Every time I want to post about something not related to tango or to politics, something happens either in my tango life or Palin goes and does something. I can’t win. Today was another example of that. I was going to write about True Blood and then found like seriously like amazing articles and stuff, which I now bring to you ’cause I am great like that.

I was going to end my post with this article, but you know what, it’s too freakin’ good to go last.

(sourced from Rolling Stone)

I am not going to copy and paste the entire article. I only hope to pique your curiosity enough with these two quotes:

“The scariest thing about John McCain’s running mate isn’t how unqualified she is – it’s what her candidacy says about America.

And in direct correlation..

“And if she’s a good enough likeness of a loudmouthed Middle American archetype, as Sarah Palin is, John Q. Public will drop his giant-size bag of Doritos in gratitude, wipe the Sizzlin’ Picante dust from his lips and rush to the booth to vote for her. Not because it makes sense, or because it has a chance of improving his life or anyone else’s, but simply because it appeals to the low-humming narcissism that substitutes for his personality, because the image on TV reminds him of the mean, brainless slob he sees in the mirror every morning.“

Ooof, that was harsh!

What are we going to do tonight, Brain?

Same thing we do every night, Pinky. TAKE OVER THE WORLD!

I don’t know about you people, but that Santa is making me afraid. Very afraid. And then I saw this video and my fear grew. A fanatical, homophobic, ambitious wingnut. SCORE!

Ok, here’s the happy, fluffy stuff.

P.S.: I loved this story because it was so sweet amidst this nightmare of fear-and-smear politics going on. In 1988, $100 was definitely worth more than it is now. I am getting way ahead of myself, though. Enjoy…

(Sourced from Daily Kos. Unedited story is here.)

The Norwegian newspaper VG has reported a truly amazing story about a newly-wed trying to get to Norway to be with her husband, and the stranger who helped pay an unexpected luggage surcharge.  The blog “Leisha’s Random Thoughts” has translated the story.

It was 1988, and Mary Andersen was at the Miami airport checking in for a long flight to Norway to be with her husband when the airline representative informed her that she wouldn’t be able to check her luggage without paying a surcharge:

Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call.

-I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without. But I had already made such a careful selection of my most prized possessions, says Mary.

As tears streamed down her face, she heard a “gentle and friendly voice” behind her saying, “That’s okay, I’ll pay for her.”

Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before. Although this happened 20 years ago, she still remembers the authority that radiated from the man.

Mary was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her.

Who was the man?

Barack Obama.

Twenty years later, she is thrilled that the friendly stranger at the airport may be the next President and has voted for him already and donated 100 dollars to his campaign:

-He was my knight in shining armor, says Mary, smiling. She paid the 103 dollars back to Obama the day after she arrived in Norway. At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker in Chicago, and had started his law studies at prestigious Harvard university.

Mary even convinced her parents to vote for him:

In the spring of 2006 Mary’s parents had heard that Obama was considering a run for president, but that he had still not decided. They chose to write a letter in which they told him that he would receive their votes. At the same time, they thanked Obama for helping their daughter 18 years earlier.

And Obama replied:

In a letter to Mary’s parents dated May 4th, 2006 and stamped ‘United States Senate, Washington DC’, Barack Obama writes:

‘I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport. I’m happy I could help back then, and I’m delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway. Please send her my best wishes. Sincerely, Barack Obama, United States senator’.

The parents sent the letter on to Mary.

Did we all experience an “awwwww” moment? I did. It has nothing to do with me being an Obama supporter. I think the sheer humanity of that gesture says a lot. But then, maybe that’s just me.