The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

It’s 5 a.m. and I Haven’t Been Able to Sleep All Night

Posted on | September 6, 2010 | 113 Comments

Last night, just after 11, I decided to go to the store.

And hit a deer.

The car that my son worked so hard to fix?

The car I just spent $700 to fix?

Totalled.

The insurance probably won’t pay as much as we owed on it.

So . . . the trip I’d planned to Delaware today is canceled.

Probably no BlogCon, no 9/12.

Probably no more travel for weeks, even months.

Completed immobilized, just at the onset of the campaign season.

An irretrievable disaster.

I’m emotionally wiped out.

UPDATE: TERRORISM ON FOUR HOOVES!

Category: Uncategorized

Comments

113 Responses to “It’s 5 a.m. and I Haven’t Been Able to Sleep All Night”

  1. Pat
    September 6th, 2010 @ 12:12 pm

    With autosales crashing, I suspect there will be really good incentives on vehicles this fall. Get something you can afford and you will have a new vehicle that will be perfectly dependable for year

    Yeah, what he said. and for God Sakes. BUY AMERICAN! At least a FORD. Keep Americans working. Stop buying Japanese junk!

  2. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 4:22 pm

    But Pat, my Tundra was made in San Antonio. And Ford makes plenty of parts in Mexico.

    Still, there are good Fords out there. But you get the best vehicle out there you can afford.

  3. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 12:22 pm

    But Pat, my Tundra was made in San Antonio. And Ford makes plenty of parts in Mexico.

    Still, there are good Fords out there. But you get the best vehicle out there you can afford.

  4. Victor Morton
    September 6th, 2010 @ 4:44 pm

    John West:

    Stacy’s got more-important things to do right now. And I don’t know about Smitty, but as a friend of Stacy’s, let me just overstep my bounds here and say, “kindly STFU.” When a man faces a personal emergency as here, hectoring criticism (even if the point be true) is assholish. So I repeat, kindly STFU.

  5. Victor Morton
    September 6th, 2010 @ 12:44 pm

    John West:

    Stacy’s got more-important things to do right now. And I don’t know about Smitty, but as a friend of Stacy’s, let me just overstep my bounds here and say, “kindly STFU.” When a man faces a personal emergency as here, hectoring criticism (even if the point be true) is assholish. So I repeat, kindly STFU.

  6. Lance
    September 6th, 2010 @ 4:48 pm

    I’m with Dave C. I can get three months worth of hamburger out of an average sized doe. That’s why I always keep a knife in my car.

  7. Lance
    September 6th, 2010 @ 12:48 pm

    I’m with Dave C. I can get three months worth of hamburger out of an average sized doe. That’s why I always keep a knife in my car.

  8. Pat
    September 6th, 2010 @ 4:56 pm

    I’m with Vic, John West STFU.

  9. Pat
    September 6th, 2010 @ 12:56 pm

    I’m with Vic, John West STFU.

  10. Andrea Harris
    September 6th, 2010 @ 4:58 pm

    Pat: as Joe says that “Japanese junk” is usually made in the USA. And even if it isn’t (my elderly Tercel was made in Japan and shipped over) I’d buy a Japanese car over any American made piece of crap. I’ve owned three Toyotas in my life and they Just. Will. Not. Die. I can’t say the same for any American cars I’ve owned — they’ve all been more or less garbage. Not to mention they were mostly made in other countries — West Germany, Canada… “American made” my rear end.

    PS: some of you guys grousing at Mr. McCain for being upset about not having a car: uncool. When you need a car, you need a car. It’s obviously not a trivial or frivolous need as it apparently is for some of you.

  11. Andrea Harris
    September 6th, 2010 @ 12:58 pm

    Pat: as Joe says that “Japanese junk” is usually made in the USA. And even if it isn’t (my elderly Tercel was made in Japan and shipped over) I’d buy a Japanese car over any American made piece of crap. I’ve owned three Toyotas in my life and they Just. Will. Not. Die. I can’t say the same for any American cars I’ve owned — they’ve all been more or less garbage. Not to mention they were mostly made in other countries — West Germany, Canada… “American made” my rear end.

    PS: some of you guys grousing at Mr. McCain for being upset about not having a car: uncool. When you need a car, you need a car. It’s obviously not a trivial or frivolous need as it apparently is for some of you.

  12. Robert Stacy McCain
    September 6th, 2010 @ 5:03 pm

    Thanks for all the consolation.

  13. Robert Stacy McCain
    September 6th, 2010 @ 1:03 pm

    Thanks for all the consolation.

  14. DaveP.
    September 6th, 2010 @ 5:13 pm

    If the Taxpayer-Supported Car Companies want me to buy one of their cars, they’ll make that car better quality or at a better price than the “foreign” (Toyotas/Hondas/Nissans made in America are foreign?) competition and not simply tell me WHERE they were made.

    Of course, if Taxpayer-Supported Motors COULD build a car that was better quality for the same price/lesser quality for an appropriate price… they wouldn’t have needed to be Taxpayer-Supported, now would they? And continuing to subsidize their inadequacies isn’t going to make them get any better, is it?

    Stacy, where there’s life there’s hope. Take a deep breath, give thanks you weren’t hurt (broke and injured is a LOT worse than broke) and keep your chin up…

  15. DaveP.
    September 6th, 2010 @ 1:13 pm

    If the Taxpayer-Supported Car Companies want me to buy one of their cars, they’ll make that car better quality or at a better price than the “foreign” (Toyotas/Hondas/Nissans made in America are foreign?) competition and not simply tell me WHERE they were made.

    Of course, if Taxpayer-Supported Motors COULD build a car that was better quality for the same price/lesser quality for an appropriate price… they wouldn’t have needed to be Taxpayer-Supported, now would they? And continuing to subsidize their inadequacies isn’t going to make them get any better, is it?

    Stacy, where there’s life there’s hope. Take a deep breath, give thanks you weren’t hurt (broke and injured is a LOT worse than broke) and keep your chin up…

  16. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 5:17 pm

    Dave P, spot on. Stacy, it does not seem like this was for the best now, but you might find out this was a blessing in disguise later on.

  17. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 1:17 pm

    Dave P, spot on. Stacy, it does not seem like this was for the best now, but you might find out this was a blessing in disguise later on.

  18. Rob
    September 6th, 2010 @ 5:22 pm

    I’m glad things are getting back together-ish. As far as deer and traveling go, don’t ever drive out to Colorado. Just fly in, there are a lot of red balloons on the highway and mangle cars.

  19. Rob
    September 6th, 2010 @ 1:22 pm

    I’m glad things are getting back together-ish. As far as deer and traveling go, don’t ever drive out to Colorado. Just fly in, there are a lot of red balloons on the highway and mangle cars.

  20. AngelaTC
    September 6th, 2010 @ 5:27 pm

    I am so sorry! I am glad you’re ok. Another huge expense at the worst possible time, too.

  21. AngelaTC
    September 6th, 2010 @ 1:27 pm

    I am so sorry! I am glad you’re ok. Another huge expense at the worst possible time, too.

  22. Labor Day Loose Thoughts at Bride of Rove
    September 6th, 2010 @ 1:40 pm

    […] The Other McCain is having one of those days. It’s not even deer season. Once you hit them they aren’t really edible anyway. […]

  23. 1redthread
    September 6th, 2010 @ 5:49 pm

    I sent a bit to you. Relax, no sleep + stress will kill you!

  24. 1redthread
    September 6th, 2010 @ 1:49 pm

    I sent a bit to you. Relax, no sleep + stress will kill you!

  25. Bob Belvedere
    September 6th, 2010 @ 6:39 pm

    I am glad to hear that you are not injured and that Mrs TOM is okay.

    My late Grandfather always said Things always work out for the best and, over the years, he has been proven right again and again and again.

    Battle the insurance folks if they low-ball you – Joe is spot-on.

    Since you do a lot of travelling, a Honda or Toyota makes sense [and I say that as someone who only buys Chrysler].

    Nil Desperandum.

    Let me know if you need anything.

  26. Bob Belvedere
    September 6th, 2010 @ 2:39 pm

    I am glad to hear that you are not injured and that Mrs TOM is okay.

    My late Grandfather always said Things always work out for the best and, over the years, he has been proven right again and again and again.

    Battle the insurance folks if they low-ball you – Joe is spot-on.

    Since you do a lot of travelling, a Honda or Toyota makes sense [and I say that as someone who only buys Chrysler].

    Nil Desperandum.

    Let me know if you need anything.

  27. The Monday Afternoon Mental Health Break, Special Labor Day Edition: Waylon Jennings | Political Byline
    September 6th, 2010 @ 3:18 pm

    […] Mr. McCain, things will get better man, I assure you of that. This is not time to sulk, this is a time to give thanks —- that you and kids are alright. […]

  28. Lisa Graas
    September 6th, 2010 @ 7:22 pm

    Sigh.

  29. Lisa Graas
    September 6th, 2010 @ 3:22 pm

    Sigh.

  30. Rob Howard
    September 6th, 2010 @ 7:45 pm

    Hey man, I’m really sorry to hear about the car. I don’t make a lot of money (yet, heh, I’m a conservative so I remain optimistic about my manipulation of our semi-free market) but I can’t imagine the struggle free lancers like yourself must face.

    Don’t give up! I’m quite certain there is a serviceable used car that you can find for less than $2500 than can “get you there.”

    My wife and I have become used to the idea of driving high mileage used cars and have had excellent luck. We had a Ford Escort that served us perfectly for a number of years, and we just bought in cash a 2000 Ford Windstar van that had over 150k miles on it. It has performed flawlessly and was purchased for less than 4k. And we don’t even have the advantage of having children that are automotive experts! Though my 3 year old would like to try, lol.

    In any case, I think it really behooves people to buy cars in cash whether they are used or new simply because of the potential for being upside down, as might be the case here. They just go down in value so darn fast. I’d rather have a $2000 “junker” without a loan than some more expensive car that I end up owing more than what it is worth.

    Anyway, good luck man, prayers for you and your family.

  31. Rob Howard
    September 6th, 2010 @ 3:45 pm

    Hey man, I’m really sorry to hear about the car. I don’t make a lot of money (yet, heh, I’m a conservative so I remain optimistic about my manipulation of our semi-free market) but I can’t imagine the struggle free lancers like yourself must face.

    Don’t give up! I’m quite certain there is a serviceable used car that you can find for less than $2500 than can “get you there.”

    My wife and I have become used to the idea of driving high mileage used cars and have had excellent luck. We had a Ford Escort that served us perfectly for a number of years, and we just bought in cash a 2000 Ford Windstar van that had over 150k miles on it. It has performed flawlessly and was purchased for less than 4k. And we don’t even have the advantage of having children that are automotive experts! Though my 3 year old would like to try, lol.

    In any case, I think it really behooves people to buy cars in cash whether they are used or new simply because of the potential for being upside down, as might be the case here. They just go down in value so darn fast. I’d rather have a $2000 “junker” without a loan than some more expensive car that I end up owing more than what it is worth.

    Anyway, good luck man, prayers for you and your family.

  32. Oh, Deer « The Camp Of The Saints
    September 6th, 2010 @ 3:51 pm

    […] not head over to his place and send him a line of encouragement to buck-up [pun intended] his […]

  33. Thomas L. Knapp
    September 6th, 2010 @ 8:06 pm

    Stacy,

    Kias can be replaced. I’m just glad to hear that it wasn’t you or someone you love that got totaled.

  34. Thomas L. Knapp
    September 6th, 2010 @ 4:06 pm

    Stacy,

    Kias can be replaced. I’m just glad to hear that it wasn’t you or someone you love that got totaled.

  35. Roxeanne de Luca
    September 6th, 2010 @ 8:08 pm

    Ditto Smitty: you aren’t replaceable, in so many ways. Glad you’re okay.

    As for those who say that McCain doesn’t need a car: while humans don’t need to do anything (including eat), there’s consequences. I live so close to public transit that I can walk to the platform in under two minutes, and am strong enough to easily walk or run five miles in a day, but I still have a very tough time getting around without my car.

    My used-car recommendations: Toyota, Honda, or ’90s-era Volvo. Older cars are easier (and cheaper) to fix as well.

    As for the deer: you should have called up Todd and gotten Sarah to field-dress the carcass for you, thus saving you on grocery bills for the next few months.

  36. Roxeanne de Luca
    September 6th, 2010 @ 4:08 pm

    Ditto Smitty: you aren’t replaceable, in so many ways. Glad you’re okay.

    As for those who say that McCain doesn’t need a car: while humans don’t need to do anything (including eat), there’s consequences. I live so close to public transit that I can walk to the platform in under two minutes, and am strong enough to easily walk or run five miles in a day, but I still have a very tough time getting around without my car.

    My used-car recommendations: Toyota, Honda, or ’90s-era Volvo. Older cars are easier (and cheaper) to fix as well.

    As for the deer: you should have called up Todd and gotten Sarah to field-dress the carcass for you, thus saving you on grocery bills for the next few months.

  37. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 8:29 pm

    If you will pardon the pun…buck up!

  38. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 4:29 pm

    If you will pardon the pun…buck up!

  39. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 8:48 pm

    Dan Collins sends some linky love.

  40. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 4:48 pm

    Dan Collins sends some linky love.

  41. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 9:05 pm

    Cheer up, think of the future.

  42. Joe
    September 6th, 2010 @ 5:05 pm

    Cheer up, think of the future.

  43. Wondering Jew
    September 6th, 2010 @ 9:28 pm

    Very sorry to hear about this, Stacy. Glad to hear you are OK.

  44. Wondering Jew
    September 6th, 2010 @ 5:28 pm

    Very sorry to hear about this, Stacy. Glad to hear you are OK.

  45. Phil in Englewood
    September 6th, 2010 @ 9:35 pm

    I’m hitting the tip jar.

    I recommend scheduling a McCain Venison Barbecue Fundraiser sometime this fall. I’d chip in to the vehicle fund and bring side dishes and drinks to share. Barbecuing KIA deer seems akin to making lemonade out of lemons.

    Barbecue in the cool fall air – excellent! Helping a real reporter tell the truth – priceless!

  46. Phil in Englewood
    September 6th, 2010 @ 5:35 pm

    I’m hitting the tip jar.

    I recommend scheduling a McCain Venison Barbecue Fundraiser sometime this fall. I’d chip in to the vehicle fund and bring side dishes and drinks to share. Barbecuing KIA deer seems akin to making lemonade out of lemons.

    Barbecue in the cool fall air – excellent! Helping a real reporter tell the truth – priceless!

  47. Obi's Sister
    September 6th, 2010 @ 10:26 pm

    What matters is that YOU are okay. Cars are replaceable.

    Email me an address (I don’t do paypal), even if it’s Smitty’s PO box at his MIL’s.

  48. Obi's Sister
    September 6th, 2010 @ 6:26 pm

    What matters is that YOU are okay. Cars are replaceable.

    Email me an address (I don’t do paypal), even if it’s Smitty’s PO box at his MIL’s.

  49. Deer 1, RS McCain 0 « Obi's Sister
    September 6th, 2010 @ 6:56 pm

    […] 6, 2010 at 6:56 pm (Stacy's Speedo) Stacy totaled his family’s only car (well, he didn’t, the evil deer did) so a tip jar […]

  50. Red
    September 6th, 2010 @ 11:09 pm

    Sorry to hear of your accident. I’m thankful that you are unharmed as is your family I’m sure just as grateful. They say, “It’s only a car”. Still that doesn’t make it any easier. For instance, my mother and stepdad have been fighting to hang on to their home. He has been out of his usual (high paying) line of work for over a year and a half. I’ll put it this way: I make more than him right now with an Associates and that isn’t saying much. Their water heater just about blew up. It overheated and flooded their house. Come to find out it wasn’t installed to code and could have blown up their house had it gotten any hotter before leaking but now they have water damage and a heater to replace.
    Things can be difficult and not go our way but God shows us a way out. He lends help where we least expect it. Hang in there!

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