Just a place for random rantings and ravings.....

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Hello?

I never answer the phone if a) I don't recognize the number or b) it says "unknown" on the caller ID. Not that I'm afraid of bill collectors or anything, but why waste my time? If they know me and love me they'll leave a message if I don't pick up. If they don't know me or love me, they just want me to buy some shit. Anyway, last Tuesday after school my cell phone rang, and of course the "unknown" flashed across the screen so I didn't bother to answer. I wasn't busy or anything, but if it was probably a bill collector- I already knew what they wanted. Whoever it was left a message and upon listening to the message, I realized that I received a very disturbing call, but it wasn't bad news...it was, well....disturbing. I got a call from Hillary Clinton herself....OK it wasn't her directly, but a recording of her voice asking me to vote for her in the Georgia primaries.



Pet Peeve Disclaimer.


I'm one of those people that checks "signed" letters from companies to see whether the signature in "blue ink" is actually blue ink from a ball point pen or blue ink from a laser printer. I figure if someone actually took the time to sign it by hand, I'm a valued person to that company and I consider signing a letter by hand a genuine act of appreciation. I'm always disappointed though so I end up tossing it in the trash....



Back to the story.



So I listened to Senator Clinton's polite 30 second message asking for my support, and I keep thinking to myself, That's strange, how'd she get my number? Well, soon after the message ended, I got my "disturbing" answer.


"This message was paid for by the American Federation of Teachers, code 5789A-6998soohhblaahhblahh"- my UNION, the bastards! I pay them to hassle downtown into giving us duty free lunches or get me a free lawyer if I get caught jacking some bad ass kid up. I don't pay them to give my PRIVATE number to politicians during elections!

I was flattered that she would take her time to call me out of all the millions of people living in Atlanta, but pissed that it was instead some mindless recording devoid of humanity or a damn pulse. I understand that she's a busy lady, but if I'm THAT important, call me in person, say hello, ask what issues I find important, and THEN ask for my vote. Is that too much to ask?!?! Ok, maybe it is these days. And I probably wouldn't have answered anyway! :)


Weeks before that call, I had gotten a letter stating that the AFT had decided to endorse Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries and that they were asking me to do the same by voting for her. In exchange for the public endorsement (and the phone lists containting the numbers for thousands of educators who are members of AFT like myself) I'm sure the the union bigwigs were made sweeping promises and possible positions in the Clinton government if she gets elected. I remembered thinking, Who asked me? Was there a vote? Don't I get a say? The truth is I probably got a letter asking my opinion, but AFT never signs their letters in person down at Union HQ- so you can guess what probably happened to THAT letter....


The irony is that I had already cast my vote when I checked the message....Oops.

13 Comments:

Blogger notfearingchange said...

ick...

Tue Feb 12, 05:51:00 PM

 
Blogger paz y amor said...

NFC- I know she's unpopular, but is she THAT bad? She seems real artificial onstage and in interviews and I think that's what bothers me most. I don't like smile-happy-gladhands....

Wed Feb 13, 04:46:00 AM

 
Blogger The Hollow Man said...

I am a big critic of the blue laser jet ink too. People in my business do that crap all the time. I figure that if I am ever too busy or too important to sign letters to my clients who refer me to their friends and family, I need to find a new line of work.

Thu Feb 14, 08:53:00 AM

 
Blogger skinnylittleblonde said...

Huh! I'd be miffed too. That's your cell number, so in essence you paid for that call twice.

Fri Feb 15, 05:49:00 PM

 
Blogger Eyezaku said...

Obama's looking good. knock on wood!

Sun Feb 17, 08:58:00 AM

 
Blogger Kiyotoe said...

I bet McCain really appreciated your vote brotha.

Good job. ;-)

Mon Feb 18, 05:35:00 PM

 
Blogger paz y amor said...

HM, Wouldn't it be nice if we could return to the days when everyone was sincere?

SLB- I suppose you're right- but I've got 3000 rollover minutes racked up, so I wasn't too pissed about that part of it.

Eyechan- I'm knocking on wood, silver, aluminum... EVERYTHING. There's still a long road ahead though and the next few weeks will be critical.

Kiyotoe- McCain...MyAss. Honestly, he's not a bad choice compared to the other Republican candidates as far as his politics are concerned, but I think he's out of touch with how people are thinking and beating that war drum a little too loud for my ears.

Tue Feb 19, 01:11:00 PM

 
Blogger Anne said...

I don't answer Hillary's calls either. She's always trying to mooch money or a cigarette. :p

Tue Feb 19, 02:07:00 PM

 
Blogger paz y amor said...

Queenie- I think she needs more than a cigarette these days. It's looking more and more like she's going to be playing second fiddle- but I'm not counting her out just yet.

Woozie- Personally I prefer blood red. It reminds me of grading papers!

Wed Feb 20, 04:45:00 AM

 
Blogger Woozie said...

Speaking of phones, I downloaded the BOOGALABAHBOOGAWAHBAH (incoherent babble) from that Soulja Boy song Yahhh Trick Yahh as a ringtone.

So much fun.

Thu Feb 21, 03:56:00 PM

 
Blogger paz y amor said...

Wooz,

Oh lord. Tell me you won't be adding Soulja Boy to your list of "listen tos". I'd have to protest!

Nic,

Ooooh you're making me blush, though it's hard to see :) Does your hubby know how free you are with the compliments about my booty? That being said, I really wouldn't mind a Nic-style ass kickin' (and I'm sure your ass is cuter than mine). I know I should recycle more with paper(and I do with glass and metals). I'll do my best to get better with it.

Sat Feb 23, 02:02:00 PM

 
Blogger Woozie said...

Oh hell no, it's just when I first heard the boogawalahboogabahwah on the radio edit I died laughing. That was low, even for Soulja Boy.

Sat Feb 23, 04:39:00 PM

 
Blogger ambandenva2 said...

I don't trust her as far as I can throw her. She is going to sign the re-slavery bill I just know it.

On to more pressing matters, I agree, it is important that there is a personal touch that is why I hate those automated voice things companies have. I just press zero the majority of the time because I want to talk to, "gasp," a human being.

One day people will understand the importance of a personal touch again, but clearly today is not that day.

Ms. Denva

Wed Feb 27, 09:32:00 AM

 

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