gluttony

the danger of getting involved with tv series via DVD is not being able to stop myself from watching all episodes.

strangely, i've had trouble bringing myself to finish The West Wing.

i'm the same way about books--I gorge on new books by my authors.

oh, and, p.s. frozen baileys is delightful and feels like a milk shake


feliz ano nuevo

sentimental fool

Am watching the Kennedy Center Honors. It's one of my favorite "Award Shows" was reminded of this moment (Teenage Wasteland - Concert for New York) and it made me a bit weepy.

rambling

It's 1:00 in the morning and I don't really feel like going to sleep. I've watched 6 episodes of Mad Men and could conceive of watching more except I do have to get up later to take the dog out and can't just roll myself over and over and stay asleep.

Being as I'm on Christmas Break I should really accomplish something like ooooh cleaning my room. Actually I need to do that tomorrow. Symbolically starting the New Year not in a complete mess.

Sister Dubh wrote a really good entry about feeling different about Christmas. Not feeling the pure joy of the holiday as she had in the past. I've been feeling that for the last couple of years.

More to the crux of my mood (which I'm still debating about labelling)...I have no plans for New Years Eve. I could go flake out at my parents. But, God, it's flaking out at my parents. Scratch that, I tried to make plans for New Years Eve but my friend decided she wanted to stick with family. SisDubh was waffly from the start. So I'll fall back on my personal tradition and go buy a steak and some goodies for me and have my own personal New Year's Eve. I try hard to not feel pathetic...but, well, it is what it is. Maybe I'll just pull a West Wing Marathon. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Bonus: I've supercool plans for Inauguration Day--which means I have to take a personal day from work. Right after a three day weekend. Ya know what. I don't care! I'm going to be so happy over the moon that day that I can't be at work. I wouldn't be able to hide it.

I was so revolted during the last inauguration and was forced to watch it and bite holes through my tongue that I promised myself I would take the next one off. So there.

There's something I like about a relatively anonymous blog. A lot of which is I can babble as much as I want. Ha! Away with me.

update

Okay. So it has been a while since I typed anything of substance. I think I got a little burned out by election writing. Also, I must admit that I generally run hot and cold on journalling.

Am gearing up for Christmas. Have bunches of stuff....need to do an inventory so I know what to go out for this week and next. I love shopping for people.

It's crazy cold here. Especially for us. Thinkin' bout pullin out the bumble bee coat to wear to school even though I usually keep it for walkin' the dog.

Am crazy annoyed by parents who have issue with us attending the Lucy's Legacy exhibit because they don't agree with evolution.

Dunno what else to type. Will try to be better.

sigh.

US casualties in Iraq: 4209
US casualties in Afghanistan: 628

from here

This commercial gets me...

..every stinkin' time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST9dAxSKLtw

...even in tough times...

The local t.v. station saw a 100% increase in donations --even tho' times are tough. Sometimes things happen that let you know things will be okay.

See Here

coooooooooool

Frustration

Deacon posted this article and I responded. Will edit and add the response when/if Deacon posts it. I am SO frustrated.

EDITED TO ADD
Here's my post.....

It seems to me, that there's a lot of stone casting and pointing out of splinters going on.The church I love is breaking my heart. How dare these men threaten to take Jesus away from the faithful.

I voted for him. I voted for Barack Obama! I'm proud of that vote! I didn't vote for him because he's "pro-abortion". I voted for him because something in this nation HAS to change. I voted for him because--to the depths of my soul--I don't believe the republicans will do anything.I voted for him because we were better off 8 years ago. I voted for him because I had a gut feeling about a certain governor from Texas 8 years ago and God help me I was right. I've been crying since that Texas governor was elected and I'm tired of it. And I'll say it...I voted for him because he made me feel hopeFUL rather than hopeLESS. So don't you tell me that I'm "not Catholic enough".

If you're against abortion then get off your backside and organize comprehensive sex education with moral foundations. Don't tap dance around it. Tell the kids the truth.

Make a positive impact rather than scaring people away from Jesus. Teach people why abortion is wrong without attacking them. Get on Oprah, get on Ellen, get into the mainstream media without being hateful. Lobby against FOCA and publicize why. And above all do not tell me that I am pro-abortion because I didn't vote for the Republican.

Sorry for the rant Deacon but I'm in a bad place tonight and I'm scared to death that these reactionaries are going to chase away my sister for good.

Armistice Day

It is my responsibility to watch shows like this:

http://thecorporalsdiary.com/

God Bless The Veterans

Uneasiness lifted

So, as shown in my previous post Obama was victorious (thanks be to God) In this post I wrote about whether or not my unease would lift if Obama won.

Well.


Yes. It has. Mostly, I think it is this overwhelming sense of possibility...of optimism. People flooded into the streets of Seattle after his victory was announced. Honestly, things can only get better.

I want so much to tell people who are upset that McCain didn't win, "see...see... that's what we've felt since the election was stolen in 2000". But I think that would be mean spirited. It is mildly entertaining and more than mildly amusing and a little scary to listen to the 6th,7th,&8th graders I teach lament the "end of the world" because Barack Obama will be our president. The ridiculousness of it all is that they are just regurgitating their parents' claptrap.

And so.....view the countdown below, I'm takin' that day off so that I can be as happy as ever and not have to hide it and watch all the pomp and circumstance.

oh. my. yes.

as my friend said, it's like being in an episode of The West Wing

sigh.

4190 in Iraq
626 in Afghanistan*


*from here

ohGodohGodohGodohGodohGodohGodohGodohGodohGodohGod

According to the big widgetty thing on MSNBC: Live Results Available in 17 hours and 22 minutes.

I am in a panic. I think the only reason I'll be able to sleep is that I'm exhausted. I'm really worried about the outcome. I think my main prayer is that it's a fair election. I don't want there to be any question.

Spent the weekend at youth convention. There were so many really really good speakers. One in particular made me so so so sad because he talked about his younger brothers starving to death. His older brother was tired of fighting for food so one morning Thomas woke up and his older brother had left. Thomas also talked about how Catholic Relief Services "tricked" him into going to school. He had to stay a bit to get a snack. Then he had to stay a bit longer to get lunch. The whole crowd at convention gave him a standing "o" when he announced that he had just achieved a master's degree.

And then. Oh God. And then. He told us that when he's talking in schools he often gets invited to lunch. At the end of lunch, when he sees how much food is wasted he has to find a place to cry. That choked me up, made me weepy. Our kids (at school) waste so much food.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness??

"We can protect the values This great nation was built upon Life, Faith, and Family"

This is an attractive video. Well shot. Good music. The above quote is at the end of it and it makes me go..."Hmmmm?".

It's really indicative of my frustration and struggle. This illustrates why I've posted twice about just wanting it over. There's a small part of my brain that says I'm struggling with this because my decision (been mailed in already) is wrong. I'm so stubborn tho'.

One big HUGE argument is at this article. Particularly in the comments here. The whole thing really breaks my heart.

I'm also just plain scared.

I also what this done so I can actually write about something else. :P

so....I want it done

I've said it before. I want the election over. I feel as though I'm getting bombarded with how bad a person I am for voting for Barack Obama. Bishops have come out saying it's nigh on to a mortal sin to vote for Barack Obama. I don't want to venture to assume "What Jesus Would Do"; but I think that he would not be too involved with "politics".

On another note... my student who I talked about here actually was training in august. He just graduated and is a scout. He leaves for Iraq in a couple of months. After he left, I had to hide for a moment in my classroom because I was trying to keep myself from crying. I am so, so worried for him. Also, found out that another former student is in the same unit. I've never prayed so hard.

Mad

So, I'm catching up on my milblogs...and then other milblogs I get led to....see The Sandbox widget to the left. At some point I realize woefully that I don't know what the current Death Toll is for Iraq and Afghanistan. That fries my bacon something fierce. Why don't the newscasts end with the death toll? Probably the same reason we don't see flag draped coffins. If we were subject to the number everyday I bet people would have more of a fire lit under their butts to get this thing done.

Ya know it pisses me off that people probably don't know this information. Also, I'm frustrated that I have to hunt down the numbers. Trying to get to the Washington Post Site so I can link to their "Faces of the Fallen" Project.

4183 in Iraq

612 in Afghanistan*

An even more painful thought is those veterans who have taken their own life because they didn't have the help/support/whatever they needed.

I pray for them all.


*from here

holy moly

so I had a great idea to write about last night when I was walking the dog. I can't remember what it was. I've gotten out of the practice of writing so I thought I would just check with a brief entry.

New thing: There's a certain peace that comes with having the house clean. We had a pretty major dinner party so the house was cleaned from top to bottom. Each time I do a major clean there's this desire to "keep it up" then it takes about a week before it's all over.

I haven't done anything today and I'm yawning like a fiend.

I guess that's all today.

Frustration + Politics

The election can't come soon enough to suit me. Because I work at a parochial school and do a lot of work within the parish I have little concept of what views are outside my realm. The community here is VERY conservative. At least the vocal people are the most conservative. I feel muzzled because I can't talk about my political views. There is no nuance here. More than one car has the "If you vote pro-Abortion; you are pro-Abortion" bumper sticker. The silent (possibly) people who don't support McCain speak in hushed tones. It's almost like we're an underground. We speak softly and quickly looking around in case we're overheard. It's freakin' ridiculous. What pains me most is I can't "back-up" my students from families that support the democrats with anything other than, "No politics in class". I've been burned before.

I feel really isolated.

I posted this over at the Deacon's Bench, in response to a response to one of the Deacon's post.

Forgive me if I've become bitter from listening to Pro-Life Politicians (and Catholic Lay-People) spout off about how much they value human life. As long as sweet cute helpless babies are safe all is right with the world. Who cares about criminals or foreigners or poor women of color and their children.
Oh I get proportionate reasons...but what about hypocracy? The word pharisee keeps rolling through my head.

I just feel like there's a better way to accomplish the pro-life aims than counting on politicians to do anything.

Send Me A Shower of Roses

St. Therese of Lisieux - the Little Flower



Yesterday was her "feast". I enjoyed very much studying her teaching. She is so beautiful to me.



Some of her words:



"...believe me when I tell you that we never have too much confidence in the good Lord who is so powerful and merciful. We obtain from Him as much as we hope for."



"God would not give me the desire of doing good on earth, if He did not intend to fulfill it. He would rather give me the desire of finding my repose in Him."



"This {eternal beatitude} is not the thing that attracts me, but love. To love, to be loved, and to return to earth to make Love loved."

Debate One

Kinda boring. Toss up. Obama's zingers had bite.

The Stranger Blog (SLOG) had a fun liveblog going.

freakin' t.v. shows

Gray's Anatomy made me cry. I can't be surprised; it always does. As I said when I texted my sister about out it....sheesh...I'm all for the willing suspension of disbelief but freakin' snow, in freakin' seattle, in freakin' SEPTEMBER.

Then I go to check on one of the blogs I read. I want this election over. I'm so tired of the clash between my religion and politics. I hate that I'm judged by some as a "bad Catholic" because I can't bring myself to support the Republican candidate. Voting for Barack Obama makes me "pro-abortion".

And maybe part of it is that I'm selfish - things were better when a democrat was in office. I've been miserable "Waiting for the other shoe to drop" since GWB took office.

But too, I believe in my heart that stopping abortions won't be a political thing. It needs to be a social movement. We need to educate people.

And I'm rambling...I'll try for coherent later.

I Miss the West Wing soooo much

Here's the part I love about this little blurb

"a conversation between Bartlet and Obama"

BARTLET: Well ... let me think. ...We went to war against the wrong country, Osama bin Laden just celebrated his seventh anniversary of not being caught either dead or alive, my family’s less safe than it was eight years ago, we’ve lost trillions of dollars, millions of jobs, thousands of lives and we lost an entire city due to bad weather. So, you know ... I’m a little angry.

OBAMA: What would you do?

BARTLET: GET ANGRIER! Call them liars, because that’s what they are. Sarah Palin didn’t say “thanks but no thanks” to the Bridge to Nowhere. She just said “Thanks.” You were raised by a single mother on food stamps — where does a guy with eight houses who was legacied into Annapolis get off calling you an elitist? And by the way, if you do nothing else, take that word back. Elite is a good word, it means well above average. I’d ask them what their problem is with excellence. While you’re at it, I want the word “patriot” back. McCain can say that the transcendent issue of our time is the spread of Islamic fanaticism or he can choose a running mate who doesn’t know the Bush doctrine from the Monroe Doctrine, but he can’t do both at the same time and call it patriotic. They have to lie — the truth isn’t their friend right now. Get angry. Mock them mercilessly; they’ve earned it. McCain decried agents of intolerance, then chose a running mate who had to ask if she was allowed to ban books from a public library. It’s not bad enough she thinks the planet Earth was created in six days 6,000 years ago complete with a man, a woman and a talking snake, she wants schools to teach the rest of our kids to deny geology, anthropology, archaeology and common sense too? It’s not bad enough she’s forcing her own daughter into a loveless marriage to a teenage hood, she wants the rest of us to guide our daughters in that direction too? It’s not enough that a woman shouldn’t have the right to choose, it should be the law of the land that she has to carry and deliver her rapist’s baby too? I don’t know whether or not Governor Palin has the tenacity of a pit bull, but I know for sure she’s got the qualifications of one. And you’re worried about seeming angry? You could eat their lunch, make them cry and tell their mamas about it and God himself would call it restrained. There are times when you are simply required to be impolite. There are times when condescension is called for!

OBAMA: Good to get that off your chest?

BARTLET: Am I keeping you from something?

OBAMA: Well, it’s not as if I didn’t know all of that and it took you like 20 minutes to say.

BARTLET: I know, I have a problem, but admitting it is the first step.

OBAMA: What’s the second step?

BARTLET: I don’t care.

OBAMA: So what about hope? Chuck it for outrage and put-downs?

BARTLET: No. You’re elite, you can do both. Four weeks ago you had the best week of your campaign, followed — granted, inexplicably — by the worst week of your campaign. And you’re still in a statistical dead heat. You’re a 47-year-old black man with a foreign-sounding name who went to Harvard and thinks devotion to your country and lapel pins aren’t the same thing and you’re in a statistical tie with a war hero and a Cinemax heroine. To these aged eyes, Senator, that’s what progress looks like. You guys got four debates. Get out of my house and go back to work.

OBAMA: Wait, what is it you always used to say? When you hit a bump on the show and your people were down and frustrated? You’d give them a pep talk and then you’d always end it with something. What was it ...?

BARTLET: “Break’s over.”

A Slow Down

Didn't know if I was comin' or goin' this weekend. Bummer of a highschool football game on Friday (I get pissed when kids play dirty and refs never see nuthin'). Super fun crafty shopping and ice cream eating with Sistah Dubh. Sunday was the fair and then driving back home early this morning.

Did know I was catchin a cold (Blech). So will be catching a lot of sleep when I'm not doin the work of God.

Excited to see that the Pitbull with lipstick bump is goin' down.

This Breaks My Heart

It's no wonder that Catholics are viewed askance:

Here's the link to the article in which this quote can be found:

" I was grateful for the Cardinal's apt description, though like an insurance payment long after suffering a bodily injury, I must say at the moment on that evening, I was the one who felt without defense and entirely shameful. Right there in that moment every Catholic good deed and good thought and good wish of love of neighbor that I once had seemed inconsequential and insufficient. Like a child feeling unfairly disciplined, but disciplined nonetheless, I pleaded with empty hand outstretched: "I think you're making a mistake, Father." His red complexion redder now, betraying righteous anger. His stretched hand over the top of the Ciborium, the container for the consecrated bread as if I was going to grab a handful and make a run for it, and then the pronouncement: "No, you are the one who made the mistake."

This is the part that breaks my heart with both hope (the person talking on behalf of Kmiec) and hopelessness. Kmiec did receive an apology.

From the back of the Communion line someone shouted out, "Are you judging this man, Father?" I was grateful for the intervention. Will the Last Day be like this? One friend making an appeal for another? The response was cold: "He has judged himself and been found unworthy."

Just Tired

I'll get back up to speed soon.

Political Blah Blah

So I'm watching the beginning of The Daily Show and I'm thinkin'

It sounds like a lot of people have the number of the McCain/Palin campaign. It seems to be a big bunch of lying liars. Why, why, why, don't other people --read--conservatives...care that they lie. It's okay to tell lies as long as you'll make abortion illegal...oh okay.

The numbers after the Palin announcement scare me. I hope it's just a bump. I hope that Obama voters are under-counted because they're mostly young people with cell phones.

I am genuinely scared at the moment.

Preeeemah Dohnnnna first lady of the stage...

Saw Phantom last night. Forgot how much I so love that show. It felt good to do something like that instead of watching/reading political stuff.

in memoriam

sigh

Popped over to a couple of blogs and, along with Keith Olbermann's special comment, was saddened by thinking about September 11th. Tomorrow. Was looking for some images from Seattle Center just after. Because we're so far away, people were moved to bring flowers to the international fountain...it was only going to be open for 2 days. I think it stretched to 5. At the end there was something like 80 cubic feet of flowers which were composted for a memorial garden.

The following summer, we drove onto the New York State Fairgrounds near Nana's. I had a really eerie feeling when I stood so close to some pieces from Ground Zero. (We were there to see the war memorial).

I still feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.

God rest them. Peace for the survivors.

Why I'm Voting for Barack Obama.....

I'm basically stealing from something someone posted somewhere else and from my Dad. Like Keith Olbermann, they said it better than I could articulate it.

Daddy:

I have received a certain level of flack from family, friends and acquaintances about the fact that I am a strong supporter of the democrat presidential team for 2008. I do not feel that I am required to justify my choice to anyone nor do I feel that others need justify their position to me.

Having lived in America for the past 8 years in particular has led me to the following rationale for not wanting to continue with the Bushite Republicans in power. This has been an administration that will (has) lied with impunity to the American People, the World, to its own party and to itself. Even when exposed they assume the “That’s our story and we’re stickin to it” position. In fact it seems to lie to all even when the truth would have little impact on anything. It falsified documentation it used to attempt to justify the war in Iraq. Even when the manipulation of information was exposed, they stood by their bogus information, punishing those who proved the truth (e.g. Wilson-Plame) and I won’t even bring up George the lesser pardoning Scooter.

This has been an administration that has “used up” thousands of brave military lives on a “Phony” war that really had/has nothing to do with our national security. Do you feel safer now that Saddam is dead? I thought not. Mr. Mc Cain is willing to stay in Iraq for 100 years. This has been an administration that has trampled on the Constitution and the Bill of rights willfully. It has made a mockery of the Geneva convention in it’s handling of the 911 “war criminals”. In doing so it has endangered generations of military and other people who are in harms way.

The current administration has truly become “Big Brother”. This has been an administration that has “politicized” areas of government which should not be politicized. Case in Point, the Federal Prosecutors who were fired for not aggressively prosecuting democrats. I suspect in my own agency that top executives have been insidiously replaced for the same reasons. And then there’s Mr. Gonzales who really was not a skillful enough liar to be part of this administration. There is so much more, I could go on for pages, but I think that this is sufficient.

The other list:

I will vote for Obama because:

he makes me proud to be an American again.

he is young, intelligent, enlightened and progressive.

he opposed the Iraq War from day one.

I believe he will protect and defend the constitution. I also know as a former Constitutional law professor he will also understand it, which will be a nice change.
he had the brains to graduate Harvard Law School, and instead of making millions in private practice he had the compassion and selflessness to then put his education to good use by trying to help those less fortunate then himself.

I support his stand on universal health care. This is a moral obligation, not only a financial one. We are only as good as how we protect those in our society that cannot protect themselves.

he believes in equal rights for equal pay, and because he believes in equality for all races, creeds and sexual orientation.

I find him inspirational.

I love the fact that he is still married to his first wife, and she is a strong, independent, accomplished woman.

he believes in the Genenva Conventions.

he believes in global warming, and our real need to find alternative fuel sources. Not quick fixes like drilling for show.
I am tired of the economy being in the toilet. I am tired of not being able to travel anywhere because our dollar is worth nothing. I am tired of having a president invade sovereign nations based on lies. I am tired of high oil prices. I am tired of spending 10 billion dollars of our tax dollars in Iraq. Every month. I am tired of having 8 months of national job losses. I am tired of seeing people lose their houses because they cannot afford to pay their mortgages.

I am not voting for the Republicans because:

I think they are a party of old white men, and old ideas.

they preach one thing and do another.

they have allowed the honorable party of Roosevelt and Eisenhower to be hijacked by social extremists and Christian extremists. No religion or its followers beliefs should be favored more than another. I cannot vote for a party that no longer effectively believes in the separation of church and state.

they have taken away my civil rights and justified it by calling it a war on terror.
I am not voting for McCain because

he himself was tortured, but is standing by while our government practices "enhanced interrogation techniques".

I don't want another Katrina. I don't want to watch McCain and Bush eat cake and celebrate his birthday while people were drowning and dying. I don't want to watch my President praise his woefully under qualified good ol' boy cronies and say things like "Heck of a job, Brownie," while on television I see the bodies of men, woman and children floating dead in streets like garbage.
I am not voting for the GOP because I resent them telling me that if I don't subscribe to their ideology I am not a patriot, and that therefore I don't love my country as much as they do.
I am not voting for the GOP because I am sick to death of them sneering about the liberal elite, when the truth is the complete opposite.

I am not voting for John McCain because he and his wife are not even sure about how many homes they own, but they tell voters with a straight face that a black man, raised by a single white mother is an elite snob who has no idea of the difficulties working people face.

And I am not voting for McCain because he thinks one woman is as good as any other.

**edited to break up the blocks**

Christians sometimes fry my butt...

So got a comment on my http://missdubh.blogspot.com/2008/09/lmao-tom-brokaw.html post below. Here's what my response was:

I'm sorry I lost the respect of someone who posts anonymously.

Yes, that's sarcasm.

Part two...impressed (not) that this is the post you commented on.

Maybe I should refrain from commenting on "Christian" blogs. Really, so welcoming. Maybe I'll go comment on "Adult" blogs because they're more welcoming, accepting and friendly.

OH and .... bonus first I've never been referred to as a troglodyte before.***

ANNNNND I use the acronyms wtf (could stand for freak...or fritata) and omg because, believe it or not I used to have a pottier mouth. Whatever happened to if you can't say anything nice, come sit next to me....oh no wait....if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.

end of my quoting of me.

***I always thought I was the only one who called people troglodytes.

Expanding on my point about adult blogs (even the ones that aren't naughty)...It has been my experience that the more "ADULT" blogs and chats are friendlier than so-called Christian blogs and chats (special note....the bloggers (if they're not Mr. or Ms. Anonymous) have never been rude). The commentors and chatters always tend to be way ruder (more rude?) and judgemental than people on lets say more risque areas of the interwebs.

I suspect that my political leanings may have had something to do (in addition to my potty (wha??) mouth) with my trogloditism. Just you wait....lol...next entry which will also be today but is of such a different topic I'm doing it separately.

Which brings me to Republicans and Democrats....and that segues to my next post which is so different from this....I'm goin' there.

LMAO @ Tom Brokaw

Tom Brokaw refers to Andrea "boom-boom" Mitchell and the dance of the Republican balloons...LMAO

Andrea Mitchell was getting bombarded by the balloon drop.


Edit: We've lost a cameraman too. rofl This is a total crack-up.

Republicans Are Mean

I have made myself watch the RNC because I feel it is important to be informed.

Over the last few days these people have gone out of their way to be snide, snarky and nasty. At the DNC, most if not all of the speakers paid tribute to JMcC's time in Vietnam.

I also honor him. I am in awe of his service.

All, ALL, of the speechifiers this week have tried their hardest to be as nasty as they possibly could.

They showed a 9/11 video that made me sick. Keith Olbermann responded this way:

I'm sorry, it's necessary to say this and I wanted to separate myself from the others on the air about this. If at this late date, any television network had of its own accord showed that much videotape, and that much graphic videotape of 9/11, and I speak as somebody who lost a few friends there, it, we, would be rightly eviscerated at all quarters, perhaps by the Republican Party itself, for exploiting the memories of the dead and perhaps even for trying to evoke that pain again. If you reacted to that videotape to the way I did, I apologize. It is a subject of great pain for many of us still and was probably not appropriate to be shown. We'll continue in a moment. (end K.O.)

It was not a tribute to victims. It was a "vote for republicans and be safe; vote for the democrats and die" video. Nothing more. It did not pay tribute. It was blatant fear-mongering.

Also interesting, there were people protesting inside the convention. That was pretty cool.

I don't know what to think. I have no concept of how people are seeing this, all I hear are opinions from people who are strong on either side.

I find it interesting that they are so ashamed of their party that the only place in the convention that says Republican is in very small print on the top of the State signs.

Yaknow....I liked McCain in 2000. He's not the same guy. He's not.

Edit.....not enough to vote for him. LOL

oh a headache!!!

Watching the RNC. I feel like I'm trying to listen to and understand a completely different language.

LMAO @ this post from Maddow On-Line Blog:


Fred Thompson's speech
Move over Jesus!John McCain suffered way more than you ever did! AND he's an American!!

By MikeG-CaliforniaSeptember 2, 2008 - 10:24pm

What the heck...no bio video!?!?!?! I want my money back.

here we go...Sarah Palin...first national audience, note: it's 10:30 on the east coast, sucks if you have to work in the morning. Oh sit down and shut up for pete's sake (thought the same during the DNC). Okay....now it's just LAME..SHUT UP
All the handmade signs look like the same person made them.

She's honored to accept the nomination for VP. Quelle surprise

Wow... way to talk about John McCain but who the hell are you? Come on already.

whoopee we're uber patriotic because our families are serving in Iraq.

Shout out to special needs families...woot woot! **note to self look up ADA legislation.
Sweet talkin' about her husband...that's cute. Surprise! this is America! Ya think?!?

Seriously...the "handmade" signs are all the same....

Someone is getting booted out....more info. She's dogging on the "bitter, cling to guns" thing from Months ago. Boooo washington elite...like oh..McCain.

"To leave this nation better than we found it" can't be hard seeing as GWB mucked everything up.

Another surprise, she has a servant's heart. Put the governor's jet on eBay...that's pretty funny.

I'd like her better if she were a democrat. American workers...american workers..how come you give tax cuts to the companies that send jobs over seas.

Now she just sounds mean and nasty. OH MY GOD>.....they are so full of CRAP.

So...human rights unless you're a terrorist. Nice. So. So. Nice.

Tax b.s. here's the debunking of that crap http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/would_obama_tax_my_profits_if_i.html

She sounds like one of those snippy women who I avoid like the plague. Oh. Wait. Was McCain in a war for us?

NEWSFLASH!!!! McCain's a POW

again with the "liberal media elite"

Wow....they sure know how to beat a drum. I can't believe how full of crap
they sound.

"I'm a republican because I didn't want to spend the rest of my life poor
waiting for the government to rescue me" Huckabee

wow.

will be back when Palin starts speaking

Speech Rant

"We all know it's important that it important for the supreme court to have judges who support the Constitution."?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Laura said what?????

That's important but your husband has trashed the Constitution 3 or 4 times.

"Let's not forget that President Bush has kept the American people safe."

GASP choke! He didn Jack! At least she followed that statement with appreciation for military. Oh Lord....here he comes. Note...not even in the Network primetime coverage.

Standing at a podium? Blah blah thanks regarding Hurricane Gustav.

Smirky smirk.

Examples of character, decency, and integrity: GHWBush & Barbara Bush. To bad you didn't follow them.

"He is ready to lead this nation" Yeah...probably more so than you were. No doubt McCain would be a better President than Bush but how hard would that be? My dog would be a better president with good advisors.

Surprise!!! John McCain was a POW.

ooooh "The Angry Left" can't break McCain's resolve. WTF??? who's the Angry Left?

"Human Life must be defended" How 'bout those Iraqi humans George?

Lift ban on off shore drilling. Grrreat. Not afraid to tell you when he disagrees...but he'll vote with GWB.

Drum beat drum beat...surge surge surge. Rather lose and election than see his country lose a war. And why would we lose that war except that we went in WITHOUT A PLAN!!!

Oh yeah because a Democratic President will sit by and wait for us to be attacked...what a load of hooey. It looks like it hurts to talk about optimism and future.

I cannot believe that I'm watching this. I've seen like 5 people of color in the crowd, (and one of them is McCain's daughter) just sayin'. I wish I could be more objective.

EDIT: Bio of Ronnie. Lovely bio...ruined by the reference to the evil media

Patriots

You know, I don't mind if someone who is alive allows their image/story to be used by a political party. I feel a little gross about watching SEAL Michael Monsoor (Medal of Honor) biographical video at the RNC.

It's the same gross I feel about people hanging political signs on their kids. Unless the kid chooses to hold the sign or wear the shirt it shouldn't be done.

**Edit** Recently read that the SEALS who were attending with Monsoor (God Bless)'s sister WERE NOT supposed to be introduced by name. They've been attending things with Monsoor's sister because they were part of His unit. At the time I was thinking they looked REALLY uncomfortable with the attention--now I know why. They were in civvies because the branches don't want to appear as if they are supporting a particular candidate.

Oh for crying out loud...now the delegates are chanting U.S.A. I always feel like Republicans are trying to out patriotic democrats. Just as many liberals die for their country.

You'd think the Republicans would do better legislating for Veterans Care than they do.
I'm gonna listen to GWB's speech (who is not at his party's convention)...I don't know if I can do it.

God Bless the Vets

GOD! they all say exactly the same thing about Palin...like they all got the memo this morning. I am so scared. I think Mrs. McCain just told GHWBush that President Bush is not going to be there. Weird... Okay going to watch.

ROFLMAO

http://www.democraticstuff.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=7528&Click=39483

Namecalling and other b/s

So I'm in the midst of a "discussion" over at The Deacon's Bench. The discussion goes with this post. I am angered by people who don't consider that their actions/words affect how people view situations.... Here are my words, in case they go away.

Carlos,More than once you have referred to Barack Obama as B. Hussain Obama. I find this attempt at using his name in order to cast aspersions on him as unchristian and I (and probably some others) am offended.It may be useful to you to review your Catechism (CCC 2158) which states, "God calls each one by name. Everyone's name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it."Having researched the name Hussain I found its meaning to be: Muslim: from the Arabic personal name ̣Husayn, a diminutive of ̣Hasān ‘good’, ‘handsome’ (see Hasan) (information which can be found here: http://genealogy.familyeducation.com/surname-origin/husain?detoured=1 )I'm sure our western names sound strange to those in other cultures. Using someone's name to encourage prejudice beyond unchristian, just plain rude. Whether or not you agree with Mr. Obama he still deserves the respect we are called to give to any human.I find that one of my crosses to bear is my shame that people who share my Catholicism can appear so unchristian to outsiders. It's no wonder that people take us for a bunch of hypocrites.Deacon, I appreciate that you quote from many sources and viewpoints (even when I find them to be overly conservative) I learn from them all.

**********
Right, I agree to both of you who commented on my comment. BUT... what is a person's intention in referring to him as B. Hussein Obama? I'm sure Mr. Obama likes his name well enough but in my experience the people who are referring to him as Carlos does are buying into the name calling and trying to associate him with militant muslims. His name also has little to do with his promotion of anything. All I ask is that he is afforded the dignity we, as pro-life Catholics, demand of those unborn babies.What am I doing? {Sigh} I don't know why I bother sometimes.

**********
M. William Smith doesn't sound as scary to ignorant people as B. Hussein Obama does. If Barack Obama used the name B. Hussein Obama it would be a whole different ball game. The fact that people "B. Hussein Obama" as a pejorative (having a disparaging, derogatory, or belittling effect or force) is not Christian. It is a shameful behavior and it makes those who utilize the propaganda tactic of namecalling cheapen their position and look less credible.Obama doesn't "love to kill babies". Disagree all you want with his stance on abortion but don't use hyperbole to further your views because you look even less credible.You can use facts to make a much better argument then by acting so immature.

Confundis Charm - - Harry is that you?

So after the high that was Obama's speech last night...I was expecting (as was most of the world) the announcement of McCain's running mate today. I have to admit I'm confounded. I don't think she was a good choice. On the one hand she was probably picked because she's a woman. But why wasn't one of the more qualified women chosen? One of the longer serving governors or congresswomen?

Was she really chosen to "woo" the Hillary voters? I don't get the ones who say they will vote for JM. If you were supporting HC because of issues it's counterproductive to jump to the other side. Seriously.

Now, Palin could have been chosen because she's hyper conservative and the other hyper conservatives didn't/don't like JMcCain. There are questions arising about her. She kept her pregnancy under wraps? She's being investigated for firing someone who wouldn't fire her brother-in-law (who alledgedly was a royal booger head but still).

On the one hand I'm pretty sure Obama's going to pull it off. With oodles of help from his volunteers. On the other hand....I'm a little worried.

Barack's Acceptance

6:46pm Waiting for Barack to start. Excited to hear him talk. Psychin' myself up to cry....because I know I will.

Also: I got a text from the campaign...woo, they know who I am! LOL

6:50pm Durbin's(D-Sen. Illinois) intro.

I totally hafta pee...but don't want to miss anything....eek!

6:56pm--video
Augh!!!! Baby pictures!!!

7:00
I love Michele Obama!

Trying to place the narrator's voice...I know I know who it is...grr.. HAY!!! they're playing Uno Spin...I have that game!

aww he's choked about his mama's death. Grampa "Boy Americans, we can do anything if we put our minds to it". OMG....I love love loved his keynote four years ago!

"That's the country I believe in, That's worth fighting for."' OMG
Imagine 75,000 people cheering for you...Holy Cow. I'll try to be a little more coherent (or not, who am I kidding). The chanting at the RNC.....is gonna SUCK! rofl

Damn....first sentence and I'm crying! His acceptance was lovely.

I love a candidate who can speechify! BOOOOOOOO! to a third term with McSame! Booooo!
LMAO 8 is enough!!!!!

"What does it say about your judgement when you say GWB has been right 90% of the time. I don't know about you but I don't want to take a 10% chance on change"

Booooooo! nation of whiners!!! "These are the Americans I know..." (workers, soldiers families)
"I don't think John McCain doesn't care about the middle class...He just doesn't know."

"It's not that John McCain doesn't care, he just doesn't get it"
"Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps....even if you don't have boots."
I'm glad I'm not the only one crying....people in the crowd are too! How can people not agree with this???? "Our Government should work for us, not against us."

"Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility".

This speech is amazing. I have not disagreed with anything he said.

Oh. God. I want him to win. Now to the pundits...LOL...won't write about them.

stolen phrases

Well, right now, there's only one but....

please God give me an occasion in which to say:

beaten with a stick of holiness like a devil pinata

it made me laugh so hard.

Secondly, NBC your "the closing ceremonies at 7pm....oh wait let's watch volleyball first SUCKS!

Finally, geek alert: the thought of the Olympic Flame going out for another 4 (okay 2 for winter) years makes me choke up a little.

Edit 9:49pm....flame is going out and I'm crying a bit....the pictures around the screen from all the days of the games. So sad.... I'm such a freaking sap. Part of it is optimism dammit! Frowny face.


perplexed....showing the drum part of the opening ceremonies with out preface.....it's way cool but it's two weeks old. Bob Costas you fruitloop. 15 minutes ago he said closing ceremonies in about an hour. He just said it again.

WOOT!

A Noun, A Verb, and POW

working on exhaustion

Been having trouble falling asleep--I think because I've had a weird schedule. Basically since I got back home I can sleep whenev. Ah well. I felt compelled to jot down an insight that just coalesced in my brain.

Regarding blogs. Honest to pete, Mhari, you just read them to live vicariously through other people. Yup. yup I do. My existence is so "normal". Other people have such amazing experiences. I'm also enamored of the talent many people have for writing. I don't feel that I write very well. Passably, I stick with admitting to writing passably. Often I don't write what I want; or click "upload" because I'm worried about "sounding" like a moron. My preoccupation with blogs is to get a voyeuristic view into other peoples lives--not necessarily in a kinktacular way.

It's really the same as my taste for Adventure/Romance and Fantasy/Romance. Albeit I'm a little soft on the Romance part. I like it but it's not the important part. Though I have become more demanding of the heroines--they need to be intelligent. They can be needy because we're all needy in our own way. Gads, we are all SO needy in our own way. I will only suffer a main character's idiocy for a short amount of time. It's probably why I didn't find Anna Karenina a sympathetic character. On the one hand I understood her situation but she was pretty much just pathetic and I cared more for the other characters. I don't know if that was the point of her "existance". I'll have to read up on some commentary.

Anyhoo. I think I'll set the alarms and get to bed.

Alas Bulletin Boards

Back to work today. As a student, it never really occured to me what teachers did to prepare for school to start. Laminating things...cutting those things out. Creating bulletin boards (and even more difficult, creating boards that are different from last years).

I don't remember my Junior High teachers having lots of stuff in their rooms. I remember some of my High School teachers did. My room dec. heroine is my Humanities/Adv. Comp./AP English teacher. Her room was pretty much totally covered with an amazing collection of stuff. Postcards from around the world, life size cut outs of Wayne Gretzky and Humphrey Bogart, Art Prints, drawings by students, articles that specifically meant something to her (and by extension us), a Hockey puck and stick, and more. She showed Simon & Garunkel's Concert in the Park.

So, I'm kinda tired even though most of what I did today was staple, cut, and organize things.

On another note...
I am getting damn sick and tired of Hillary Clinton supporters who are so effing shortsighted that they're willing to risk McCain getting into office. Seriously? I would have been disappointed had Barack not gotten the nomination (which he doesn't "technically" have) but I sure as shootin' would have worked to have the democrat elected. Honest to murgatroid...they (HC & BO) are virtually (not exactly) on the same page.

Ah. Well. From one addiction to the other. Next week I'll be following the Democratic National Convention. At least the Olympics and DNC(Denver) didn't happen at the same time...my head would have exploded.

Oh and... really happy about THIS.

oh and.....HELL yes!!!

Such a cutie!

Love Him...

I have to say, I pretty much adore Keith Olbermann; especially when he says, "Word to your mother", after berating some rappers. And then there was yesterday's special comment which can be found here.

Clippets:

And fourth, encouraging Senator McCain, while there, to address his opponent in the language of unseemly contempt, undignified calumny, and holier-than-thou persiflage unsupported by reality... near-nonsensical bluster that -- at best -- makes the speaker look like a dyspeptic grouchy neighbor shouting "Hey you kids, get out of my yard."
"Though victory in Iraq is finally in sight," you told the V-F-W today, Senator McCain, "a great deal still depends on the decisions and good judgment of the next president. The hard-won gains of our troops hang in the balance. The lasting advantage of a peaceful and democratic ally in the heart of the Middle East could still be squandered by hasty withdrawal and arbitrary timelines. And this is one of many problems in the shifting positions of my opponent, Senator Obama."
The shifting positions of Senator Obama?
Senator McCain -- on the 22nd of May, 2003.. you said, of Iraq, on the Senate floor, quote:
"We won a massive victory in a few weeks, and we did so with very limited loss of American and allied lives. We were able to end aggression with minimum overall loss of life, and we were even able to greatly reduce the civilian casualties of Afghani and Iraqi citizens.
Senator -- you declared victory in Iraq, five years and nearly three months ago.
Today you say: "victory in Iraq is finally in sight"?
The victory you already proclaimed five years ago?

I love him.

On another note. NBC's west coast Olympics coverage SUCKS!!!!

holy cow

I wish I could be more poetic or amazingly literary. I'm so proud.

He. Did. It.

on mission trips

This quote:

"Let's fall in love on the last day of the trip and then break up when we get dropped off back at the church. I mission trip love you!"

from this blog made me laugh really hard. Having been a chaperone on mission trips for the last 7 or so years I can't even say how many times the above happend.

On an Olympics note I am LOVING Mr. Phelps very much. He's such a cutie.

I'm sick to death of beach volleyball. NBC (a network I love) has sorta sucked regarding coverage. Some of my favorite stuff can be found in Ron C. Judd's Blog at Seattle Times dot com. Especially the parts about those of us out west being part of the "Disadvantaged Time Zone DTZ"

I've been watching so much Olympics coverage, if I can't watch for whatever reason I sorta feel withdrawal. What am I gonna do until Vancouver 2010. The bonus is...I can't get as involved in Winter Olympics because I'll be working and not on summer vacation. 'Kay that's all.

Happy Feast of the Assumption! Hail Mary!

afeared of hiatus

so geeky about the olympics right now I'm not sure I'll be posting much. just so ya know

Weekend

Camped out at my parentals for a coupla days because I had to travel a distance for a wedding. I'm still in this same place regarding that.

On an uppity up note the Olympics Geek Out continues. Sis and I and 'Rents watched the Opening Ceremonies (sis and I the whoooooooole thing). It was pretty amazing. Teared up when the cute little boy who went back into his demolished school twice to save classmates after climbing out of the rubble. He said, "I'm a class leader, it's my responsibility." Yeah. He's 9.

Watched events as much as I could yesterday. Was getting on-line to look something up --non-Olympics related--and my homepage which is MSNBC pops up with the big old Phelps Wins Gold headline that I couldn't avoid. I'm all for making the information available, but for God's sake make the headline smaller (it was HUGE) or make an "If you want to see who won" click though.

Then I watched the Men's 4x 100 relay. The Frenchies had said, "We will smash the Americans". Au contraire mon chien.... WE BEAT THE FROGS!!!! it was all I could do to not wake the 'rents. It was so exciting that the dog jumped on my lap because he thought there was something wrong.

I don't like the pressure of everyone saying M. Phelps could surpass Spitz' 7 gold medal record. But, I have to admit....I'm really hoping he pulls it off. It's been stated that yesterday, and today's races were the most tricky. Fingers crossed, I'll be so proud of him if he does it.


Oh and if you want another tearjerking story check out the 33 year-old gymnast from Germany (well not...but that's part of the story).

Frustration

So...I'm watching a repeat of Oprah in which they are discussing the deplorable state of education in America. I totally agree there's a lot wrong with education. There are issues of equity and resources. There are crappy teachers. I completely understand the issue.

But.

There has been no discussion of parental responsibility and societal responsibility.

Society: our kids see all kinds of things that take away from education. Play video games all the time. Watch t.v. . What's a book? Why not become famous and you don't have to do anything. Money will just magically appear.

When I was a kid, if my parents got a call from a teacher for a discipline problem (which I don't think ever happened) it was all on me. "Mhari, why did you do what you did? No t.v.. No phone...no other activities, you're grounded for 6 months" (okay...only a slight exaggeration). The response I get now is more like, "Ms. Dubh, why are you picking on my child?"

I kid you not, I had a parent one time tell me, "Well, I tell Sonny that if he gets in trouble at school, he won't get in more trouble at home."

Are you s#$tting me? Seriously? Oh no, no no no.....If you're getting in trouble at school you sure as shootin' need to get grounded at home. Otherwise there is no expectation of respect for school.

I've felt undercut again and again by parents who put too much importance on sports and other things and school comes in a distant second or third or even fourth.

I understand that education is in crisis. They showed students not being able to name the first 5 presidents. Well of course not. That's not what's tested. That's not knowledge that students are supposed to have for the standardized test that teachers are supposed to prepare them for.

sigh. I don't know how to fix things. oh....If I ran the world

me again!

Catching up on my favorite Olympics columnist, Ron C. Judd.

He Posted this:

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/olympics/2008/08/us_athletes_flagbearer_choice.html#start_comments

honest to God, teared me up. Jumpin' Jehosephat

Happy {shyeah} Anniversary

Seven years ago today the president's daily briefing which he ignored...warned of the antics of a bunch of followers of a guy named OBL who were in the U.S. preparing for attacks. There was also a phone call to the embassy in the UAE to inform "us" of this fact.

Nancy Pelosi: we're not impeaching him why?

I <3 The Usual Suspects

Verbal: How do you shoot the devil in the back? What if you miss?

Verbal: After that my guess is that you will never hear from him again. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist. And like that... he is gone.

McManus: Old McDonald had a farm ee i ee i o. And on that farm he shot some guys. Badda boom badda bing bang boom.

Even knowing the twist. Watching the actors. Freakin' amazing.

I'm tryin' ta figger...

why I like romance novels so much. Okay....I'm over the "Bodice Rippers" from High School. I can't even seriousl pick them up and read the back because they're all the same story. I was aware of that when I would check out 10 at a time from the library. I spent a lot of time away from the Romance section when I hit the book store. Now I peruse the section for particular authors. The stories are still somewhat the same...and maybe that's why I like them. There are certian criterion (I think that's proper usage) that have to be evident. The female character cannot be a complet idiot. I'll admit that I'm not as picky about the male character. It is more likely that I'll buy adventure romances.

Anyhoo....still haven't figured out why I like 'em. Could be the guaranteed happy ending. Yeah, maybe that's it.

Oh and p.s. Brian Williams on Daily Show....frickin' HY-larious.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=178206

Oh, Hell...

Now, I'll have to read the book. The movie was so good. I found the acting of the two young boys so moving. There are times when I wish I had the money and other resources to adopt orphans (and other kids needing care). I suppose I couldn't stop with just one or two tho'. {sigh}

On another note. RIP Alexander Solzhenitsyn. A Story Here.

oh em gee

I Love Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. I have to say I loved Christian Bale when he was in Empire of the Sun. I didn't start loving Russell Crowe until Proof of Life (I know...I know but I loved his character). They are both just yummy. Seriously, there are a handful of actors who do amazing work and these are two of them.

WE MUST RALLY BEHIND VETERANS

This Blog Entry over at The Sandbox talks about "the Monster" that is PTSD.

This is one of the important parts:
"...there are thousands coming back from this war without resources, without education and without the knowledge and skills to defend themselves against the monster known as PTSD. A monster it is, and it grows bigger and more deadly with each passing day.
The way to defeat it is to understand it. To realize it’s okay that you have it. You were placed in situations where you saw things and experienced things you would not have if you were not in the arena of war.
The way to defeat it is with education. Education about what it is, what the signs and symptoms are and where to go for treatment, because make no mistake; PTSD is a disease. It is a lifelong disease that goes in and out of remission. It can be extremely well controlled with the right treatment, but is devastatingly deadly if not."

Because of my reading everything about the Vietnam War phase, and having worked (in my youth) at the local VA Medical Center I have a reasonable understanding of PTSD. I also understand that there is a certain stigma for the troops to seek help. What with an astronomical increase in suicides of veterans of both theaters we MUST fund veterans support resources.

Rawfel

or more well known ROFL...so I'm catching up with one of my favorite author's blog (which for whatever reason I just found). I guess I wasn't paying attention. Her main page is here:

Diana Gabaldon

Her Blog

and the reason why I'm "rawfelling" : regarding where her books are shelved--
"Historical Non-Fiction (no, really. Foyle's bookshop in London shelved them under Historical Nonfiction, when I saw them there a few years ago. As it was explained to me, shelving decisions were made by Miss Kitty Foyle (since deceased, alas), and Miss Foyle believed in time travel. Ergo…)"

Honestly, I adore the way Gabaldon writes. She doesn't dumb down (and she uses parenthesis). Seriously, start here: Outlander and read them all. I'm almost ready to start over.

let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, & his widow, & orphan

This makes me sad:
22,000 veterans have called suicide hot line
Phone line was launched last July after complaints VA wasn't doing enough

excerpts:
The hot line receives up to 250 calls per day — double the average number calling when it began. Kemp said callers are divided evenly between veterans from the Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam wars. Richard McKeon, public health adviser for SAMHSA, said 10 to 20 of the 1,575 calls received each week have to be rerouted to high-volume backup call centers throughout the country.
4 out of 5 vets who commit suicide are under VA careThe VA estimates that every year 6,500 veterans take their own lives. The mental health director for the VA, Ira Katz, said in an e-mail last December that of the 18 veterans who commit suicide each day, four to five of them are under VA care, and 12,000 veterans under VA care are attempting suicide each year.
This month, the hot line began an advertising campaign in Washington area subway stations and buses featuring the slogan, "It takes the courage and strength of a warrior to ask for help."

Kemp said the hot line was put in place specifically for those veterans who don't get enough help until it's too late. "They have indicated to us that they are in extreme danger, either they have guns in their hand or they're standing on a bridge, or they've already swallowed pills," she said. Kemp said 1,221 veterans who were in such situations were rescued during the hot line's first year.
The VA is preparing for the eventual return of a large number of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. This could put added stress on the mental health screening program for returning veterans, which could lead to a rise in undiagnosed mental health issues. The VA recently got enough money to double its suicide prevention staff and is planning to hire 212 more people soon.

I Love this on Multiple Levels

Not least of which "I love Arachnids"

I've watched this 4 times in a row.

Totally cool photos...

if you follow THIS LINK to a blog with photos of Americans Abroad for Obama.

Am totally pissed off at McCain camp playing the "Obama didn't want to visit the troops" or "Obama went to the gym instead of visiting the troops".

Yo, McCaniacs......Our guy voted for the New GI Bill how 'bout yours?

I Get the Why....

So one of my favorite bloggers was shut down by the army. There's an article about it here: Washington Post.com

The archive can be found HERE

When this young man publishes a book. I'll buy it. His writing is AMAZING.

His last post in this arena ends like this:

If you think, please think of us. If you pray, please pray for us. The second half of our deployment will be just as challenging and dangerous as the first half.Thank you for caring. Agree or disagree with the war, if you’re reading this, you are engaged and aware. As long as that is still occurring in a free society, there is something worth the fighting for.

Lawds yes kiddo, I think of youse all the time. More so since my kiddos are starting to end up over there. Godspeed and protection.

edit: an anonymous commenter left this on the last entry: If there is a God, may you be held in it's hand. (Gently, God. No squishing. Be careful.)

Back in the Saddle Again...

So...while doing my missionary thing last week I read two fascinating articles. One was about The Dangerous Mind of Mark Twain (Time Magazine) subtitled How he changed the way we view politics...Why he was ahead of his time on race...What his writing can teach America today. I was really interested and felt a little bit like a brainiac for reading it. Also, I picked up the Newsweek with Lincoln and Darwin. Who was more important? Interestingly enough I think it depends on where you are. In the U.S., hands down, Lincoln is vastly important. Even just reading blurbs of his second inaugural address:

Fellow Countrymen: At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured. On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came. One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. 'Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.' If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said 'the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether'. With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

even reading the blurbs that they put in the magazine choked me up. What an amazing sentiment. The whole address is amazing, especially the consideration that the Civil War may be punishment for the institution of slavery.

When I re-read Lincoln's speech (which, admittedly, I do more often than others....) I find myself hoping that Obama becomes president because we need to have a political leader who can deliver a speech and not sound like an ignoramus (GWB). Note how I can turn things to my political outlook. ROFL

Kiss Your Fourth Amendment Rights Goodbye

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." ~United State Constitution

But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
John AdamsUS diplomat & politician (1735 - 1826)

Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide.
John Adams, Letter, April 15, 1814

I'm sorta pissed at Obama for voting for the FISA bill. I hope to hell that he has a plan. For more explanation go here. At least the Washington State delegation voted Nay.

checkin' in

It's a fantastic (same derivation as fantasy) theory that teachers have three months off.

We got out of school on Friday and I finished "packin' up" my room on Monday (it usually takes a week). Thank heaven for alumni who want to help (recent grads who have nothing better to do) and showed up to help organize.

I had a three day leadership seminar Tuesday-Thursday.

On Friday there was about a week of vacation. see photo (it's from inside the dam!!). We returned this past Thursday. (A drop of about 30 degrees in temperature!)

Yesterday, I started a week-long continuing education course 9-5 each day.

Next week I leave on a 7-day mission trip.

July 21-25 I believe I will be sort of catatonic :P

All that being said, I'm not complaining (really!); I'm just explaining why entries will be touch-and-go for the next coupla weeks. If you check in....keep checkin' in...I'll get back to normal soon.

Alas, reports of my demise

have been greatly exaggerated.

I'm back from my first (and most fun) trip of the summer. Read a coupla articles I want to write about but somehow it has come up 12:01 am. So, I'll catch up a bit over the next few days.
Love....

ROFL ROFL ROFL

So this is from a livejournal entry called overheardsea.....this made me CRACK up.

Girl in her early 20s, on the #16, talking very loudly on a cell phone:"So even though she's, like, already married, I think we should, like, throw her a batch-uh-lorry-it party. There's, like, a bakery here that, like, makes, like penis cakes. It's called, like, the Exotic Bakery. I'm like, going to get some funny games and stuff. I saw these, like, rawwwl-playing cards for like, sex games!"I'm sure the bus loved hearing about the plans for this batch-uh-lorry-it party for a girl who is already married.

We drove past the "exotic" bakery one time, and mom said, "should we call dad and tell him we saw the erotic bakery?" To which, my sister replied, "don't ever use that word again."

Public Election Financing

So I was watching Meet the Press (facilitated by Brian Williams) today and they were talking about Barack Obama's decision to go with his supporters rather than the public election financing. I don't know all the particulars about public financing; but Obama's decision seems to make sense.

But he's a "flip-flopper" when did "flip-flopping" become such an evil? The term just makes me want to laugh because I always hear it in GWB's voice.

So anyway, back to Meet the Press. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was a total whiny baby. I was uncomfortable watching him. It was like he was going to cry because "Obama broke his word". Okay dumbarse (I mean that with all respect due a senator)...your guy has flippity flopped about things way worse than "public financing" of elections. He flopped on Iraq. He flopped on oil drilling. OH WAIT....so did you!!!!! Mr. Graham...right there on Meet The Press, you were shown to have changed your mind about offshore drilling "if it's okay with the state (of S. Carolina)" my left buttcheek!!! Brian Williams asked you about your Flippity Flopping and you said, "$4 a gallon gasoline changed my mind".... Hey, Lindsey....the fact that Obama has a boatload of donors giving less than $100 led him to change his mind too.

So, you're all flip floppers. We know you {politicians} flip your flops {eek that sounds sorta dirty LOL} as you need to. Obama's flip makes sense to me (and not just because I've already proclaimed my allegiance).

This made it better

This video improved my mood greatly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

Personal & Maudlin

My goal when I started this blog was to not do this. I don't want to wallow in my personal pity parties but today has been hard. Not tragic. Not awful. Just hard. For me.

I'm led to this point because I just watched Michael Clayton which was really good. But it didn't improve my mood. I should have put in Cars or Ratatouille and just gone mindless. The acting was great in MC and I really liked the story but it wasn't the right mood for tonight.

A couple of weeks ago I was at Mass, and honestly felt invisible. I am sure I've felt invisible before. But before, it wasn't real. This time I felt it deeply, in my gut. I was sitting by myself and looking around and I didn't seem to register on anyone's radar. It didn't last long, one of the people I know who was sitting in front of me turned and patted my knee. Before she touched me the feeling was so clear, "nobody sees me".

Then last week I was at a baby shower. I am so happy for my friend. But I can't help wishing it was me. I'm 4 years older than she is and hell, I think I'd just be happy to be married.

Which brings us to today. A bridal shower. I really don't want to be bitter. I don't want to whine. And really what bothers me about the shower was the number of girls there who are in their teens and twenties who were very, very focused on the wedding thing. Like that was their ultimate goal. {To explain: the majority of this group are active in "Regnum Christi" a very conservative group who are very VERY orthodox Catholics}

This particular bride-to-be blurts out her status allthefreakin'time and I seriously have to bite my tongue. Yeah, I know you're getting married, but some of us aren't as lucky and feeling quite craptacular about it THANKS.

It's never been my belief that Marriage is the end all and be all. I never even considered that I would still be single at 34. I mean, God, my mom had been married 14 years by the time she was my age and had 2 kids.

I wrote about this on another blog -- the whole being single thing -- and got the "how to meet a guy" message from some random commenter (the only comment I ever got on that blog). It wasn't helpful. I've never had luck meeting men in bars (they always go for my cuter friends). All the guys I've ever "liked" saw me as a "friend"....GACK. I'm totally processing my issues in the post, as I write, it's kind of silly really. I've tried computer singles whatever....that's just a big let down.

I guess what's hardest is when I'm holding a baby {LOL spending time around this many Catholics I get to hold babies a lot) I just want so desperately to have my own kids. Currently, I'm stuck with everyone else's. Some days I feel like it will happen. But right now, most days, I feel just a little hopeless. I don't want to lose hope. I don't. But. but...

So, my mood has not been the best today.

(If you're gonna comment, don't flip me advice -- feel free to commiserate.)
And don't worry. I'll keep the personal pity parties few and far between.

Last Day of School Today

Alas...another year gone--another group of kids off into the sun. Way fewer changes this year. I've got a packed couple of weeks and will be travelling. Hopefully I'll be able to keep posting off and on.

A Comment Somewhere Else and Further Explanation...

Was reading THIS over at The Deacon's Bench and was led to comment:

One of my pastors (I regularly attend two churches; in my neighborhood and when I'm visiting my parents) gave a really good homily that applies to this. He explained how all baptised Catholics are called to the priesthood (note the lowercase "p") evangelizing etc. The best point I've heard about not ordaining women is the priests role "in persona Christi" both at mass and confession (reconciliation). At the risk of being a bit irreverent, "Jesus was a dude". So, a woman acting "in persona Christi" doesn't make much logical sense.
Deacon, I was glad to see your mention of the women in the diaconate. Seems to make a lot of sense and could help alleviate some personnel issues.

Okay...so, I would classify myself as a "feminist" I'm all about equal employment and equal pay. At one time I was really gung-ho about women being ordained. The more I thought about it the more I'm of the opinion that the guys can have the gig. I think however "The Church" should re-evaluate the role of Religious Sisters and the possibility of Women Deacons. The Church would have to be very VERY clear on the roles of Sisters and Women Deacons.

I have to laugh when people talk about the "subjugation of women" by the church. Back when most women were stuck as secretaries, nurses, and teachers (all noble professions which I am not downplaying as I am a teacher); Women Religious were acting in roles mostly reserved for men as Principals of Catholic schools and administrators of Hospitals. Of course, in the past the church may not have treated women well, but the church, made up of humans is still a product of attitudes of their time. What other Christian church has such a great love and devotion to a woman?

Listen to this.

This effing pisses me off

from Maddowonline.com (The Rachel Maddow Show)
Go to the site and listen to the audio:

Rachel tells the story of the 4,100th American soldier to die in Iraq. In an interview with a local news station, the soldier's father complains his son was ill-equipped. He had no bullet-proof vest and was in traveling in an improper Humvee. What is this? 2004?!

So...I'm trying to figure out...

why I am so wrecked by the death of Tim Russert. I've been catching up on some of the tributes that I hadn't had the chance to see before now. I think that part of it is that he has been part of the political picture from the time I started following politics. Without realizing it, he somehow became part of my political consciousness. During the current primary season he was always around and when he made certain proclamations I was really happy.

Along with that I also think it's because I "love" the NBC family. I know, that sounds totally ridiculous. The thing is, in my life, NBC is pretty much it. I first remember watching the Today show when I was young and staying with my Grandmother. The today show was on while she got breakfast ready for Grandpa, herself, and little old me. (I can see the green and brown placemats on the table and her placemat on the counter where she would eat while reading the paper). I watched Charles and Diana's wedding on the Today show. All the important news events I watched on NBC (usually KING 5) and MSNBC. Given the choice, for any news, I pick NBC and it's affiliates.

So, the NBC family comes into my home and has come into my home most of my life. I've grown with these people. I trust them. I love them. They take care of me when various events are happening (even the joyful ones and fun ones like the Olympics and Elections). I care about these people and their hearts are a little broken. I think no small amount of my pain comes from wanting to hug, Matt, Tom, Keith, David, Brian, Richard, Andrea, Kelly, and everyone else who has come into my home (hell! my bedroom) throughout the years. God bless them too!

OMG OMG OMG

I must admit that for a moment or two I was keening and swaying in pleasure after reading the following in an article about who will replace Tim Russert (God Rest Him):

"Just last week, NBC News began for the first time to describe its plans for covering the Republican and Democratic conventions: at least three hours of live prime-time coverage during each convention on NBC, and 20 hours a day on MSNBC. In both instances, Mr. Russert was set to be a constant presence, as an analyst alongside Brian Williams on NBC, and as an analyst and sometime host on MSNBC during its many hours of coverage."

That's right, it says 20 hours on MSNBC of democratic national convention coverage. OMG OMG OMG....that is so exciting to me. {Pleasure sigh} I'll probably add to this later...

Oh, and, this picture moves me beyond words. Luke Russert touching his dad's chair after Meet the Press this past weekend. If you can find his Today show interview, it's very impressive. God Bless him and his mom.

Interesting....

In cruising through my blogs I found this little gem: A Blog about Obama and Abortion. The blurb on Pontifications said this.


In the Chicago Tribune today, Kmiec gives his take on the Obama meeting, which Kmiec attended.

Not to understand that there is more than one rather indirect and elusive judicial way to address an intrinsic evil understates the ingenuity of the devout. Describing the abortion decision as a "difficult, deeply moral one," Obama sees it as one only the woman can make. Unless her choice affirms life that is not my Catholic view, and I told him so. But disagreement or not, it is abundantly clear from our conversation that Obama shares a common aspiration to reduce the incidence of abortion. How? Obama is committed to encouraging "responsible sexual behavior," discouraging unwanted pregnancies, promoting adoption as a more viable, affordable and appealing option than it presently is, and putting off limits in a manner consistent with the law as the justices see it, late-term abortion. Obama will not exclude abortion from medical coverage to fulfill a health exception "rigorously defined."


This is what I've been trying to explain to people. Changing the law, ultimately won't do boo-diddly-squat. We have got to change people's minds. Give it to them logically. Print bumperstickers that say: "If you're not ready for a child keep your legs together".