Tag rick scott fangate

I had a very busy evening.  Even though it wasn’t raining there was still a lot of standing water in the yard.  Well I needed to mow anyway.  Mowing on  waterlogged, muddy grass requires a different mowing technique.  When entering an area that still was very wet I had to make sure I was hitting the spot in a straight line and with adequate momentum.  Failure to do either of these things could easily result in the tractor getting stuck in the bog.  You do more sliding  than turning in these sort of conditions.  By the time I was done I was able to knock down the majority of the grass but many spots in the yard looked like a 4 wheeler was let loose to wreak havoc.  Normally I would have just let the grass alone since it was still so wet but since my dad is visiting this weekend I wanted to get it done.

While I was mowing I had the chickens roaming around, they absolutely loved following behind me, harvesting the freshly mowed grass for bugs.  When we first got the chickens they were terrified of the mower and wanted nothing to do with it.  Now in the same manner they have warmed up to Cindy and I, the tractor is now not so scary.  Gaining their trust has been a fun experience.  Seeing how even chickens have personality, curiosity and playfulness makes me so happy that I no longer support the industry responsible for subjecting these animals to such cruelty.

While we were eating dinner we stumbled across the second Florida governor debate.  My dislike of the current Florida governor Rick Scott is well documented. His opponent, Charlie Crist, actually was the governor of Florida as a moderate republican from 2007-2011.  He has since changed his party affiliation to democrat, reenforcing my already favorable opinion of him.

Unfortunately I tuned in after #fangate, which was a great way to illustrate just how much of an a-hole Rick Scott is.  When Charlie Crist does public speaking he prefers to have a small portable fan with him to help keep cool.  In the debate guidelines Charlie even had use of the fan explicitly included.  Well shortly before the debate was about to begin Rick Scott had a shit fit, saying that use of the portable fan was in violation of the “no electronics” provision.  This provision is to prevent candidates from looking at notes/messages on a portable device during a debate as a crutch.  Anyone with half a brain would realize that a fan does not give a candidate an advantage with speaking points.

Well Rick proceeded to act like a child, threatening to not participate in the debate unless the fan was removed.  The debate was actually delayed for 7-8 minutes until someone thankfully talked sense into Scott, realizing that he was looking bad with his temper tantrum over something so insignificant.  The fan stayed despite Scott’s whining.

When the actual question and answers started flowing the difference between the two candidates was staggering.   Scott, in almost a Sarah Palin-like manner had a few go to zingers he relied heavily on, often inappropriately wedged in because he had nothing else to say. I was amazed just how awkward, nervous, and unpolished Scott was on stage.  He spoke too fast and often in broken/incomplete sentences.  His attacks on Crist were clumsy and delivered in such a way that carried no weight.  The biggest tool he had in the box was that Crist was governor when the entire country was in free fall.  Scott tried to make the point that somehow Crist was largely responsible for how the nationwide fiscal crisis affected Florida which is utterly ridiculous.

When Scott was asked questions that were intended to get him to clearly offer an opinion he more often than not talked awkward circles around it.  I found it especially entertaining when he was asked about his opinion on gay marriage and he gave a non-answer, refusing to endorse or condone it.  The debate panelist pressed him, pointing out he did not actually answer the question.  Scott spit out the same non-answer.  It was ridiculous.

In contrast Charlie handled the questions and barbs from Scott intelligently and with little difficulty.  He had no issues giving Scott some strong counter punches, including reaffirming the biggest and incredulous skeleton in Rick’s closet, his management of the company that was whacked with the biggest fine in US history for Medicare fraud and how Tricky Rick pleaded the 5th something like 75 times during the proceedings.  The fact that Scott was able to get elected the first time with this in his background is still astonishing to me but a testament to the ability of lots of money to sway the opinions of the lightly informed masses.

Pretty much ever single issue that was presented to the candidates I found myself aligned with Crist’s position and opposed to Scott.  Of course the appearance and likability between the two candidates is not even close.  Charlie carries himself so much better and is the more likeable candidate by a huge margin.

I was laughing out loud at Scott’s closing remarks which were delivered in the same clumsy manner as the rest of the debate.  He closed with saying something in haitian and spanish in a manner a 6 year old Russian kid would read the Gettysburg address.  It was simply awful and transparent.

Seeing the debate deepened my inner disgust that the governor race is supposedly neck and neck.  Contrasting the two candidates side by side makes it seem impossible to me that Scott is within 10 points of Charlie.  If Scott somehow manages to buy himself into a second term utilizing the financial juggernaut at his command to once again brainwash the sheep it will indeed be a very sad day in the Sunshine State.

After watching the debate I still had more to do.  I needed to get presents wrapped for Cindy’s birthday which is Friday.  After that Cindy and I worked on splitting up 800 race timing bibs into 32 envelopes for the cross country meet I am timing on Saturday.  Thank goodness Cindy helped me.

Last night we finished up season one of The Strain.  Although the show isn’t on the same level as Walking Dead or Breaking Bad I still enjoyed it and look forward to season two.

I talked to my dad and step mom last night.  They left yesterday from western PA on their trek down to Florida.  They are using a less aggressive driving plan, not arriving until Friday.  They made it into North Carolina on day one.  So far the trip seems to be going well.

Today is my sister Torrin’s birthday.  I know it’s a tough day for her since it will be her first one since my mom passed away.  Torrin spoke to mom more often than anyone else and I know her death has been very, very hard for her.  When she came down to Florida we leaned on each other to get through the emotional wringer.  It made me feel closer to Torrin. I hope I can continue to receive and offer her as much support as she needs from now on.