Fever Broken

I’m happy to report that the fever of my addiction related to anything even remotely pertaining to the 2008 Presidential Election has finally broken.

How have I come to this conclusion you may ask? Well… for one thing, I haven’t watched Keith Olberman’s Countdown since last Tuesday. I’ve also begun to limit my daily visits to The Huffington Post and CNN.com. Last night I even checked out Unsung on TVOne. In fact, right now as I write this post, I’ve got my old standby Law & Order on the boob tube.

Now, these may seem like baby steps to you, but for me these mini milestones mark real progress, because for the past eight months, all things Obama have consumed me.

So, barring a relapse, I really do believe I’m on my way to returning to that well-rounded Mango Mama my friends and family has come to love.

Get Over It and Get On Board

O.k., so I’ve got to make a concerted effort to stop reading comments on posts on sites such as CNN and The Huffington Post. I can’t believe some of the madness I encountered while reading comments to an article on Cnn.com regarding the reaction of a number of Hillary’s supporters following Saturday’s concession speech. I thought it was a great first step in bringing the Democrats back together, but I’m obviously still high on the fumes of Obama’s ascension to presumptive Democratic nominee, because vitriolic hatred abounds and some of these broads cannot see past their own disappointment and vow to support McCain in protest.

Sure, it’s never easy when your guy, or in this case gal, doesn’t win and maybe it’s because I’m so used to being on the short end of the stick when it comes to my candidate not winning, but opting for McCain is simply not the answer, nor do you have the right to shove Hillary down Obama’s throat as his vice presidential running mate.

Get over your loss and get on board, because more than your hurt feelings and overwhelming disappointment is at stake. We’re at a very critical point in our history. Our economy is tanking. Our standing in the world community has been greatly compromised, and during the last 8 years, our domestic infrastructure has received virtually no attention. John McCain knows only one thing--- war and combat and even four years under his administration will lead to the further determent of this nation and our children’s future and other than Condi Rice, I’ve yet to encounter a woman, who doesn’t want to ensure a better, more secure future for our children.

A New Fix for a News Junkie

I am a functional news junkie. I use the word “functional” because I’ve learned to employ little tricks to curb my habit. One of these tricks includes not watching the 24-hour news channels, i.e. CNN, on primary nights, because if I do I end up sleeping with one eye open watching the returns, which in turn makes me crazy and unbearable to deal with the following day.

I recently posted a rant detailing my intense dislike of Campbell Brown on CNN, when in fact, other than Mr. Straight-No-Chaser, Jack Cafferty, I’m getting fed up with more than a few of CNN’s anchors. In lieu of suffering through Campbell’s broadcasts, I’ve found a new guilty pleasure, Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. I’m obviously new to the Olbermann phenomenon, because Loverman’s hipped me to the fact that Olbermann’s been spinning his unique mojo since his days at ESPN, but new to the game or not, I’m digging this fine, smooth talker, who’s exhibiting a special brand of passion seldom seen on mainstream television news.

Brazile Holds It Down

Now for a word about the recent political punditry and media coverage… On Tuesday evening I turned on CNN just as Democratic political consultant (and super delegate) Donna Brazile PUT IT DOWN and expressed what I’ve been feeling for months. Brazile made it clear how sick and tired she is of “some white Democrats” referring to the party as “my” or “mine,” and not “ours.” She called folks on their use of “coded language,” and the lack of inclusiveness when detailing the diverse demographics of the party and finally, she stepped to Campbell Brown when Brown foolishly pressed Brazile on being undecided in regards to her preference between Obama and Clinton. Brazile clarified that she’s never claimed to be undecided, but as a super delegate, she’s “undeclared.” Campbell paused, and then went on to try to bait Brazile and force her to step forward with her declaration. Brazile refused to take the bait and did as she’s done throughout the entire primary season--- stood her ground and made her case for a fair and unbiased process.

It was during this exchange that it became perfectly clear why I’ve grown to dislike Campbell Brown since her move from NBC to CNN. Brown's been awarded with the prime 8pm slot, immediately following Lou Dobbs, and prior to Larry King. In an attempt to shake her “girl next door” persona, she’s assumed the role of a “baiter.” Instead of engaging her guests in a conversation/dialogue, she seems to assume what she wants them to say and tries her best to “bait” or “goad” them to provide her presumed appropriate response. If her guests don’t agree with her or if she feels she hasn’t been successful in getting what she wants, she’ll rephrase the question three or four times in a doggish manner to get the goods, sometimes meeting with success, but most often, not. It’s really annoying.