Monday, June 30, 2008
I know this is an old song, and it isn't Christmas ......
This song came out when I was a kid. We've had 4 different presidents since then. We've paid for 2 wars in Iraq, one in Afghanistan . We've landed on Mars, in fact we have a very expensive unmanned vehicle there right now.
we let children starve.
I am so ashamed.
War isn't romantic.
This isn't about politics. This is about doing right by our soldiers. This is about lost husbands, sons, fathers, daughters, wives and mothers. This is about being honest with ourselves about how much we are willing to ask of them and what we are willing to give them in return.Whether we are "for" the war or "against" the war we must never forget the sacrifices they have made for us.
The very least should be our unwavering support and admiration.
These pictures are heartbreaking .
The very least should be our unwavering support and admiration.
These pictures are heartbreaking .
Oh yeah, we are at war here too.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Militants killed more U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan in June than in Iraq for the second straight month, a grim milestone capping a run of headline-grabbing insurgent attacks that analysts say underscore the Taliban's growing strength.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
$500 million tax dollars......to encourage people to hate us.
Quote:
An Arab-language television network and radio station, founded by the Bush administration to promote a positive image of the United States, has aired anti-American and anti-Israeli viewpoints, has showcased pro-Iranian policies and recently gave air time to a militant who called for the death of American soldiers in Iraq.
So far, U.S. taxpayers have spent nearly $500 million to fund those broadcasts. The television station, called Alhurra, and the radio network, Sawa, were meant to provide an American perspective on world events and counter the wave of global criticism that had been building against the Bush administration since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
End Quote.
This is almost funny , if it wasn't true:
"Alhurra’s reporters and commentators operate with little oversight. Alhurra’s president, Brian Conniff, does not speak Arabic and is unable to understand anything broadcast on the radio and television networks he is paid to manage. Conniff has no journalism experience and worked previously as a government auditor. His news director, Daniel Nassif, grew up in Lebanon and has no background in television. Before coming to the network, he helped promote the political aspirations in Washington of a Lebanese Christian former general. "
You wouldn't want to hire someone who, I don't know.....speaks Arabic or anything.
$500 million.
An Arab-language television network and radio station, founded by the Bush administration to promote a positive image of the United States, has aired anti-American and anti-Israeli viewpoints, has showcased pro-Iranian policies and recently gave air time to a militant who called for the death of American soldiers in Iraq.
So far, U.S. taxpayers have spent nearly $500 million to fund those broadcasts. The television station, called Alhurra, and the radio network, Sawa, were meant to provide an American perspective on world events and counter the wave of global criticism that had been building against the Bush administration since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
End Quote.
This is almost funny , if it wasn't true:
"Alhurra’s reporters and commentators operate with little oversight. Alhurra’s president, Brian Conniff, does not speak Arabic and is unable to understand anything broadcast on the radio and television networks he is paid to manage. Conniff has no journalism experience and worked previously as a government auditor. His news director, Daniel Nassif, grew up in Lebanon and has no background in television. Before coming to the network, he helped promote the political aspirations in Washington of a Lebanese Christian former general. "
You wouldn't want to hire someone who, I don't know.....speaks Arabic or anything.
$500 million.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Some facts.
My good friend Sound Judgment says:
obama tax plan would make us the forth highest tax nation in the world only behind sweden demark germany and france check your facts .
So I thought it would be fun to list some other facts. Lets see where we stand on some other issues.
obama tax plan would make us the forth highest tax nation in the world only behind sweden demark germany and france check your facts .
So I thought it would be fun to list some other facts. Lets see where we stand on some other issues.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Army official ousted for refusing to approve 1 billion in quesitonable Iraq funds
Amazing how there is never any money for anything , isn't it? How many people could a billion dollars feed? How many schools could be built? Levees strengthened? How much health insurance does a billion dollars buy? Armor for troops? Help for their spouses? Screening for PTSD? How many refugee camps could have clean water and medicine?How many people in Iowa could use a little help? How much could be rebuilt in New Orleans? How many after school programs funded? Homeless shelters built?
Nah, lets give it all to KBR.
Nah, lets give it all to KBR.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
I am so OVER this crap .
This is a pin from the GOP state convention in Texas.
also sick of :
Bro's before Ho's t-shirts
Fox News "humor" (Baby Mama, terrorist fist jab)
Idiots.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Awwwww moment for today.
Phyllis Lyon (83) and Del Martin(87) partners for more than 50 years....finally married today in California.
Congratulations ladies !
He cancelled (but kept the money)
Just lie back and enjoy it. John McCain was supposed to go to a fundraiser at a man's house, a man who compared rape to the weather, saying, "As long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it."
He associates with a man who jokes about rape. He accepted $300,000 from the fundraiser held by this man. Now, the money did not come from Clayton "Claytie" Williams but how different do you think the donors are?
Anybody else think he wouldn't have cancelled if nobody had called him out on it?
He associates with a man who jokes about rape. He accepted $300,000 from the fundraiser held by this man. Now, the money did not come from Clayton "Claytie" Williams but how different do you think the donors are?
Anybody else think he wouldn't have cancelled if nobody had called him out on it?
We don't like it, so you can't have it.
So,what if a happily married woman is taking some sort of medication that lists "possible birth defects" as a side effect. She should either
A) not have sex with her husband
or
B) risk getting pregnant anyway
What if a happily married husband gets AIDS or hepatitis C from a blood transfusion. He should either
A) not have sex with his wife
or
B) pass it along to her and possibly a baby.
Interesting. More interesting is that they have no problem with Viagra or Cialis.
A) not have sex with her husband
or
B) risk getting pregnant anyway
What if a happily married husband gets AIDS or hepatitis C from a blood transfusion. He should either
A) not have sex with his wife
or
B) pass it along to her and possibly a baby.
Interesting. More interesting is that they have no problem with Viagra or Cialis.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Fathers Day!
To my husband Tom,my father in law Paul, all of my brothers-in-law Pete,Paulie and Al, my nephew in law Sean ,my Uncle John(thats a lot of in laws...my side of the family needs to start reproducing !!) and my friends who are fathers. You guys rock!
To my dad ,Ed, I miss you. You would be amazed by your grand kids, totally.
To my dad ,Ed, I miss you. You would be amazed by your grand kids, totally.
They need our help
Although I always feel horrible (and donate to relief efforts) when a natural disaster strikes, both in the US and in other countries, this one hits really close to home for me . I grew up in Nebraska (GO BIG RED!!) and my brother lives in Iowa. I have family in Indiana. They are all ok for now, but many others haven't been so fortunate.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
McCain=anti choice
Yes, this is about abortion again. Sorry. Actually, it isn't so much about abortion...I'm not pro-abortion. In my perfect world they would be completely unnecessary , and I'm sure most pro-choice people feel the same way. This is completely about giving women options and the right to have a say over their own bodies. If we want to really end abortions, lets start with adequate sex education , followed by a healthy amount of self-esteem for girls. Lets make sure women understand that they have every right to say "no" , lets help our men understand that a woman is not just a toy for them to play with. Lets get our insurance companies to cover not only viagra but birth control. Lets give our kids the best education we possibly can so they can compete for and get good jobs , which will help end those abortions caused by financial strain.Lets make sure there is adequate affordable childcare. Lets tell our men that fathers *are* important , that they need to play an active role in both the pregnancy and the child rearing. Lets realize that for some women, whether for health reasons or the fact that do not want a child (no,women are not automatically predisposed to wanting babies), being pregnant just is not an option and sometimes birth control fails, and stop letting doctors decide if its ok that a woman wants to have their tubes tied. Do you think they deny men vasectomies because "they may hear that biological clock ticking someday?".
Ladies, we need to stop thinking of ourselves as second class citizens. We count. We aren't just here to enrich the lives of men. One of the most effective tools we have is our vote. When we vote, we are actively being participants in the decisions that affect us.Think about that for a moment. You wouldn't let someone else make you wear clothes you don't like or order your dinner at a restaurant without your input. You wouldn't want someone else to name your children or decide where you should work, would you? Yet, women don't make the connection between not voting = someone else making the decisions that impact your life the most. You may feel like your vote won't matter....if it matters to YOU, it matters enough. If it empowers you on any level, it matters. Whether you choose to marry and have kids, marry with no kids, not marry at all, divorce an abusive husband, work outside the home or work at making your house a home , your decisions should be the ones that work for you. And so should your vote.
I'm truly not trying to turn this into a political blog (really!!!!) but this is something I feel so passionate about. John McCain is not a friend of women. If that doesn't matter to you, vote for him (see, I want you to vote, even if I disagree with your choice) but I want to know who you are voting for.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Barack Obama
This is the official website for Barack Obama. Here you can learn his positions, his record and read/watch his speeches.
Fabulous!!
I am thrilled with this news ! Equality and justice for all .
Its kind of funny, its the year 2008 and sometimes I think about how advanced we are. Think of all of our technological break thoughs, our space exploration, our medical triumphs. Its pretty amazing that less than 100 years ago we didn't have any of this stuff.
Then I remember how (by comparison) how slow our progress has been towards equality. We are still debating whether or not we are all equal. Its considered "historic" to have our first really viable black cantidate running for the highest office in our country, its "barrier breaking" to have had our first really viable woman competing for that same office. Our congress is still arguing whether or not to make it illegal to pay a woman less than a man for equal work. We are still trying to decide if gay citizens are really *people* who deserve the same rights and protections as the rest of us. We still are unwilling to stop starvation . We are complacent about laws that are designed to punish a specific segment of our population .
We have a long, long way to go.
I'm hoping this LGBT Caucus can help to end some of the mis-information and discrimination that is out there.
There should only be laws against hate, not love.
We aren't equal until we're all equal.
Its kind of funny, its the year 2008 and sometimes I think about how advanced we are. Think of all of our technological break thoughs, our space exploration, our medical triumphs. Its pretty amazing that less than 100 years ago we didn't have any of this stuff.
Then I remember how (by comparison) how slow our progress has been towards equality. We are still debating whether or not we are all equal. Its considered "historic" to have our first really viable black cantidate running for the highest office in our country, its "barrier breaking" to have had our first really viable woman competing for that same office. Our congress is still arguing whether or not to make it illegal to pay a woman less than a man for equal work. We are still trying to decide if gay citizens are really *people* who deserve the same rights and protections as the rest of us. We still are unwilling to stop starvation . We are complacent about laws that are designed to punish a specific segment of our population .
We have a long, long way to go.
I'm hoping this LGBT Caucus can help to end some of the mis-information and discrimination that is out there.
There should only be laws against hate, not love.
We aren't equal until we're all equal.
Friday, June 6, 2008
A great example of why I have a hard time taking some "pro-life" people seriously
This reaffirms my assumption that most (not all) people who claim to be pro-life really aren't. What they are is "anti abortion". "Life" generally means the entire time you are alive , not just the 9 months before you are born. What do I mean, you ask? Well I'd be happy to explain.
In my experience ,most pro-life people usually make exceptions for :
Mexicans, especially the illegal ones. Who cares if they are trying to improve their lives ?
Anything having to do with guns, because we all know guns don't take any innocent lives. I own one , by the way and believe it is every Americans choice to do so.
Gay people. Their lives are immoral and therefore don't count.(unlike the lives of adulterers who have simply sinned and should be forgiven)
The death penalty . Those people have committed a crime and forfeited their right to life. Even the wrongfully convicted ones. ( I don't have a problem with the death penalty when guilt is provable waaaaaaay beyond the shadow of a doubt. Fry that Enron guy.)
People who aren't Americans...because we all know our tax dollars should only be used to directly benefit us. Hey, we didn't force those Africans to have sex, did we? Of course, we don't want them to have abortions or use birth control either, and never mind that they are under educated and that the women have no say over whether or not they want to have sex .Heathens.
The other excuse, I mean reason,I hear from the pro-life crowd usually involves God's will. "If God wills you to have a child, you should have that child." Hmm, ok.This could be fun:
If God wills you to be in a car accident, you shouldn't accept medical help.
If God wills someone to break into your home and kill you , you should let them. Get rid of the alarm system and the gun. Shoot the dog.
If God wills a terrorist attack, who are we to stop it. Say goodbye to the military,Homeland Security, all security at air ports etc.
Cancer? you say, yeah....God's Will.
Lost your job? God is willing you to be broke and possibly homeless. Go with it.
In my experience ,most pro-life people usually make exceptions for :
Mexicans, especially the illegal ones. Who cares if they are trying to improve their lives ?
Anything having to do with guns, because we all know guns don't take any innocent lives. I own one , by the way and believe it is every Americans choice to do so.
Gay people. Their lives are immoral and therefore don't count.(unlike the lives of adulterers who have simply sinned and should be forgiven)
The death penalty . Those people have committed a crime and forfeited their right to life. Even the wrongfully convicted ones. ( I don't have a problem with the death penalty when guilt is provable waaaaaaay beyond the shadow of a doubt. Fry that Enron guy.)
People who aren't Americans...because we all know our tax dollars should only be used to directly benefit us. Hey, we didn't force those Africans to have sex, did we? Of course, we don't want them to have abortions or use birth control either, and never mind that they are under educated and that the women have no say over whether or not they want to have sex .Heathens.
The other excuse, I mean reason,I hear from the pro-life crowd usually involves God's will. "If God wills you to have a child, you should have that child." Hmm, ok.This could be fun:
If God wills you to be in a car accident, you shouldn't accept medical help.
If God wills someone to break into your home and kill you , you should let them. Get rid of the alarm system and the gun. Shoot the dog.
If God wills a terrorist attack, who are we to stop it. Say goodbye to the military,Homeland Security, all security at air ports etc.
Cancer? you say, yeah....God's Will.
Lost your job? God is willing you to be broke and possibly homeless. Go with it.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Liar , liar, pants on fire
Did he lie? Forget? Is he planning on "borrowing" his position from Obama? I guess we'll never know
Change We Can....rip off of your website
I had to post this ! I'm quite sure McCain didn't intentionally copy Obama's website. Just for laughs, Google "leadership you can believe in".
and not to be a complete hypocrite, I ripped that picture off of the Huffington Post.
Soldier discusses his first kill (warning, some graphic images)and "drop weapons"
I'd like to make it VERY clear, I support our troops 100%. These brave men and women excel at every task given to them. I am proud of them and grateful for their service to our country. Videos like this are a reminder that we send these man and women to hell and back for our country. The man in the video has to live with his actions for the rest of his life. We need to make sure our soldiers get the help they need when they come home. Please write or call your Senator and let them know how important this issue is to us.
These numbers are from Senator Harry Reid's office:
The Cost to Our Forces in Iraq
3,990: American troops who have died in Iraq since the start of the war. [icasualties.org, 3/17/08]
29,395: Number of U.S. service members that have been wounded in hostile action since the start of U.S. military operations in Iraq. [AP, 3/11/08]
60,000: Number of troops that have been subjected to controversial stop-loss measures--meaning those who have completed service commitments but are forbidden to leave the military until their units return from war. [US News and World Report, 2/25/08]
5: Number of times the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment has been sent to Iraq. They are the first Marine Corps unit to be sent to Iraq for a fifth time. [San Francisco Chronicle, 2/27/08]
2,100: Number of troops who tried to commit suicide or injure themselves increased from 350 in 2002 to 2,100 last year. [US News and World Report, 2/25/08]
11.9: Percent of noncommissioned Army officers who reported mental health problems during their first Iraq tour [Los Angeles Times, 3/7/08]
27.2: Percent of noncommissioned Army officers who reported mental health problems during their third or fourth Iraq tour [Los Angeles Times, 3/7/08]
Please go to www.anysoldier.com and learn how you can show your support.
Do what is right because it is the right thing to do.
Do what is right because it is the right thing to do.
I'm trying like hell to live my life by this. Sometimes its so easy to get caught up in the "whats in it for me" mindset that I forget it ISN'T always about me. I've noticed that I'm not the only one . I've had conversations with people I know are really good hearted people, and even they will say things like " Why should we (the USA) give aid to muslim/African/communist etc countries when "they" (other muslim/African/communist etc) countries won't? I guess my answer is that we should *because* others won't. We should be the first ones that offer aid to those who need it. Why ? Because it is the right thing to do, and we pride ourselves on being a country that can be counted on to do what is right.
How often do people pass a homeless person by and say "why should I help him/her? I work for a living, why can't they?" Answer that question in your mind.....why can't they? Maybe they have a mental illness. Maybe they served our country and came home with PTSD. Maybe they fell into a cycle of addiction and are unable to pull themselves out of it. Maybe they can't get a job because they don't have a way of cleaning themselves up for the interview or an address to put on the application. Maybe they had a job, but lost it when the employer went out of business. Perhaps they, for whatever reason, weren't equipped to deal with life. Maybe they can't read or write.
Maybe if *you* had been born into whatever circumstances *they* were born into, *you* would be the one depending on the kindness of a stranger . Have some empathy. Put yourself or a loved one into their shoes. Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
If you think that your success is all due to your own hard work and perseverance maybe you ought to ask yourself why that entitles you to look down on everyone else. I hope you have a good answer ready because I believe God is going to ask you that same question.
Here are some smaller more personal ways I'm trying to do what is right.
My list :
1.give people the benefit of the doubt, a helping hand and a listening ear.
2.give compliments freely and criticisms only when they are constructive.
3.recognize that kindness isn't weakness , both in myself and others.
4.smile at people, especially grouchy ones.
5.let go of competition and jealousy. My shortcomings aren't anyone elses fault and recognizing someone elses achievements instead of pointing out their flaws helps raise me up instead of just tearing them down.
6.get to know people instead of listening to the gossip about them and make my own decisions.
7.let people get to know me. let my insecurities go. I don't have to be perfect.
8.be an active participant in my future.
9. give, give and give.
10. Remember that "There but for the grace of God go I”. To me that means recognizing the good fortunes I have had and realizing not everyone has had them. We all have had people , events or situations that if removed would have caused our lives to go in very different directions. Ask yourself "what if" a lot, because someone else is living that life you could have had to live.
For example:
What if I had been born in Darfur?
What if I had to live as a woman in a muslim country?
What if I had been born with a mental illness, a physical disfigurement,no family support etc. ?
How would you have liked to be treated?
Do what is right because it is the right thing to do.
I'm trying like hell to live my life by this. Sometimes its so easy to get caught up in the "whats in it for me" mindset that I forget it ISN'T always about me. I've noticed that I'm not the only one . I've had conversations with people I know are really good hearted people, and even they will say things like " Why should we (the USA) give aid to muslim/African/communist etc countries when "they" (other muslim/African/communist etc) countries won't? I guess my answer is that we should *because* others won't. We should be the first ones that offer aid to those who need it. Why ? Because it is the right thing to do, and we pride ourselves on being a country that can be counted on to do what is right.
How often do people pass a homeless person by and say "why should I help him/her? I work for a living, why can't they?" Answer that question in your mind.....why can't they? Maybe they have a mental illness. Maybe they served our country and came home with PTSD. Maybe they fell into a cycle of addiction and are unable to pull themselves out of it. Maybe they can't get a job because they don't have a way of cleaning themselves up for the interview or an address to put on the application. Maybe they had a job, but lost it when the employer went out of business. Perhaps they, for whatever reason, weren't equipped to deal with life. Maybe they can't read or write.
Maybe if *you* had been born into whatever circumstances *they* were born into, *you* would be the one depending on the kindness of a stranger . Have some empathy. Put yourself or a loved one into their shoes. Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.
If you think that your success is all due to your own hard work and perseverance maybe you ought to ask yourself why that entitles you to look down on everyone else. I hope you have a good answer ready because I believe God is going to ask you that same question.
Here are some smaller more personal ways I'm trying to do what is right.
My list :
1.give people the benefit of the doubt, a helping hand and a listening ear.
2.give compliments freely and criticisms only when they are constructive.
3.recognize that kindness isn't weakness , both in myself and others.
4.smile at people, especially grouchy ones.
5.let go of competition and jealousy. My shortcomings aren't anyone elses fault and recognizing someone elses achievements instead of pointing out their flaws helps raise me up instead of just tearing them down.
6.get to know people instead of listening to the gossip about them and make my own decisions.
7.let people get to know me. let my insecurities go. I don't have to be perfect.
8.be an active participant in my future.
9. give, give and give.
10. Remember that "There but for the grace of God go I”. To me that means recognizing the good fortunes I have had and realizing not everyone has had them. We all have had people , events or situations that if removed would have caused our lives to go in very different directions. Ask yourself "what if" a lot, because someone else is living that life you could have had to live.
For example:
What if I had been born in Darfur?
What if I had to live as a woman in a muslim country?
What if I had been born with a mental illness, a physical disfigurement,no family support etc. ?
How would you have liked to be treated?
Do what is right because it is the right thing to do.
I have always loved this image . Her determination inspires me. This isn't some mamby pamby woman waiting for Prince Charming to come along and rescue her , no this is what sheer feminist willpower looks like. She isn't your honey or your sweetie. She doesn't care if you think she is pretty. It pisses her off when she thinks about men deciding whether she is smart or capable enough to vote. It pisses her off even more to think about some guy debating whether or not she deserves equal pay for equal work. She doesn't give a damn about what you think she ought to do with her body. She might be a career woman or a stay at home mom, but her choices are made by her . She is tough enough to fight for our country , both on the battlefield and on the homefront (often with a baby on her hip) . She symbolizes the quiet strength women have to do whatever it takes to protect what they love. This woman doesn't accept that she is somehow less of a person because of her gender. She doesn't buy into the "boys will be boys" excuse or the image of the long suffering woman. She has the ability to love a man without losing herself in him , and the self esteem not to love a man if it isn't truly what she feels in her heart .
Rock on Rosie, I'll be right beside you.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I'm going to ramble here if you don't mind.
First of all, I'd like to congratulate Senator Obama for his victory. I truly believe he is the best candidate in the presidential race this time, and I am proud to have annoyed all of my friends and family with my support of him.
I'd also like to congratulate Senator Clinton. While politically she isn't my first choice, I have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for her. Way to shake up the boys club Hillary !!
Some things have been on my mind a lot lately. Both of my children are within 5 years of becoming adults. I am so apprehensive about the world they are going to be going off into. I hate the fact that there is really two different realities out there. One (and I won't lie, the one I hope they can be part of) is a world of opportunity. In that world, there are jobs , affordable places to live, people being decent to one another and equality. The other one (which I hope I've raised them to try and change) has desperation, hate and hopelessness. I didn't want them to have to be faced with so many horrors. I hoped that I would be sending them out into a world without so much selfishness and greed. I don't want them to be infected with the "me and only me" attitude that seems to permeate our society. I guess I can only hope that I've done a good job as a parent . Sigh.
I'd also like to congratulate Senator Clinton. While politically she isn't my first choice, I have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for her. Way to shake up the boys club Hillary !!
Some things have been on my mind a lot lately. Both of my children are within 5 years of becoming adults. I am so apprehensive about the world they are going to be going off into. I hate the fact that there is really two different realities out there. One (and I won't lie, the one I hope they can be part of) is a world of opportunity. In that world, there are jobs , affordable places to live, people being decent to one another and equality. The other one (which I hope I've raised them to try and change) has desperation, hate and hopelessness. I didn't want them to have to be faced with so many horrors. I hoped that I would be sending them out into a world without so much selfishness and greed. I don't want them to be infected with the "me and only me" attitude that seems to permeate our society. I guess I can only hope that I've done a good job as a parent . Sigh.
Quote for today :
All of us have to recognize that we owe our children more than we have been giving them.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton
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