Debates. Old People. Honorifics.

I recently read a NYT article about addressing older people as "my dear", "sweetie" or other somewhat demeaning non-honorifics. As someone who spends most of my time with the olds I find myself using "dear" quite a bit. Never once did I consider it to be rude, but I will not be saying it anymore. In my defense I usually use "dear" when I've forgotten their names in an effort to remain friendly. I'm going to move to using "sir" and "mam" when I need a proper honorific.

This is why I took special offense to McCain's overuse of the phrase "my friends" in the "town hall" debate last night. I wish I'd counted, there are varying reports of his usage online from 14 to 23, but more than once is just patronizing. Senator McCain, I am not your friend. You are the man with 7 houses and 12 cars who left his cancer ridden wife to diddle the much younger, hotter heiress. You are a man who just learned how to Yahoo. I'm sure the internet is a series of tubes in your world. If you become president I will attempt to ignore your public addresses as I've successfully avoided watching President Bush for these last 8 years. Seriously, can anybody actually stand to watch him speak?

Obama, however, is an enjoyable speaker. I don't know if this is my politically left bent or his tendency to actually appear to have through through his statements before speaking aloud. In the debate last evening he spoke past his time limit several times, which was a bit cringe worthy. Also before he began every statement he let out an audible "huuuuuuh" as he was gathering his thoughts. He could deftly avoid this by standing away from the mike while making his thinking noise. Still, he is never patronizing and always seems well reasoned.

I was a bit tired of both of them repeating the same things they said in the last debate. McCain, you already accused Obama of being to vocal about his willingness to capture Bin Laden on Pakistan's soil. Obama, you already returned with the "bomb bomb bomb Iran zinger". I know both of you think the American people have forgotten the previous debates exchange, but we didn't. It was almost verbatim. There were even times when one candidate would say one thing, the other would refute and the first candidate would say the same thing they just said. Yes, we heard you both. Getting the last word does not negate the other's talking point. Nor does their stupid talking point (like the 3 million dollar "overhead projector" McCain kept accusing Obama of earmarking) somehow trump the others record.

I think I'm right on par with the rest of the US when I say I'd prefer fewer "talking points" and more in depth answering of the questions. However, Obama, tall and stately, I think won the debate hands down. McCain's creepy touching of the participants and overuse of "my friends" really made it hard to listen to him. And I do love my Obama, so I'm biased.

Thank God McCain seemed to avoid using the word "Maverick".