While I find it hard to believe that Obama, a man of character, from what I have seen, would bother pursuing the presidency knowing that if he was not in fact born in Hawaii, he would be ineligible to be elected, I think the prudent thing to do is to cough up the full birth certificate.
I can see the value in ignoring the griping from the fringe, but by not showing proof, definitive proof, it looks like Obama has something to hide. Believe me, I am good at ignoring whining and incessant griping, but this is a HUGE issue of creditability and it is a matter of Constitutional law.
While I would like to think that the Democratic party was high and tight on this issue before running Obama on the ticket, I fail to see why we cannot just have a definitive answer in the form of the proof required to run and I assume there is such a proof obtaining process and then we can move on to the real issues facing this country.
Showing posts with label 2008 election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 election. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Fox and the Hen House
I know you need experience but why is Obama picking an insider to run the SEC. We need someone who is not tainted and who can carry a big stick & bust some balls. Not someone who is considered a low profile caretaker.
I am as a woman happy to see a woman at the helm. But is THIS the woman for the job. I want someone running the SEC who carries a big stick, busts balls and puts these crooks and frauds in their place. Not a rubber stamper and not someone who has been an insider for a number of years. We need a straight talker like Jim Cramer or Suze Orman. Someone who talks straights and will make the SEC talk straight. Chris Matthews even. Their industry experience is less important to me - it is their low tolerance for bullshit which should receive the top billing in this case.
We need someone who will work with the Justice Department and who will be willing to throw those who cheat and lie and play fast and loose with the public's money and trust under the bus.
Wall Street is now taking my tax dollars to their bank in the Caymans and that pisses me the hell off.
I have my doubts that Mary can effect any real change.
So Obama - with this appointment I have to say I am questioning your normally sound judgement.
We need a pit bull and not another industry lap dog.
I am as a woman happy to see a woman at the helm. But is THIS the woman for the job. I want someone running the SEC who carries a big stick, busts balls and puts these crooks and frauds in their place. Not a rubber stamper and not someone who has been an insider for a number of years. We need a straight talker like Jim Cramer or Suze Orman. Someone who talks straights and will make the SEC talk straight. Chris Matthews even. Their industry experience is less important to me - it is their low tolerance for bullshit which should receive the top billing in this case.
We need someone who will work with the Justice Department and who will be willing to throw those who cheat and lie and play fast and loose with the public's money and trust under the bus.
Wall Street is now taking my tax dollars to their bank in the Caymans and that pisses me the hell off.
I have my doubts that Mary can effect any real change.
So Obama - with this appointment I have to say I am questioning your normally sound judgement.
We need a pit bull and not another industry lap dog.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Where's the Boat?
That is what E wanted to know after we stood in line for an hour! They charged in this morning at 5:30 am - so I got us dressed and fed and off to the polls. At 6:27 am we were at least 25 deep! We waited an hour!
I am sure many people would have rather my kiddos stayed home - but it is their country too and they should be part of the process. Beside the schools are closed here - so L would have been coming with me anyway. E has preschool today but I was afraid the lines would only get worse as the day goes on.
L was chanting in the car over to the polls - "Smart people vote for Obama!" He is her choice. She voted yesterday at school. I told her while I was voting for Obama - and I do ardently believe he has the best ideas for America - that the most important thing is that people are voting. Not voting ought to be illegal. Today is the only day MY opinion actually matters. Today it COUNTS.
So I voted for Obama, I voted against the casino and I voted for th school issues - not becasue I have changed my opinion about HOW the school board is managing my tax dollars (but then I can vote them out next round and mark my words I am paying attention.)- but becasue the bond issue will be used to fix a problem that vexes me. Anyone can get into the school where L attends. The security is non-existent and there is a man running around my community taking photos of the kiddos - that is a real problem and while I think paying the superintendents housing costs is a bad idea and I was pretty clear on my feelings about the school's NEW MATH - I take my Baby's safety very SERIOUSLY.
So all I can do now is hope that enough people feel the same as I do.
So go vote or in E's world - I might just be motivated to push you off the BOAT. No dead weight! Once every four years - the country asks you to make your voice heard... NO EXCUSES!
I am sure many people would have rather my kiddos stayed home - but it is their country too and they should be part of the process. Beside the schools are closed here - so L would have been coming with me anyway. E has preschool today but I was afraid the lines would only get worse as the day goes on.
L was chanting in the car over to the polls - "Smart people vote for Obama!" He is her choice. She voted yesterday at school. I told her while I was voting for Obama - and I do ardently believe he has the best ideas for America - that the most important thing is that people are voting. Not voting ought to be illegal. Today is the only day MY opinion actually matters. Today it COUNTS.
So I voted for Obama, I voted against the casino and I voted for th school issues - not becasue I have changed my opinion about HOW the school board is managing my tax dollars (but then I can vote them out next round and mark my words I am paying attention.)- but becasue the bond issue will be used to fix a problem that vexes me. Anyone can get into the school where L attends. The security is non-existent and there is a man running around my community taking photos of the kiddos - that is a real problem and while I think paying the superintendents housing costs is a bad idea and I was pretty clear on my feelings about the school's NEW MATH - I take my Baby's safety very SERIOUSLY.
So all I can do now is hope that enough people feel the same as I do.
So go vote or in E's world - I might just be motivated to push you off the BOAT. No dead weight! Once every four years - the country asks you to make your voice heard... NO EXCUSES!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Marriage is a social contract
I am going to come out and talk about another unpopular subject. Marriage. I think this country is facing some HUGE HUGE HUGE issues and marriage is one of them.
Some people in this country are rather vocal about Marriage being between one man and one woman and all about LOVE. Really? Let's examine this.
Marriage gets me a break on my taxes and my health benefits. It gets me certain rights, specifically if my partner dies. I get tax advantages when inheriting my partner's personal property. Marriage means I can own property with my partner in a special married persons sort of way. The tax advantages tied to marriage are huge. The distribution of wealth in the marriage contract are rather advantageous.
Marriage means my children have certain advantages - specifically where property and their financial care is concerned. It also affords them certain protections and customs for their care - should the partnership dissolve.
Marriage means that my life partner can make certain choices for me or will be afforded certain courtesies should I be ill and in the hospital.
Marriage used to mean - that I was property. That I was no longer my fathers financial burden but rather my husbands.
In many cases I would be the "prize" to seal a land swap or some other deal worked out by the men in power.
Is anyone detecting a pattern here?
Marriage is and historically was about money and legal rights. We as a cultural have dressed it up to be about love. Sure maybe it is. In our culture it is a blend of all of the above. In many cultures around the world it is about property, marriages are arranged and are not "love matches" there is an air of practicality.
I fully support "gay marriage." I think that a culture is strengthen by stable unions. If we are going to afford all these "rights" to married people - then everyone should have the right to pair off as they see fit.
If marriage is going to be about a man and a woman being in love - then nix the special tax benefits and make it about love and all that who-haw.
It should not be about both. It should not be exclusive. A union that combines should not simultaneously exclude others from certain rights.
Taxes are a function of government and Marriage can either be a function of government (social contract) or a function of love or a function of the religious right.
It matters not to me - as long as the playing field is equal and fair.
Are my gay friends no more or less in love and no more or less committed that H and I? Who am I to judge? Who is the religious right? Or defenders of marriage?
If anyone for a minute thinks that the weddings and marriages in the Biblical times had solely to do with LOVE, they need to think again. It was legalized slavery. Women were bought and sold - dressed up as marriage. It was about money and property and getting one more mouth out of the tent and into someone else's tent. Could Love happen? Sure. But it was not about love - it was about money and the clan and honor and it was all about MEN! As an aside - in many biblical cultures - men had more than one wife! Kinda makes the one man and one woman thing seem like a newer concept now doesn't it.
I would also humbly submit that families are best built by free choice and that LOVE comes in all forms and is splendid.
Taxes advantages and wealth distribution should not be tied to a social contract available to a select group. Where is the democracy in that?
Some people in this country are rather vocal about Marriage being between one man and one woman and all about LOVE. Really? Let's examine this.
Marriage gets me a break on my taxes and my health benefits. It gets me certain rights, specifically if my partner dies. I get tax advantages when inheriting my partner's personal property. Marriage means I can own property with my partner in a special married persons sort of way. The tax advantages tied to marriage are huge. The distribution of wealth in the marriage contract are rather advantageous.
Marriage means my children have certain advantages - specifically where property and their financial care is concerned. It also affords them certain protections and customs for their care - should the partnership dissolve.
Marriage means that my life partner can make certain choices for me or will be afforded certain courtesies should I be ill and in the hospital.
Marriage used to mean - that I was property. That I was no longer my fathers financial burden but rather my husbands.
In many cases I would be the "prize" to seal a land swap or some other deal worked out by the men in power.
Is anyone detecting a pattern here?
Marriage is and historically was about money and legal rights. We as a cultural have dressed it up to be about love. Sure maybe it is. In our culture it is a blend of all of the above. In many cultures around the world it is about property, marriages are arranged and are not "love matches" there is an air of practicality.
I fully support "gay marriage." I think that a culture is strengthen by stable unions. If we are going to afford all these "rights" to married people - then everyone should have the right to pair off as they see fit.
If marriage is going to be about a man and a woman being in love - then nix the special tax benefits and make it about love and all that who-haw.
It should not be about both. It should not be exclusive. A union that combines should not simultaneously exclude others from certain rights.
Taxes are a function of government and Marriage can either be a function of government (social contract) or a function of love or a function of the religious right.
It matters not to me - as long as the playing field is equal and fair.
Are my gay friends no more or less in love and no more or less committed that H and I? Who am I to judge? Who is the religious right? Or defenders of marriage?
If anyone for a minute thinks that the weddings and marriages in the Biblical times had solely to do with LOVE, they need to think again. It was legalized slavery. Women were bought and sold - dressed up as marriage. It was about money and property and getting one more mouth out of the tent and into someone else's tent. Could Love happen? Sure. But it was not about love - it was about money and the clan and honor and it was all about MEN! As an aside - in many biblical cultures - men had more than one wife! Kinda makes the one man and one woman thing seem like a newer concept now doesn't it.
I would also humbly submit that families are best built by free choice and that LOVE comes in all forms and is splendid.
Taxes advantages and wealth distribution should not be tied to a social contract available to a select group. Where is the democracy in that?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
see I am not the only one...
Saw this on Yahoo whilst researching an article. See I am not the only one nay saying on the bail out.... or laying blame at the feet of several key people.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Burn Baby Burn
I have been silent on the Bush - "Hey I Wrecked the Economy with my Lack of Leadership, but damn I have a nice White Cape Bail Out!" dog and pony show - but I think the tumble in the market reflects a number of things. Let's examine them, shall we! (see serious news story here...)
1. The stock market is not the economy. The stock market is both more important than the actual economy and simultaneously less so.
The market or actually Markets in all fairness - are a place to exchange stock. Stock is paper ownership in a company with limited control. Control of the company is on a percentage basis and trust me the company set it up SO THEY HAVE the MAJORITY share - THEREFORE CONTROL.
The market is like a being of its own. It is fed on rumor, speculation - investing in stock is always about speculation. Sometimes the market trend leads the economy and somethimes they lag or are reflective.
The market can be going like gangbusters and the economy can be for shit. Or the market can be doing lousy and the economy can be booming.
At the moment - well they are both for shit.
2. House of Cards.
For the most part the entire banking and brokerage industry is a house of cards. The problem is THEY need us little guys. We bring in our paychecks and then the BANK gleefully plays fast and loose with our money. Same with the brokerage houses.
The problem is - the Banks and Brokerages have been playing fast and loose with each other and making bad loans and bad choices and well it is a big knot which cannot be easily untied and FRANKLY the simpleton we call our President and his addled HENCHMAN cooked up a plan that was a GREAT sound bite but fundamentally flawed. (I think while we are letting people hang we should add the entire government machine - bloated and needs a house cleaning - an overhaul maybe.)
I normally am loathed to agree with anything the far right has to say but I was excited when House Republicans stood up and defeated this BILL the 1st time (I will explain why later...)
Had the SEC and NASD and Banking Regulators been enforcing the rules on the books already some of this might have been mitigated. But when those agencies are stock full of ex-bankers and ex-brokers and they are now policing their buddies - well it is a bit like the FOX guarding the HEN HOUSE is it not?
3. One Man's Collapse is Another Man's Break
I think we can say that the Great Depression was horrible for people. People lost their homes and their life savings and their security - not to mention terrible job loses. I am not saying that we need to experience that again.
HOWEVER - I think that instead of giving Wall Street another dime - the Government should do its job and protect the people. Give me my tax money back. Make it easier for me - while I weather the storm. Freeze credit. We can all live without a new car. Ease the crunch by having a borrowing holiday.
I would not give those greedy rat bastards on Wall Street a piece of chewed gum - let alone billions of dollars. They fucked up - they should pay. They should lose their big houses and big bonus and their golden parachutes.
After the market collapse in 1929 and a period of terrible austerity for most Americans - we had a period of enormous economic expansion. Granted a War helped - but I would argue that when the chips fall - SOMEONE picks them up.
The government should not bail out companies they should protect citizens and they should enforce the rules we have and they should stop accepting corporate campaign dollars and they should throw these cheats and frauds in jail and lose the key.
Maybe if we went after White Collar Criminals the same way we did drug dealers (who by the way run a CASH business... mmmm) people might make better business decisions.
4. Capitalism is organic - kinda like the Hunting Lion
Would you step in front of a hungry Lion about to take down a gazelle. Yeah, me neither. Capitalism is alot like that. It is ugly in its raw organic form. I would argue that of any economic system it is the most organic in that it follows the laws of nature. Survival of the fittest and all of that - BUT it works.
What does not work is all this intervention and rule breaking and all of that. We either have a free market or we do not. We either want a capitalist state or we do not. We either let the cards fall where they may or we reward bad behavior and encourage it to be repeated.
Our economy is built almost completely on NOW NOW NOW and more credit and more credit.
The House Republicans actually asked some of these questions and I applaud that (regardless of their reasons.) The entire mess is a mess of our own gerrymandering and frankly no bail out is going to solve the root of the problem. The problem is cultural and systemic and deep and goes back about 4 generations. We are a culture of greedy Me-First - Gimme, Gimme, Gimme - people - who have lost site of important things - like honor, dignity, community, and compassion.
So I ask you - What really is that House of Cards?
1. The stock market is not the economy. The stock market is both more important than the actual economy and simultaneously less so.
The market or actually Markets in all fairness - are a place to exchange stock. Stock is paper ownership in a company with limited control. Control of the company is on a percentage basis and trust me the company set it up SO THEY HAVE the MAJORITY share - THEREFORE CONTROL.
The market is like a being of its own. It is fed on rumor, speculation - investing in stock is always about speculation. Sometimes the market trend leads the economy and somethimes they lag or are reflective.
The market can be going like gangbusters and the economy can be for shit. Or the market can be doing lousy and the economy can be booming.
At the moment - well they are both for shit.
2. House of Cards.
For the most part the entire banking and brokerage industry is a house of cards. The problem is THEY need us little guys. We bring in our paychecks and then the BANK gleefully plays fast and loose with our money. Same with the brokerage houses.
The problem is - the Banks and Brokerages have been playing fast and loose with each other and making bad loans and bad choices and well it is a big knot which cannot be easily untied and FRANKLY the simpleton we call our President and his addled HENCHMAN cooked up a plan that was a GREAT sound bite but fundamentally flawed. (I think while we are letting people hang we should add the entire government machine - bloated and needs a house cleaning - an overhaul maybe.)
I normally am loathed to agree with anything the far right has to say but I was excited when House Republicans stood up and defeated this BILL the 1st time (I will explain why later...)
Had the SEC and NASD and Banking Regulators been enforcing the rules on the books already some of this might have been mitigated. But when those agencies are stock full of ex-bankers and ex-brokers and they are now policing their buddies - well it is a bit like the FOX guarding the HEN HOUSE is it not?
3. One Man's Collapse is Another Man's Break
I think we can say that the Great Depression was horrible for people. People lost their homes and their life savings and their security - not to mention terrible job loses. I am not saying that we need to experience that again.
HOWEVER - I think that instead of giving Wall Street another dime - the Government should do its job and protect the people. Give me my tax money back. Make it easier for me - while I weather the storm. Freeze credit. We can all live without a new car. Ease the crunch by having a borrowing holiday.
I would not give those greedy rat bastards on Wall Street a piece of chewed gum - let alone billions of dollars. They fucked up - they should pay. They should lose their big houses and big bonus and their golden parachutes.
After the market collapse in 1929 and a period of terrible austerity for most Americans - we had a period of enormous economic expansion. Granted a War helped - but I would argue that when the chips fall - SOMEONE picks them up.
The government should not bail out companies they should protect citizens and they should enforce the rules we have and they should stop accepting corporate campaign dollars and they should throw these cheats and frauds in jail and lose the key.
Maybe if we went after White Collar Criminals the same way we did drug dealers (who by the way run a CASH business... mmmm) people might make better business decisions.
4. Capitalism is organic - kinda like the Hunting Lion
Would you step in front of a hungry Lion about to take down a gazelle. Yeah, me neither. Capitalism is alot like that. It is ugly in its raw organic form. I would argue that of any economic system it is the most organic in that it follows the laws of nature. Survival of the fittest and all of that - BUT it works.
What does not work is all this intervention and rule breaking and all of that. We either have a free market or we do not. We either want a capitalist state or we do not. We either let the cards fall where they may or we reward bad behavior and encourage it to be repeated.
Our economy is built almost completely on NOW NOW NOW and more credit and more credit.
The House Republicans actually asked some of these questions and I applaud that (regardless of their reasons.) The entire mess is a mess of our own gerrymandering and frankly no bail out is going to solve the root of the problem. The problem is cultural and systemic and deep and goes back about 4 generations. We are a culture of greedy Me-First - Gimme, Gimme, Gimme - people - who have lost site of important things - like honor, dignity, community, and compassion.
So I ask you - What really is that House of Cards?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
What IS she saying....
Ok I listen to this 3 times and WHAT EXACTLY IS SHE SAYING... I am scared really really scared.
But HEY this little sound bite did ONE great thing for me - Made me scared enough to go get an OBAMA/BIDEN yard sign!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Sexy, Talented and Smart... People should listen to Matt D.
Not only is he sexy and talented he is politically savvy and smart. He is ASKING some really good questions. The Republicans made a BAD pick and the reality is Sara Palin is not by any stretch of the imagination qualified to run this country. Not at all.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Jon Stewart knows how to TIVO!
And man the Republicans wish he was still struggling with his VCR! It is amazing how 2 faced they can actually be.... I am sure the Democrats can too - but seriously it tends to come from the right hand side most often - in my humble opinion and since this is my BLOG - my Opinion is the one with editorial discretion.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Safety first, Gratuitous last...
I sent this email this morning to the principal, superintendent and the school board president.
*******
Mr. S. -
As I walked L to school today, I noticed that once again there was no crossing guard at the D and D Rd crosswalk. I was under the impression that YOU had made it a point to see that we would have a crossing guard.
That intersection is simply too dangerous and too close to a VERY VERY busy road to not have a crossing guard.
I walk L to school - but many many kiddos go it solo and it is not safe. In my humble opinion the guard is more important at the D/D Road cross walk than at the one that crosses children at edge of the employee parking lot.
I have already made the board aware of my displeasure at their enthusiasm to offer the superintendent UNNEEDED and completely undeserved additional HOUSING ALLOWANCES and in the same breath cry that there are not enough funds to protect my child as she walks to school. It is about priorities and I can think of nothing more important than my baby's safety. I shall be voting no on the levy unless the superintendent gives back his Housing Allowance with is gratuitous at best and until I see the district's focus back where it should be - ON THE SAFETY OF MY BABY AND HER FRIENDS.
There is no compelling reason that there is not a crossing guard at that intersection, while the superintendent gets additional and unearned pay. None! Not in a down economy and not with a multi - million bond and levy on the table. Not even in the dream world the board must be living in.
Thank you for your time and attention. I think you are doing a great job and I hope to see a guard there very soon. You are right to keep the cars out of the circle - it is a safety issue JUST as having a guard at the dangerous intersection is a safety issue. It is all about SAFETY FIRST.
All the Best (for the Kids!)
*******
Mr. S. -
As I walked L to school today, I noticed that once again there was no crossing guard at the D and D Rd crosswalk. I was under the impression that YOU had made it a point to see that we would have a crossing guard.
That intersection is simply too dangerous and too close to a VERY VERY busy road to not have a crossing guard.
I walk L to school - but many many kiddos go it solo and it is not safe. In my humble opinion the guard is more important at the D/D Road cross walk than at the one that crosses children at edge of the employee parking lot.
I have already made the board aware of my displeasure at their enthusiasm to offer the superintendent UNNEEDED and completely undeserved additional HOUSING ALLOWANCES and in the same breath cry that there are not enough funds to protect my child as she walks to school. It is about priorities and I can think of nothing more important than my baby's safety. I shall be voting no on the levy unless the superintendent gives back his Housing Allowance with is gratuitous at best and until I see the district's focus back where it should be - ON THE SAFETY OF MY BABY AND HER FRIENDS.
There is no compelling reason that there is not a crossing guard at that intersection, while the superintendent gets additional and unearned pay. None! Not in a down economy and not with a multi - million bond and levy on the table. Not even in the dream world the board must be living in.
Thank you for your time and attention. I think you are doing a great job and I hope to see a guard there very soon. You are right to keep the cars out of the circle - it is a safety issue JUST as having a guard at the dangerous intersection is a safety issue. It is all about SAFETY FIRST.
All the Best (for the Kids!)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A woman's (girl's) right to choose...
Ok I have had enough. Bristol Paulin is pregnant. She is 17 and unmarried and her mother is running for VP - HER MOTHER. I think the media should leave her alone.
I am Pro-Choice. I think I have been pro-Choice since before I really even grasped the gray area of that choice - BUT news flash - being pro-CHOICE means one can choose to have the baby also. Pro-Choice is not pro abortion.... Being pro-choice is about supporting and affirming a woman's right to reproductive freedom.
I am pro-Choice and have never had an abortion - I have had 2 babies, a miscarriage, used all manner of birth control, been screened for all manner of STDs and so forth. I have benefited from low cost birth control thru the school clinic. I have benefited from free sex ed. I had the county nurse come visit me at home when both babies were born. I benefited from lactation counseling with both babies. When I thought I might be pregnant in college - I knew that abortion was a choice.
Bristol can choose to have her baby and if she has the right amount of support from her family and the baby's father - then I think that is great! She is lucky and sure her life will be different and challenging - but it is her CHOICE. I am not sure the circumstanses of her pregnancy - did they or did they not use birth control, had she had access to sex ed or was she a victim of the right-wing's abstinence only sex ed program. (Hey guys - see hormones will derail that one every time.... (um kinda like that time with the hookers and the whipped cream - oh right different post.....)
The problem with many anti-CHOICE public officials and activists is they are also anti-sex ed, anti-birth control, anti-access to inexpensive OB/GYN services and clinics. Let's be frank - many of them are just plain anti-sex and in some cases - ANTI-Women. (Or they have a narrow world view of a woman's place in the world.)
I have spent zero time looking into the organization Feminists for Life, which Sara Paulin is a member - if it is truly an organization which provides support for women who CHOOSE to have their babies - then BRAVO. I somehow doubt it is that straightforward.
The bottom line for me is Choice. Obama-Biden is committed to keeping my Choices on the table - McCain-Paulin - they want me to limit my choices to THOSE they deem acceptable.
That is UNACCEPTABLE to me - as is digging into Bristol's CHOICES - she is not running for office - she is preparing herself for motherhood. It is a big step and thankfully she has support - not every 17 year in Bristol's shoes is so lucky - my vote hopefully will help that woman, the one lost and alone and needing all the facts and all the support to make the RIGHT decision for her.
I am Pro-Choice. I think I have been pro-Choice since before I really even grasped the gray area of that choice - BUT news flash - being pro-CHOICE means one can choose to have the baby also. Pro-Choice is not pro abortion.... Being pro-choice is about supporting and affirming a woman's right to reproductive freedom.
I am pro-Choice and have never had an abortion - I have had 2 babies, a miscarriage, used all manner of birth control, been screened for all manner of STDs and so forth. I have benefited from low cost birth control thru the school clinic. I have benefited from free sex ed. I had the county nurse come visit me at home when both babies were born. I benefited from lactation counseling with both babies. When I thought I might be pregnant in college - I knew that abortion was a choice.
Bristol can choose to have her baby and if she has the right amount of support from her family and the baby's father - then I think that is great! She is lucky and sure her life will be different and challenging - but it is her CHOICE. I am not sure the circumstanses of her pregnancy - did they or did they not use birth control, had she had access to sex ed or was she a victim of the right-wing's abstinence only sex ed program. (Hey guys - see hormones will derail that one every time.... (um kinda like that time with the hookers and the whipped cream - oh right different post.....)
The problem with many anti-CHOICE public officials and activists is they are also anti-sex ed, anti-birth control, anti-access to inexpensive OB/GYN services and clinics. Let's be frank - many of them are just plain anti-sex and in some cases - ANTI-Women. (Or they have a narrow world view of a woman's place in the world.)
I have spent zero time looking into the organization Feminists for Life, which Sara Paulin is a member - if it is truly an organization which provides support for women who CHOOSE to have their babies - then BRAVO. I somehow doubt it is that straightforward.
The bottom line for me is Choice. Obama-Biden is committed to keeping my Choices on the table - McCain-Paulin - they want me to limit my choices to THOSE they deem acceptable.
That is UNACCEPTABLE to me - as is digging into Bristol's CHOICES - she is not running for office - she is preparing herself for motherhood. It is a big step and thankfully she has support - not every 17 year in Bristol's shoes is so lucky - my vote hopefully will help that woman, the one lost and alone and needing all the facts and all the support to make the RIGHT decision for her.
Monday, August 18, 2008
No more funds...
Last month, the school board agreed to pay the superintendent an additional $1,800 a month for rent and utilities until his house in Chagrin Falls is sold. When Axner took over the position a year ago, he moved into an apartment in Dublin and his family stayed in Chagrin Falls so his son could complete his senior year. He spent weekdays here and tried to get home most weekends.
He put his home up for sale five months ago but it has not sold, board president Gwen Callender said. Axner moved his family into a rented home in Dublin two weeks ago and hopes to buy a house here once his Chagrin Falls home sells.
Kalson said everybody is "tightening their belts" in today's economy and she has a problem with the additional compensation. While she appreciates the $5.5-million in budget cuts Axner and district treasurer Steve Osborne found and the board approved, they included the elimination of elementary school library aides.
The $21,600 the board will pay Axner over the next year would pay for one aide, she told the board.
That is misleading, Callender said, because once the house sells the additional compensation stops.
After hearing from Kalson the board stands behind its decision, Callender said.
Nothing in Axner's contract required him to move here or move his family here, she said. The board recently gave Axner a near perfect evaluation, despite his commutes to see his family, "and we expect him to be even more effective as a leader now that he's moved them here É
"We will now have him down here full-time É which is a huge benefit for us," she said. The board plans to revisit the additional compensation issue next May if the house still has not sold.
Then a mere few weeks later the school board decides to discuss and vote to put a levy and bond issue on the November ballot. (full story here!)
Then I read the lengths some school distracts are going to to save money. (story here)
*****
Are you kidding me? The superintendent should have to pay his own living costs. I can see making the deal to let his child finish his senior year of high school - but it was HIS choice to take a new job and WHO I ask is going to foot the cost of living increases all of us face. Groceries are more expensive, gas prices thru the roof, goods are costing more thanks to a weak dollar!
Why should I have to pay the superintendent's housing costs and pay for his 3% wage increase. Excuse me - but times are tough and he should have to eat it in his pocket book like everyone else. H is a pilot and I betcha when contract talks come around - the company will be looking for concessions again.
I plan to vote no on the levy - becasue I just do not think that the board has the best interests of the community at heart and I think it takes alot of nerve to come to us - asking for yet more money when they are willing to just give in and pay the superintendent more money. I am sorry his house has not sold - but that is a fact of life - sometimes things just do not work out as planned. If his contract stipulated that he had to move to Dublin - they maybe - but it does not - so he made this choice of his own free will and it should be on his own dime!
I moved here for good schools and they are great schools - but I also expect the school board to make solid business decisions and coming to voters asking for money in a down economic climate is irresponsible and unreasonable. Giving the superintendent a 3% raise and a cushy housing allowance when the rest of us are counting our pennies and tightening our belts is JUST WRONG.
While I do not want to see the students in this distract using old and out dated materials and not having enough enrichment activities - I think that some belt tightening would not hurt. Beside the levy and bond issue are all for the building of more classrooms and improvements to existing buildings. While this might impact the students down the road and I am sure the distract may at some point grow - growth in the next 5 years is not horribly likely with the downturn in the economy and the tightening of credit in the area of home mortgages.
I question the boards projections and I question their judgment asking us for these funds - becasue one thing is for sure - if funds are available they will spend it - as evidenced by their misguided decision to give the superintendent more money when in fact he does not deserve more money on top of his 3% raise. We should all be that lucky.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
It is honorable to be honest...
Honesty. I think that is the key. It is honorable to be honest and it is honorable to be a person of your word. This is a "family" value which many in positions of power seem to struggle with. CEOs of investment banks lying to the board or shareholders. Politicos lying about affairs. Husbands and wives lying to each other.
In our culture, while what Edwards is presumed to have done (what my father did) and what countless men and women do every day - cheat - is marginally acceptable. Acceptable in the finger pointing, vilifying way - but accepted and discussed in the public forums. I am sure their will be echoes of "that bastard - he cheated on his wife during her battle with cancer....." or the occasional "way to go John, she was hot..." or something in between.
When one holds or wishes to hold a position of power - the truth always seems to come out. From what I have read his wife, Elizabeth seemed to have known prior to the headlines on Friday. (Well that is small consolation - but at least she knew prior. It sounds like they have had some time to attempt to heal.)
I am sadden because his behavior is a betrayal of his covenant to his wife, it shows lack of judgment and character. That he out right lied about it is an issue for someone seeking public office. To be fair - I do not think he is a bad person because he has SEX with someone other than his wife - it is the deceit and the lying that I take issue with. How they choose to structure their relationship, rebuild or otherwise is a PRIVATE matter.
For me it is not that John had sex with someone else - it is that he lied to so many people (mainly his wife - but then to the American people) in the process. Sex is not love and love is not sex and SEX is really not the issue here - regardless of what so many people will think - the real issue is being honest.
Transparency is very important. I agree that candidates and public officials and even celebritants should be afforded some measure of privacy. That said though when one puts themselves in the public eye or is asking us to charge them with a very big duty - like becoming president - it is important that they be honest, trustworthy and honorable. Note I did not say perfect. Mistakes happen and there is always that chance for a lapse in judgment, but then that is when true strength and honor shine - when one takes responsibility for one's actions.
In our culture, while what Edwards is presumed to have done (what my father did) and what countless men and women do every day - cheat - is marginally acceptable. Acceptable in the finger pointing, vilifying way - but accepted and discussed in the public forums. I am sure their will be echoes of "that bastard - he cheated on his wife during her battle with cancer....." or the occasional "way to go John, she was hot..." or something in between.
When one holds or wishes to hold a position of power - the truth always seems to come out. From what I have read his wife, Elizabeth seemed to have known prior to the headlines on Friday. (Well that is small consolation - but at least she knew prior. It sounds like they have had some time to attempt to heal.)
I am sadden because his behavior is a betrayal of his covenant to his wife, it shows lack of judgment and character. That he out right lied about it is an issue for someone seeking public office. To be fair - I do not think he is a bad person because he has SEX with someone other than his wife - it is the deceit and the lying that I take issue with. How they choose to structure their relationship, rebuild or otherwise is a PRIVATE matter.
For me it is not that John had sex with someone else - it is that he lied to so many people (mainly his wife - but then to the American people) in the process. Sex is not love and love is not sex and SEX is really not the issue here - regardless of what so many people will think - the real issue is being honest.
Transparency is very important. I agree that candidates and public officials and even celebritants should be afforded some measure of privacy. That said though when one puts themselves in the public eye or is asking us to charge them with a very big duty - like becoming president - it is important that they be honest, trustworthy and honorable. Note I did not say perfect. Mistakes happen and there is always that chance for a lapse in judgment, but then that is when true strength and honor shine - when one takes responsibility for one's actions.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Mirror Mirror on the Wall...
...my nemesis sounds so much like me.
This has to be what our esteemed president says when he hears stuff like this. (find the entire bit here)
This has to be what our esteemed president says when he hears stuff like this. (find the entire bit here)
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's president on Tuesday blamed the U.S. and other "big powers" for global ills such as nuclear proliferation and AIDS, and accused them of exploiting the U.N. for their own
But, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, time was on the poor countries' side."The big powers are going down," Ahmadinejad told foreign ministers of the Nonaligned Movement meeting in Tehran. "They have come to the end of their power, and the world is on the verge of entering a new, promising era."
How is that 2 of the worlds leaders can sounds so - well juvenile. Do they have the same demented speech writers? Iran's president is talking about "big powers" and last week Bush is lamenting the "Wall Street Thugs." Are you kidding me?
There is an obligation fellow voters - to show up on election day and to CHOOSE the best man for the job. The Iranian's I can excuse - given that the democratic process is a bit corrupted and well it is kinda a police state - vote for the wrong guy - lose your hand. What I ask is this country's problem?
I will say the comments of the President of Iran have vision - misguided and kinda scary sometimes - but there is a twinkle of vision. More than I can say for our ducky guy!
While throwing stones - I will also say that Obama seems to have vision and can articulate it well - and McCain has been known to have vision - articulation optional. I am not sure either man has enough of either - vision nor articulation to really energize the American voter. It is really sad.
One wonders:
Are they a reflection of our apathy?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
If it is broken - why not just fix it?
A friend sent me this joke:
First off - I think it is very funny and on the other hand - sadly all too true! In a previous post I suggested we need to do something radical. There is no reason that we need to stick with the same old same old - there is no law, no rule and if there is - then I say we throw it out and start something new. THE CURRENT TWO PARTY SYSTEM IS BROKEN! It is not working. It is like a bad marriage crying out for divorce or some serious and in depth counseling. The constant in fighting and all is counter productive and WASTE of everyone's time.
Isn't it sad that in the world larges democracy - it is once again a choice of not who is the best for the job - but the lesser of two evils at worst and at best the only one willing to stick it out. I happen to like aspects of both McCain and Obama - but by the end of the 5 month campaign of in fighting and finger pointing and media circus - I will want to hang myself more than cast my vote.
This is my rallying cry - Can the spin and sit down and DO SOMETHING DAMN IT! We have real problems and NO ONE CURRENTLY IN POWER is doing anything - other than finger pointing or shoving their head up their ass!
We need a 3rd party or a 4th and we need someone to final admit out loud - that the system is broken and needs fixed. It worked during the horse and buggy era but we are in the modern age and we need to shake it up and get with the program!
Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Mc Cain were flying to a debate.
Barack looked at Hillary, Chuckled and said, 'You know I could throw a $1,000 bill out of the window right now and make somebody very happy.'
Hillary shrugged her shoulders and replied, 'I could throw ten $100 bills out of the window and make ten people very happy.'
John added, 'That being the case, I could throw one hundred $10 bills out of the window and make a hundred people very happy.'
Hearing their exchange, the pilot rolled his eyes and said to his copilot, 'Such big-shots back there. I could throw all three of them out of the window and make 156 million people very happy.'
I'm voting for the Pilot.
First off - I think it is very funny and on the other hand - sadly all too true! In a previous post I suggested we need to do something radical. There is no reason that we need to stick with the same old same old - there is no law, no rule and if there is - then I say we throw it out and start something new. THE CURRENT TWO PARTY SYSTEM IS BROKEN! It is not working. It is like a bad marriage crying out for divorce or some serious and in depth counseling. The constant in fighting and all is counter productive and WASTE of everyone's time.
Isn't it sad that in the world larges democracy - it is once again a choice of not who is the best for the job - but the lesser of two evils at worst and at best the only one willing to stick it out. I happen to like aspects of both McCain and Obama - but by the end of the 5 month campaign of in fighting and finger pointing and media circus - I will want to hang myself more than cast my vote.
This is my rallying cry - Can the spin and sit down and DO SOMETHING DAMN IT! We have real problems and NO ONE CURRENTLY IN POWER is doing anything - other than finger pointing or shoving their head up their ass!
We need a 3rd party or a 4th and we need someone to final admit out loud - that the system is broken and needs fixed. It worked during the horse and buggy era but we are in the modern age and we need to shake it up and get with the program!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Hey I have a radical idea....
Oh great Hilliary dropped out or bowed out or stepped aside or whatever. Now we are going to be subjected to the Obama/McCain slug fest for 5 months. Yippee! I can hardly wait! So I have a radical idea. It will change the political landscape for years to come - but then drafting the Declaration of Independence was a very radical step - the founding fathers could have been literally hung out to dry - had Paul Reever not hauled ass thru the country side that night. President Lincoln drafting and signing the Emancipation Proclamation was pretty radical also. While Tenimen Square did not work exactly like the protesters had planned - it was a move for radical change.
So here is my radical idea. Let's not have a general election. Lets have 2 presidents. Let's have President McCain and President Obama. They can draft up a contract and decided who is going to handle what, sign what types of legislation or decide to do it like a committee and if they are dead locked the VP will break the tie. Obama has some wonderful strengths as does McCain. They are different and therefore a partnership would be very Ying-Yang and I honestly think it would help unify us as a nation and it might actually lead to the resolution of fair number of problems in a short period of time.
I for one am tired of the same old same old. I am tired of the Democrats verse the Republicans, the finger pointing, the coping out, the in fighting and all that crap. Shut up and do something. Hell for shits and grins - do something radical!
So here is my radical idea. Let's not have a general election. Lets have 2 presidents. Let's have President McCain and President Obama. They can draft up a contract and decided who is going to handle what, sign what types of legislation or decide to do it like a committee and if they are dead locked the VP will break the tie. Obama has some wonderful strengths as does McCain. They are different and therefore a partnership would be very Ying-Yang and I honestly think it would help unify us as a nation and it might actually lead to the resolution of fair number of problems in a short period of time.
I for one am tired of the same old same old. I am tired of the Democrats verse the Republicans, the finger pointing, the coping out, the in fighting and all that crap. Shut up and do something. Hell for shits and grins - do something radical!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
See I told you I was the kiss of death...
So I think someone once told me that you are not suppose to tell people how much you make, who you vote for and how often you have sex, but well I think that is just silly. Anyone very internet savvy can find all of that out - I think and well I am going to spill the beans anyway.
I voted on Tuesday in the Ohio Primary - for Obama. I felt like I not only liked his platform, but he is conducting himself with grace and professionalism and I think those are presidential qualities. So did Obama do so well in Ohio. No of course not - I voted for him. As you will recall I said I was going vote for Edwards and the next day he dropped out, what are the chances?
So I just have to hope that when it comes time to vote come November, I have found a cure to this curse or we could be in a serious bind. I am so longing for change and a fresh face in the White House!
I voted on Tuesday in the Ohio Primary - for Obama. I felt like I not only liked his platform, but he is conducting himself with grace and professionalism and I think those are presidential qualities. So did Obama do so well in Ohio. No of course not - I voted for him. As you will recall I said I was going vote for Edwards and the next day he dropped out, what are the chances?
So I just have to hope that when it comes time to vote come November, I have found a cure to this curse or we could be in a serious bind. I am so longing for change and a fresh face in the White House!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
This is the kind of campagin ad I like to see...
This is clever and very well done - why can't we have more of this. This type of ad I can actually watch! It is not snippy or whiny or mean spirited. It is smart, witty, clever and very savvy!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Me and my big mouth
So I was discussing politics the other night with a friend. In the primary I generally declare Democrat - not because I adore their platform or think they are particularly right all of the time - but I do it so I can vote against the Republicans.
I try to follow my heart and my brain and my conscience and I am a liberal and I am pro-choice. So with that in mind - I try to vote the best I can - given what I am given to pick from.
I do like McCain. He is a stand up guy. He served his country and survived being a POW. He is a maverick and he seems to say what is on his mind. He is the Joe Lieberman of the Republican party. (At least I thought so....) He might have had my vote, but he is Anti-Choice and I just cannot go there. That for me is a defining issue. See my previous post. Stay away from the womb with your rules and laws.
So on the Democrat side - I really liked Edwards. I liked him 4 years ago and I maintain that if it had been Edwards Kerry, the race would have turned out very differently. So I told my friend - I was voting for Edwards. He was for me and then WHAT THE HELL - the next day he dropped out. You have to be kidding me.... I am the kiss of death. I should just not say a word.
So now I have to regroup and decided between Clinton or Obama. Both are good candidates I think - but they lacked the drive and the Progressive energy that Edwards had.
I try to follow my heart and my brain and my conscience and I am a liberal and I am pro-choice. So with that in mind - I try to vote the best I can - given what I am given to pick from.
I do like McCain. He is a stand up guy. He served his country and survived being a POW. He is a maverick and he seems to say what is on his mind. He is the Joe Lieberman of the Republican party. (At least I thought so....) He might have had my vote, but he is Anti-Choice and I just cannot go there. That for me is a defining issue. See my previous post. Stay away from the womb with your rules and laws.
So on the Democrat side - I really liked Edwards. I liked him 4 years ago and I maintain that if it had been Edwards Kerry, the race would have turned out very differently. So I told my friend - I was voting for Edwards. He was for me and then WHAT THE HELL - the next day he dropped out. You have to be kidding me.... I am the kiss of death. I should just not say a word.
So now I have to regroup and decided between Clinton or Obama. Both are good candidates I think - but they lacked the drive and the Progressive energy that Edwards had.
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