Ballsy Boston Broad

After months of neglect and inactivity, I have decided to resurrect my blog.  I figured I would mark my entry back into the blogosphere by simply commenting on a few items that dominated the news cycle this past week.

First up…Snarlen Arlen Specter jumping ship to join the Democratic Party. 
What bothers me the most is not Specter leaving the GOP, but simply the thought of the smirk on Harry Reid’s face and the sound of Nancy Pelosi’s cackling when the announcement was made.  If the Democrats were not so close to attaining a 60 vote filibuster proof majority in the Senate, most Republicans would be jumping with glee that the unpredictable, left-leaning Specter flew the coup. In fact many, most notably, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, would have held the door for him on his way out.  If Specter had switched parties prior to the 2004 election when Republicans were firmly in control of Congress, conservative lawmakers would have been skipping down the halls of the Capitol shouting the words to Kelly Clarkson’s song “Since You Been Gone.”

In an Op-Ed in the NY Times titled, “We Didn’t Have to Lose Arlen Specter,” Sen. Olympia Snowe argues that the demise of the GOP in recent elections can be attributed to its hard-line stance and accentuation of social issues, as well as the party’s lackluster attempts to reach out to independent and swing-vote moderates.  She writes, “There is no plausible scenario under which Republicans can grow into a majority while shrinking our ideological confines and continuing to retract into a regional party. Ideological purity is not the ticket back to the promised land of governing majorities — indeed, it was when we began to emphasize social issues to the detriment of some of our basic tenets as a party that we encountered an electoral backlash.”

There is no doubt Snowe is right on with her assessment of the Republican Party.  However, I don’t think that the current state of the GOP had anything to do with why Specter pulled a Benedict Arnold.  Specter did not leave based on principle.  He left solely because of political viability.  Let’s face it, that right-wing nut Pat Toomey would have kicked his skinny ass in the GOP primary.  Specter left for his own political interests.  He would have joined the Bull Moose, Green or hell even Constitutional Party if that is what it would take for him to win in the general election.  It was a low blow move that exposed him for the spineless bastard that he is.  In his official statement, Specter claimed he made the switch because he is “deeply concerned about the future of the country.”  (laughing uncontrollably) Puh-lease, that is complete bullshit.  I believe that as much as I believe O.J. Simpson is innocent. He made the switch out of pure political expedience.

The bottom line, as this ballsy broad from Boston sees it, is this: the Republican Party will be better off without Arlen Specter. And soon enough, so too will the United States Senate if the voters in Pennsylvania can see that the emperor has no clothes on.

Next up…Justice David Souter announces he will be retiring from the Court. 
Well, I will admit this came as a bit of a surprise.  Given her highly publicized battle with pancreatic cancer,I figured poor Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg would be the first to leave.  If not her, then my money would have been on Justice John Paul Stevens, at least he is in my death pool.  No doubt, Souter was a disappointment to conservatives during his tenure on the Court.  Clearly the team that vetted Souter was about as competent as the team that is charged with vetting Obama’s Secretary of Commerce picks.

It’s only been one day and I already have a headache from Sean Hannity’s bitching and moaning.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Hannity, but he needs to get it through that thick head of his that Republicans are in the MINORITY now.  When Justice Rehnquist died and Justice O’Connor retired, former President George W. Bush got to hand pick Justices Alito and Roberts, two individuals who prescribe to a similar judicial philosophy as he does.  That is one of the major privileges of being President.  So for Christ sake, let President Obama choose whoever the hell he wants.  I certainly do not want to see some Ginsburg clone on the Court, but it is Obama’s privilege to appoint whoever he damn well wants.  If he appoints friggin Gloria Steinem or Keith Olbermann to sit on the Court, that is his right to do so.  So can Republicans just shut the *&%# up!  If the GOP wants to have more influence in future Court appointments, it will first have to go back to winning elections.  And if you look at the results of NY-20, it is clear the Party has a lot of work to do!

On that note, reports this week highlighted the GOP’s efforts “re-brand” and “reenergize” itself given its pathetic state right now.  CNN, Fox News and Politico all highlighted the first of a series of forums and town hall meetings titled, “the National Council for a New America” to engage the American public in policy discussion.  What a friggin joke!  Just look at the headliners of the Council…former Gov. Jeb Bush?!?  Umm, if I were in charge of the GOP, I would not let a member of the Bush family 20 feet near any attempt to revamp the Party.  God love the Bush family, but the American people are tired of them.  No one wants another Bush to be President…..EVER.  Just go away.  Jeb was not a bad Governor in any sense of the word, but unfortunately his father and brother tainted his political career.  Please Jeb, just go clear some brush with Dad and Georgey boy on the ranch….As for Sen. John McCain…please people are more interested in what his daughter Megan has to say.

Miss California rocks the boat in Hollywood
Listen, let me be clear.  Despite being a Catholic and a Republican, I am 100% for gay marriage.  The union between a man and a woman is about as sacred as the divorce rate in this country.  But with that said, I believe that Miss California has every right to express her opinion on the matter just like Hollywood celebrities have the right to express theirs. Boob job aside, leave the poor girl alone! Let her believe what she believes. As far as Perez Hilton goes…buddy, how is your “ghost writer” these days?!?! You sham!  My point is Hollywood would not be attacking her if she gave a poorly worded argument in favor of gay marriage. Miss California is a beauty contestant not a public policy advocate.  Criticisms of her evening gown are warranted, criticisms of her political viewpoints are not.

Jon & Kate Plus 8 Dad Caught with other woman
Normally, I would harshly condemn any man for allegedly sneaking around on his wife. But in this instance, I have sympathy for poor Jon. Cmon, let’s be real. Kate is an over controlling, nagging, bitch. Wouldn’t you cheat on her too? Hell the guy is a friggin saint for having to put up with her and their 8 rugrats.  Can you say “Kate minus 1?”

Swine Flu Panic
Eh, wash your hands.  I am tired of hearing about it.

1) Dating is really nothing more than a stand-up comedy routine. 
Every dater has their routine well rehearsed in advance.  We all go into a date knowing what we want to reveal about ourselves and the questions we want to ask about our date.  On dates, people tell the same jokes, recount the same old stories and recite the same biographical talking points that they do on all first dates.  Once in a while you might come up with the nerve to try out some new material, but by and large we have our acts down pat.  At the end of the date, you either get cheers or jeers.  If you get a goodnight kiss you know your act got a standing ovation….if, on the other hand, you get a hug and a “I’ll give you a call sometime” you know you struck out that night. 

2) Men are cheap. 
Sorry boys, but it’s true.  For Christ sake, if YOU ask a lady on date, then YOU pay.  It’s not rocket science.  I don’t care if its dinner, drinks or coffee.  You damn well better fork it over when the bill comes.  Don’t let the bill just sit there or even give her time to reach for her purse.  As soon as the waiter or bartender places the bill down on the table, you better reach for it quicker than a fat kid for a twinkie.  Yes, I totally admit that the dating game favors women with respect to paying, but if men knew how much more time it takes women to primp and get ready to go out, then I argue it really all evens out in the end. 

3) Chivalry is dead. 
(I hear the sound of taps in the background)…R.I.P. Chivalry.  While I concede that it may be resurrected here and there by a few Southern and Midwestern gentlemen out there, it has been six feet under for decades, especially amongst East coast men.  Men—is it really hard to open a door for a lady or text a girl after a date to make sure she got home, ok?  I mean c’mon it does not take a lot of effort on your part.  I think the death of chivalry can be attributed to the absence of fathers in young boys’ lives, as well as those friggin nutcase feminists who instilled a sense of fear in men that chivalrous acts are condescending, but whatever the case may be, it’s time to shape up boys! 

4) Women overanalyze everything. 
Women, c’mon…It’s really simple to tell if a guy likes you. You don’t need an Ivy League degree to know whether a guy “is just not that into you.”  It’s really quite simple. If he calls you after a date and asks you on another date that same night, then he is interested.  If he doesn’t, well then I am sorry but he is not.  Give him no more than a week to ask you out again, then cut him loose and move on.  Don’t make up all these outrageous and unrealistic scenarios in your mind of why he is not calling you.  And most important, don’t go looking for things you could have done differently.  The point is that a woman knows in her gut if she is being treated “right.”  If you are not, then is it’s not meant to be.

5) Women Should Seek Out Older Men. 
No, I am not saying that older men are nicer, kinder, more loyal…rather men mature at a slower rate than women.  I would guess at a rate of 4 years.  Of course that rate is open to much debate.  So as I figure it, it a woman goes on a date with a 30 year old guy, she is really dating a man with a 26 year old mindset and mentality. 

Well, let me begin by saying it’s been an interesting week in the world of politics.  House speaker Nancy Pelosi declared herself to be nonpartisan, Governor Blogojevich got the unanimous heave ho, Nancy Pelosi declared herself to be nonpartisan, Governor Patterson stuck it to the Kennedy clan by appointing Kirsten Gillanbrand to fill Hillary Clinton’s vacant Senate Seat, and Nancy Pelosi declared herself to be nonpartisan.  With all the drama, scandal and partisan bickering, you have to wonder when is the “Change” coming?

First things first, CONGRATULATIONS Michael Steele!  After the Republican shit show that played out during the last few weeks, I was happy to learn that Steel was elected as RNC Chair.  (Thank god it was not that nutcase Blackwell.)  I have long been a proponent of Mr. Steele’s and especially a fan of his work as a contributor on the Fox News Channel!  I think his vision will help the Republican Party finally emerge from the dark ages.  I think he will go to great efforts to bring more people, particularly minorities and women, into the GOP ranks.  Ok, well let’s be real.  This ain’t likely to happen while Obama is President, nevertheless he has the right intentions.  Moreover, he is not afraid to criticize his Republican colleagues and was quite a vocal opponent of the party during the Bush years.  Most important, Steele was endorsed by my boy Newt Gingrich.  My hope is he will stay true to his pledge to put social issues on the backburner and instead return the GOP’s focus to the very reform principles that once upon a time defined the party of Lincoln—you know such foreign concepts that include things like fiscal responsibility and free enterprise.

Second, earth to President Obama…why are you letting Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid bitch slap you around?  Why the hell did you let them dictate the provisions of the economic earmark package, I mean stimulus package? I saw more pork in that friggin bill than I did in the movie, Babe.  President Obama has an abundance of political capital, a left wing media that treats him like the Second Coming, majority support from the American public….why did he pander to the wicked witch of the west and the cowardly lion?  He should have put his foot down by mandating only those spending provisions that will actually prove to stimulate the economy and generate economic growth should be included!!!  Christ, where was Rahm Emmanuel in all of this?  I thought he would at least help compensate for the backbone Obama apparently does not have.

Third, can Orrin Hatch please SHUT UP!  Umm….the nation is facing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression…45 million Americans are without health insurance… Afghanistan is in disarray…..Yet, you have the nerve to actually to take up valuable time on the Senate floor to criticize the BCS?!?!  Get your priorities straight Mr. Hatch.  Leave the BCS rants to the gang over at ESPN.  Christ…do you mind actually doing work that might serve to alleviate this country of one of the many ills it faces.

And fourth, thank you Governor Sarah Palin.  It was a long week, but I can always count on you to give me a laugh. On Tuesday she unveiled SarahPAC, her political action committee “Dedicated to building America’s future, supporting fresh ideas and candidates who share our vision for reform and innovation.”  Fresh ideas?!?!  Girl, you’re hairstyle is from the 1930s?  You believe in abstinence only education?  Clearly this stint was concocted to help serve as a vehicle for her political activities going forward.  Ulgh, I certainly do not want her as the poster child for the Republicans moving forward.  Can’t she just disappear to a light house in Alaska and keep an eye on Russia for us?  Obama has enough to worry about right now.

So I have finally caved and started my own blog.  My name is Kristina and I am in my mid-20s living in Washington, D.C.  You don’t have to be a genius to figure out that I am a proud Boston native.  An acquaintance who forgot my name in a bar once referred to me as “that ballsy Boston broad,” so hence the name for this blog.  True to form, I am loud, ballsy and have an opinion (which I of course articulate in my Baahstan accent).

If you are politically correct or the sensitive type, please DO NOT read any further.  I intend to comment on everything ranging from politics, to sports, to current events to celebrities, to dating.  I will be honest, forthright, frank and even sometimes crass.

If anything, I hope my blog can at least give you a laugh….