserving our freedom."

I think we need to consider more carefully how we define "freedom." I argued with Phenom that my assumption is that a good majority of people in this country believe that they have the "freedom" to say and do pretty much anything they want, shy of murder or buggering children. I would further argue that this is a substantial group of people who define their "freedom" as having the right to impose themselves on other people's freedoms. We have freedom of religion, but that gives me the right to say that your religious belief system is wrong and ought to be outlawed, right?

Maybe, before we thump our chests, deny rights to groups of people who are weaker or smaller, and go marching off to impose our way of thinking on others, we need to think a little more deeply about what we really mean when we toss the word freedom around.

Same conversation, different day

Today I read an article about how being "dumb" pays off for GOP candidates. The article pointed out that two of the last three elected GOP presidents were generally considered be not be the brightest bulb on the christmas tree.

ESK and I stepped outside for her mid-morning smoke break and discussed. We pointed out that in constrast to the GOP presidents, the last three Democrats elected to the highest office were, in fact, smart.

We also like to consider ourselves to be on the smarter end of the spectrum. We also joke about the extreme degree to which we are both rule followers. And, we don't wield untold power. We aren't fabulously rich or famous. And, clearly, we screwed up by working hard and studying hard and following all those rules.

sigh.

Pot of Gold

Years ago, I use to try to entice the Phenom into running for president. My logic was that an early candidacy wouldn't be expensive and for the rest of your life, you would have to be introduced as "former presidential candidate" . . . The Phenom. Imagine the free cups of coffee and small town parades you'd be invited to grand marshall?

Then, more recently, a politically minded group of women asked me to join their efforts to get a woman on the presidential ballot. I figured my contributions to their efforts would lead, naturally, to a push for a non-human on the ballot. Of course, these women were liberally minded sorts and I'm pretty sure they disbanded once Sarah Palin arrived on the scene. Technically, they got what they wanted but totally in a "be careful what you ask for" sort of way.

I think I need to revive the push to getting either Phenom or myself to run for the highest office. It would be like winning the Lotto! Apparently, these days, you don't even really have to actually run . . . just scare people about you "mulling over" the possibility . . . and suddenly you have fame! notoriety! UNTOLD RICHES!!!

And, you don't have to damn your soul to hell with sinful gambling. Win-Win . . . right?

Keys to the Kingdom

I ran into an old friend/former intern yesterday. She is living the American Dream these days. She owns a successful, small business. She is very happily married. She has a new baby. She has a beautiful home. And, she is surrounded by a loving and supportive family and community.

And, her baby has recently been selected to be the "advertising baby" for a company with outlets across the country. She said she normally wouldn't have entered her baby in such a contest, except that this company promotes healthy/happy babies and families rather than baby beauty pageants.

Here is the beautiful thing about her story. She was the first person in her family to go to college. When she was a teenager, she was selected to participate in a youth-works program that gave her a job and career training. Her summer job in a professional office (rather than slinging fast food) inspired her to work hard to get scholarships for college. She worked, sometimes two jobs, while in school. She won a fellowship for graduate studies.

Her hard work has created a positive role model for other young people in her family, and now a whole generation of children in her family are working towards/are attending college.

I hate to think of the future community leaders we'll miss out on because of cuts to funding for youth programming. An education . . . mentors . . . opportunities are the keys to the kingdom. Sadly, we're locking too many people out these days.

Politics and dicks

Yet another male politician has been diddling around. Given our society's total weirdness about sex . . . that on one hand it's taboo but on the other we're surrounded by it and its all about power and status, it shouldn't be surprising.

And, the details of the infidelity are pretty scandalous. The mistress wasn't some shadowy person wholly unknown to the family, but a pseudo member of the family.

But, it always brings up the issue of, can a person be a buggering creep but a good political leader?

We had this conversation with Clinton. And, whereas I think there are some outcomes from Clinton's presidency that were good for citizens, I think he made himself a laughing stock, and still is something of the butt of jokes.

We have a person who wants to be taken seriously as a presidential candidate now who has a very public history of infidelity. Although, he says his infidelity was a result of his patriotism. Right.

My feeling is that if you can cheat on and lie to the person you stood up at the front of a church and every person who cares about you and promised to be faithful to and respectful of, then what would stop you from cheating me? Lying to me? You don't ever have to see my face across the dinner table. You don't even actually know I exist.

I can't help but think that infidelity, publicly humiliating your spouse and family, and day in/day out lies are a character flaw we should take seriously in elected leaders. It also demonstrates a lack of restraint and overblown sense of entitlement that is fairly unattractive in people you trust to make sound decisions.