To Stick or Not to Stick?

Posted by She Said

I recently freed myself of my mommymobile (aka minivan) and acquired a much more “I’m an outdoorsy type” Outback. It’s even a stick shift, which alone makes me feel 10 years younger. And in our very four-seasons climate, these “I can easily go kayaking! or skiing!” cars are very popular. (Not that I do either of those things, but still.) These cars are EVERYWHERE.

So, I was trying to figure out how to make mine stand out a bit? I’ve been wavering on whether or not to put my politically-affiliated bumper sticker on the car, but in a fit of Angry Susanne, I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and put it on my car. And as I was smoothing down the final corner and checking Facebook at the same time (hey, not all multi-tasking skills left me with motherhood!), I saw a friend’s post about being opposed to putting any sticker on his car but would possibly consider this one:

Now, the geek factor alone on this gem seriously makes it worth sticking it on your own forehead and running around for everyone to see. Stick it, I say! Had I not just sealed the deal with my own sticker, I may have considered that one instead.

So, anyway, I digress. Political bumper sticker. My car. Done deal. I am going to be acutely aware of any increases in one finger salutes in my direction and any increases in being cut off. Hopefully I’ll get a few thumbs up. At least my sticker just states where my support lay and isn’t one of those horribly blunt and downright rude stickers. I won’t say whose team (*cough Romney cough*) I keep seeing them for, because, you know, that would just be tacky.

Still pondering my choice to commit to the stick at the grocery store today, I happened to park next to a car with one of those aforementioned snarky stickers. This was no ordinary car either; it was also plastered with the name of the person’s floral business. If I were the owner of a small business, I would definitely consider the fact that I could be pissing away half of my customers by mixing my political beliefs with my business.

All I can say is thank goodness I’m a slacker and don’t have my own business! I can piss off whomever I want! (Sorry, parents.)

So, what do you think about political stickers on cars? Are only certain ones upsetting? Do you stick? Or do you avoid sticking? Inquiring minds want to know!

Time for a Push

Posted by She Said

I’ve always believed our culture evolved in a manner similar to a pendulum moving. Advancements in women’s rights and GLBT rights, for example, come with a pushing back by those who don’t want change, but change comes nonetheless. It may not be as fast or as complete as those pushing may want, but advancements ARE made. The push, and subsequent push-back, mimics the movement of the pendulum. Our culture evolves from this motion.

Recently, however, there has been such an incredible insurgence of people pushing our culture back, back, back. That pendulum is flying so hard back to the early 20th century that I feel like I’ve been bitch-slapped. And what are those that fought so hard for advancements in women’s rights, in GLBT rights, and in science doing? I for one feel like I have been standing here watching the train wreck that is our culture. I’m so shocked by stories in the news, DAILY! news, of things being said and done that are chiseling away our advancements, and not subtly either. These are big chunks coming out of culture’s advancements. And all this hate and intolerance is just pulling all the crazies out, making them mainstream. It wouldn’t be an ordinary day anymore without hearing about some other white man redefining rape or “traditional” marriage.

You know what I’m talking about, right? Legitimate rape. Life begins two weeks before conception. Don’t want to get pregnant? - put a dime between your legs. Magical vaginas that know how to “shut down” a pregnancy resulting from rape. Radio station cancels public affairs program over interview with LGBT advocate. Don’t look like a white politician? Better carry papers. Want contraception? - you must be a slut. Pray the gay away! Evolution is a theory and can’t be taught in schools. And the list painfully goes ON and ON and ON.

My stages of grief over this attack on our advancements have been clearly visible. I have certainly been in denial about this cultural war. Certainly this craziness has got to stop! I’ve been depressed about this backlash on women, immigrants, the GLBT community, science. This is all so unbelievably sad! Now, I am angry. I’m absolutely pissed that hate seems to be the norm for so much of our society today. I’m pissed that people are publically speaking their racist, homophobic, misogynist, and anti-reason minds and HAVEN’T BEEN CALLED OUT ON IT ENOUGH. I’m pissed that our push-back hasn’t been as loud and visible as the crazies has been. I’m pissed that so many haters don’t see it as JUST THAT – HATE.

But I guarantee there will be one stage of grief I will never reach. I will never accept. I will never accept that hate will win out over love. I will never accept that there are more intolerant people in our country than those who cherish and respect differences in others. I will never accept.

It’s time we woke up and dust off our <insert any number of groups under attack here> rights signs and proudly display them again! Get out there and have your voice heard! Enough is enough. Let’s push back, people! PUSH BACK!

An Open Letter to Chick-Fil-A

Posted by She Said
It is with heartfelt enthusiasm that I write to you today. You see, I need to get a few things off of my chest, and how better than with the written word to completely express the way you have made me feel over the last week?

When the news hit of your open financial support of organizations that oppose gay marriage, I felt anger, gut-wrenching anger. And it’s not like I even inadvertently supported you in your lofty goal of inequality because we don’t even have a Chick-Fil-A around here! No pennies of mine went to such a blatantly intolerant and hateful goal! Nonetheless, the anger I felt was palpable. Why be so cruel as to spend millions on stopping love? And don’t quote any biblical source for your reasoning, because I think that is a lot of blather anyway. Frankly, your “divine” book serves as nothing more than a scapegoat for your hate and intolerance, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

People on both sides of the equality debate were up on arms about your announcement! When Thomas Menino, the mayor of Boston, urged you to stay out of his city, honestly I was thrilled at first! Hooray for a loud, public voice standing up to your message of hate and intolerance by denying you access to the city! But then I realized that was not the answer. I used to work in public access television and had to educate everyone, even those with messages of hate, on how to create television shows. I did it out of a reverence for free speech. So, where I appreciate the sentiment of Menino’s letter, I do not approve of denying your rights. So see, I am truly the bigger person here because I will stand up for your right to try and deny others theirs. I know you don’t see it like this, but come on, let’s call a spade a spade. You can open up a franchise in my city even, but I vow to you today that I will never support your goal of inequality. I will never drop a dime on your fast food. I will never will take my children to your establishment, and I will openly and honestly explain to them why.

Lastly, when the blogosphere and Facebook exploded with those who oppose you and support you, your message had another unforeseen affect on me. I am originally from Texas, so you can probably correctly guess that I have some kin that proudly ate up your intolerance sold in the form of a chicken sandwich on your Chick-Fil-A appreciation day. Oh, they boasted about it on Facebook! All that did was show me what I suspected already, that they support you in your mission to prevent people from being equal. So, thanks for that. You outed the intolerance in my family. I had to go and hide some of my own family on Facebook so that the spikes in my blood pressure wouldn’t put me in the hospital! You may think I am joking, but I am not. I desperately want my family to embrace equality, to fight for it even! But instead your “appreciation day” put the proverbial nail in the coffin of my dream of a family fighting for justice.

Some say this whole thing is blown out of proportion and is stupid at its best. So, why am I writing this letter? Years from now I want it to be publically known, to my children especially, that I was on the right side of history on this. I don’t ever want them to look back and think I didn’t do anything, didn’t say anything. They will have seen their mother stand up for equality for all. I will continue to do so by exercising my right to not spend my money in your establishment and through my vote.

Regards,
Susanne

Now Where Did They Put That Unfriend Button?

Posted by She Said

An issue has come up several times in my life over the last few months that has finally shown its festering head and is ready to be popped by means of this blog post. I’m squeezing that bitch. It may get political, so if you don’t want any on you, consider yourself warned.

Facebook has always been an outlet for me to express my political views, views which have turned me into the black sheep of my family and the black sheep-in-law in Greg’s. Other than through Facebook, these scandalous views have only been expressed at my own dinner table with my own husband or with like-minded friends. What views? (Hey, you were warned!) The firm belief that every person should have the right to marry the love of their life, regardless of sexual orientation. I know, GASP! The belief that the issue of women’s health and birth control is deserving of a respectful discussion, without booing and hissing from an audience. I know, I’m a dreamer, right? The belief that I’m not going to succumb to right-wing fear mongering. There are others, but I think you get the point. I lean left.

So, anyway, Facebook. I have used the social networking beast to express those beliefs. Lately, after a few comments from several of my posts, I am doubting this outlet. Around family, I am polite and pull my proverbial head into my shell when it comes to politics and religion and keep my mouth shut. To their credit, they generally do the same around me. Why rock the boat, right? But Facebook feels like a gloves-off kind of arena, where kicking, biting, and spitting all fall under the rules of fair play. That is why Greg has decided to stop posting political commentary on Facebook and put it on that other social networking site. Damn, what’s the name of it again? Oh yeah, GooglePlus. I’ve kind of stuck to my squirt guns and kept on posting whatever I felt like on Facebook.

But now, I’m questioning this. I’m questioning this because of the political lurkers. You know, the people who are your “friends” on Facebook but ONLY comment on your political posts. They ignore all the cute anecdotes about your kids. They ignore all the cute pictures of your puppies. They ignore the fact that you are checking in at the gym, busting your ass trying to get in great shape by your 40th 29th birthday. But the nanosecond you post something political, BAM! they have to let you know how much they disagree with you, how much they feel they have the superior belief, and how much they think you are a douche for having the beliefs you do.

Is this a form of cyber bullying? Seriously. I don’t feel like I need to put up with this. I’d had it with one lurker and ended the Facebook “friendship” after sending what I felt to be a polite email explaining why I was doing so. Don’t get me wrong, I can handle a political discussion – when it is possible. It’s the snark-filled, rude comments for which I have no energy, no willingness to dust off my debate skills. Those kinds of comments do not pave the way for a healthy discussion. Seriously, why bother? They’ve already essentially told me they think I’m a douche for my beliefs, and I doubt any kind of wicked debate skills would reduce my douchery level in their eyes.

How do you handle this? Do you sensor your posts? Do you maintain better control of your friends list than I obviously do? Do you comment on political posts with which you do not agree? And if so, how do you do it? If it starts with “Hey, douchebag…” then I think you missed my point and you don’t need to answer the question.

Ah, hell. It’s spring. Maybe it is time for a Facebook friends list spring cleaning. Thoughts?

Let Freedom Ring

Posted by He Said

This post has been removed.  While I was passionate about writing it, my concerns for myself and my family while I am overseas outweigh the need to express myself. 

This post will be revisited when I return home.

Updated 6-27-10

I originally wrote this while in China after visiting Tiananmen Square in Beijing.  After posting it I became concerned for many reasons,valid or not.  I have reposted it here from American soil.

The Original Post:

Today we visited Tiananmen Square (pronounced here Tee-awn AWN en). If you have been living under a rock, or are under the age of 30 you may not even understand the significance of Tiananmen Square to those of us who come from a free country. In fact, although it is on the top 10 travel checklist for Beijing on every travel site we have visited and all hosts have recommended it, I think that it has tourist value for very different reasons.

Here Tiananmen Square (which was first built in 1651, although the Tiananmen Gate was built in 1417) is important for its place in Chinese culture for the proclamation of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949 as well as the burial place of Mao himself. As important as his resting place is historically, it was not on our list of “let’s stand in line for HOURS ON END with two children” to see a dead guy who started this country down the path of communism. It is not referred to here in this light. It seems like most people discuss this here (in my experience) with reverence and pride. Of course, they live here so they know where the big man keeps the hidden cameras and microphones.

Mao Zedong Mausoleum

I wanted to see it for a different reason. Tiananmen Square stands out in my mind as a place where people stood in protest for their freedoms against great adversity. Many lost their lives for their opinions and beliefs. This is why I wanted to see Tiananmen Square. Ironically enough if I try to visit the Wikipedia page linked from the top of theTiananmen Square Wikipedia page, “For the 1989 protests, see Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.” this is what I see.

This is no surprise to me. Although it is quite easy for all of you living in free countries, or those without internet restrictions to see THIS page, the very page you are reading right now, I cannot even POST it without extreme technical challenges because the majority of public blogging sites are blocked. Nor can I or any citizen of China read a page about the historical facts about the government actions against its own people in 1989 on the very grounds from which this countries People’s Republic was declared 40 years earlier. This was what drew me toTiananmen Square.

We headed off this morning with no real plan, only get on the subway line 10, switch to Line 1 and get off atTiananmen East, and thanks to my 99 cent iPhone app we got there (even without wifi and 3G thank you very much) safely. We have become subway pros here.  When we got out of the subway at Tiananmen East we had no idea what to expect.  I knew that this area was significant, large and used for government events (it had been closed to the public just weeks before for that purpose).  All I knew was that Tiananmen Square was on the left and Forbidden City was on the right, and we needed to head east.

So east we went. Following the crowds of local Chinese we moved in the direction of the square.  The street here is huge.  Twelve lanes in fact. So large there are no crosswalks, no bridges, but only underpass walkways to take you across.  I don’t think this photo begins to convey the size of this road.  I guess it needs to be large to accommodate the tanks.

April 5th is a national Chinese holiday (Qingming Festival or Tomb-Sweeping Day) so the crowds of people in the square were quite large.  We are not talking shoulder to shoulder, but crowded nonetheless.

There were security checkpoints to enter the square.  Now realize that the square is just that.  A large tiled area with a monument in the middle and Mao’s tomb at one end.  But we had to enter a tent, have our bags x-rayed and some people were even scanned with metal detector wands.

As we entered the security checkpoint area I leaned into Susanne and whispered in my most serious voice “You don’t have any Freedom in the backpack do you?”

Inside the square Braedyn asked “why are we here?” referring to the square.  I knelt down beside him and began to try to explain to a 6 year old about student protests in 1989 and how the Chinese government used tanks to stop the people from protesting.  I explained that people died.  They died for doing things that we at home can do, like expressing our opinions. I tried to explain to a 6 year old boy, standing on the same ground that tanks once rolled against protesters that they do not enjoy the same freedoms here that we do at home.

I was almost brought to tears trying to explain it to him. He may not have understood completely. But I did, and it moved me.

Tiananmen Square as viewed looking across to Mao Zedong Mausoleum at the far side. 
Original image can be found here. 
Licensed under the GFDL by the author. 
Released under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Leave a Legacy of Tolerance and Kindness

The Marriage Bill is our generation’s chance to change society’s injustice. The late 1800’s saw the addition of the Fifteenth Amendment to the constitution, giving people of color the right to vote. The early 1900’s saw women finally get the right to vote with the addition of the Nineteenth Amendment. People need to stop the injustice and discrimination against same-sex marriage, and let their children, and their children’s children know that they were part of the change. Now. Seriously, our grandchildren’s grandchildren are going to look back at this time and wonder what the hell the big deal was.

When thinking back to the women’s suffrage movement or the civil rights movement, I believe that the people who were against it back then were a bunch of ignorant and racist jerks. I think the same type of sentiment will be held in the future for those against the marriage bill today. It’s time to stand up against this injustice and leave a legacy of tolerance, kindness, and acceptance to our children.

Senator Diane Savino really did a great job standing up for the Marriage Bill. She’s leaving a positive legacy. Shouldn’t you?

Bouncy Houses for God

I am appalled by the amount of shit that hit the fan when the President of our United States wanted to address the students of our country. Parents threatening to not send their kids to school. Facebook was crawling with polls about this “controversial speaking to students”. News sites were reporting stories of parents freaking out with worry that their children were going to be brainwashed. And all of these panties in a bunch and ruffled feathers were for what? Because the President wanted to encourage students to take an active role in their education.

GASP!

He wanted to talk to them about the value of an education.

OH THE HORROR!

He wanted to energize kids who might find school difficult.

WHAT WAS HE THINKING?

He wanted to express the importance of doing homework.

WHO WANTS THAT?

My Kindergartener did not get to see President Obama’s speech. I wanted him to, but he didn’t get to. His class didn’t see it. I have not found out yet why this is. Did enough people call and complain? Did the school district as a whole decide they weren’t going to air President Obama’s address to their students? Did they think Kindergarteners wouldn’t watch?

On the VERY SAME DAY that my son DID NOT see an encouraging speech from the President of the United States, he came home with a flier he had been given for a “community event” hosted by a religious organization. Cross on the flier and all. But they are giving away a Wii! But there will be seven different bouncy houses! What kid wouldn’t be enticed by that? Apparently the school district can get away with pushing a religious event (let’s call a spade a spade) by placing the following disclaimer at the bottom:

Distribution of this material does not constitute an endorsement by the school district. It is provided as a community service.

So, I’m trying to wrap my brain around this one. Work with me here.

Encouraging speech for the students?

No.

Religious propaganda distributed through school?

Yes.

Students enlightened by a President who cares about them?

No.

Schools encouraging bouncy houses for God?

Yes.

OK, I’m still trying to wrap my head around this very whacked scenario. It may take me a while… Thinking… thinking… thinking…

Nope. I don’t get it. You?

Hooray for Jock Boys Holding Hands

Greg played racquetball with Jacob today, and during the pummeling (who won? I’ll never tell), Jacob told a story that I would like to share with you.

That stupid, morally-inept group of ignorant fucks that do things like protest at funerals happened to show up at Jacob’s high school this week. I’m not even going to mention the group’s name because they don’t need any more publicity, however small the addition here may be. They showed up to protest the presence of the GSA, the Gay Straight Alliance, at the school. They held up their signs proudly professing their hate and their god’s hate in their typical fashion, and interestingly enough, the words were actually spelled right, unlike some ignorant folks.

The media got wind of it because, oh, the witless twits called them personally. I really wish the media would just tell them to go to their hell, but that is not the type of world in which we live, so the media showed up. The kids at the school were told to ignore them, but once the media showed up, it became an “event.”

What I am most intrigued and proud of is how some of the students at the school handled it. Four male jocks held hands and strutted in front of this group. Two lesbian students made out in front of them. Hoo-effn-ray. I am proud of the students at Jacob’s school for standing up for themselves and others. It wasn’t THAT long ago that I was in high school, and I can’t imagine the same set of circumstances occurring.

What a world we live in that personal freedoms are such an issue for some people. If the quiverfull has their way, we’ll all be outnumbered soon, so let’s hurry up and pass laws allowing same-sex marriages and subsequent adoptions, and get them pumping out the kids to make it a fair game.

Twitter Me This, Batman

Occasionally I like to play a digital version of connect the dots, but in my case the dots are people. For example, I sometimes like to see who some of my Facebook friends are friends with and then who they are friends with, and on down the digital line.

• FB friend –>
• FB friend –>
• FB friend

When I follow a blogger, I will go to some of the blogs they follow and then check out the websites of some of the people who comment on those blogs.

• Blog I follow –>
• Blog they follow –>
• Random comments by other bloggers –>
• New blog

On Twitter I will see who else is following someone I follow, and who follows them, and I keep connecting the dots until I have found someone new to follow or in super special cases like that of Tee, Greg and I have her and her fiancé over for dinner.

• Twit I follow –>
• Twit they follow –>
• Twit THEY follow –>
• Dinner

Yeah, I guess Greg and I troll online for friends, but it is fun, and we have certainly expanded our virtual circle of friends this way (Uh, can you say I, Rodius and Libby Logic?)

I know Greg and I are not the only people who do this. Someone started following me on Twitter who follows someone I follow. So through this common denominator, she found me. Her Twitter page looked interesting, so I figured I’d follow her too. Um, not always a good idea. This morning, she twittered a link to an article that was clearly anti-Obama. So, I twittered back something that may not have been the nicest thing. You know, being the ObamaMama that I am, I couldn’t help myself. Oopsie.

Twitter me this, Batman. Could her twitter have been tongue-in-cheek? Maybe, but probably not. You know how I know? Because I played some more of digital connect the dots. I went to her Twitter page and looked at some of the people that follow her. All I have to say is EEK!

• Her Twitter account –>
• Twitter accounts of random people that follow her –>
• EEK fest

Moral of the story? Make your husband comfort and feed the kids at night so you can play digital connect the dots with a clear head.

Ah, Venice Beach

Up until college I was pretty much a mousy girl – I didn’t argue with teachers about grades, I did what I was asked to do, I was home by curfew, I didn’t question authority, and for crying out loud, I thought I was a Republican because that’s what my parents were (and are).

When I arrived at Fish Camp prior to my Freshman classes at Texas A&M, I knew no one, and more importantly no one knew me. Alone in this foreign, and by foreign I mean strange, place allowed me to explore myself without the self-imposed constraints that come chained to a personality that doesn’t (or didn’t) like to rock the boat. In high school, people knew me to be one thing, so I was that one thing.

Well into my first semester of classes, I was enjoying my new found friend, my voice, that came with my new self-exploration. I started telling people what I thought, what I REALLY thought. All the time. Which is probably why I only made one friend during my third and last semester at TAMU, which also happened to be her first and last semester there too. We didn’t fit in; we didn’t even feel like trying.

Oh, and how this fledgling voice of mine could have gotten me into some serious trouble! During my first and only bonfire at TAMU, there were a group of guys yelling out racists remarks about the members of the football team who were being introduced during the festivities. What was more shocking than the statements themselves were the smug and proud attitudes of those making them. Sadly I had heard racist comments before, but those making them generally did so in their own homes or under hushed breath. These guys were hooting and hollering and proud. PROUD! Even though my red neck roommate was enamored with the one she swore looked like Clint Black, and I was all “Who?”, I could not squelch my new found voice, and I let her rip! I waltzed up to these three or four guys and told them that what they were saying was wrong in so many ways. And then the crazy arguing ensued. Me. Against them. I don’t remember how the battle ended or even who “won” because it didn’t matter ultimately. I fed my need to speak up, to stand up for what I believe in, and to let them know that everyone doesn’t agree with their bigoted beliefs.

Oh boy, then came Freshman English. In preparing for the long research paper that had been assigned, the teacher went around the room and asked each of us to tell the class what our paper was going to be about. And no shit, the girl next to me was doing her research paper on why people with AIDS should be forced to wear specific “identification bracelets.” I told you! I didn’t fit in, not even a little bit. And for that, I make no apologies.

My turn to disclose my research paper topic came, and if I could have captured the energy of the dropped jaws upon my announcement, I could have sold it and paid for my college education outright. I decided to explore the reasons why hemp should be legalized in our country. As if my cut off shorts and Birkenstocks didn’t already give it away, my paper topic solidified me as…an outsider. And you thought I was going to say something else, didn’t you?

And write it I did, and again I make no apologies. The following summer I took a trip to southern California, a part of which was a day hanging out at Venice Beach. I can’t speak for how it is now because I haven’t been since, but for anyone who has been to Venice Beach in the early 1990’s knows this is the antithesis of east Texas. And wow, was it fun! As I strolled down the lane, one brimming with street performers, artists, and a plethora of eccentric peeps, I saw a huge banner hanging from a table that read “HEMP”. Uh, of course I checked it out! I started to chat with the fellow behind the table while munching on his roasted hemp seeds about all the injustices with the enthusiasm that only a young college student with a newly discovered voice can. I talked to him about a book called The Emperor Wears No Clothes that I used in my research paper at TAMU and how the author had been arrested after many years of growing hemp in his house. His response? “Yeah, I did.” Hot damn, I was talking to Jack Herer himself.

I don’t remember what grade I got on my paper, but I got to hang out with the author whose book I used during the writing of it. I may not remember the girl, but I do remember the stink eye I gave her in class when she announced her paper topic of mandatory AIDS ID bracelets. I may not have made friends, but I was true to myself. I may not have always had a voice, but I do now. I do have to admit to one major change that comes with age, um I mean experience, and that’s my ability to better choose my battles. Well, sometimes.

Pictures Speak Volumes

President Obama has everyone feeling better in our house these days.

During the Bush years, we were angry:

We felt devastated and frustrated to the point of break downs:

No one could ever get along:

But now. Wow. With President Obama in office, even for just the few days since the inauguration, we are feeling something new. A change in our house. Something wonderful. A sense that we can all get along for the greater good:

There Go Any Future Invites

So, I don’t know what it is about me and Greg, but we seem to find ourselves among a selection of alcoholic beverages and a group of uber conservatives. The first time this ill-fated combo occurred with non-family members was late this summer when I convinced, or rather TOLD, Greg that since the BBQ was at MY friend’s house, I got to drink, and he got to drive. (Frankly, I don’t think I will EVER catch up on how much he owes me drink nights with all the designated driving I did during two pregnancies and months upon months of nursing our children.)

So, there I am, enjoying a nice evening of chatting and drinking, drinking and chatting. And then (dun dun DUNNNNNN), the topic of politics came up. There were about six or eight of us sitting around the table in the back yard when the FBI agent and the stay-at-home mom (that would be me, in case anyone was curious whether or not I had a secret identity) stirred the proverbial pot with talk about the upcoming election and every possible uncomfortable political topic imaginable. It didn’t take long and we were the only two left at the table. For over an hour. Until Greg dragged me away and drove me home.

Since I worry, I figured we’d never be invited to anything by these people again. But I was wrong. Apparently enough time had passed for all to be forgiven because lo and behold we were invited to a Christmas party with the same group of people attending. This time, I told Greg HE could drink because I certainly didn’t want to have a replay of the last time we were all together.

Early in the evening the FBI agent and I poked fun at one another for our previous political pummeling, and then quickly changed the topic to something a little safer. Like the size and shape of the carpet’s loop pile beneath our feet. Or deciding whether the fondue had Gruyere cheese in it or not. Or whether a wookie would crush a My Pretty Pony when trying to ride it.

Then the entire lot of us, uber conservatives and the two token liberals alike, sat to partake in the “Yankee Swap”. This game, which serves as an ice-breaker among such groups, pits one against another for the best gift. It goes something like this:

1. The first person picks a gift and opens it.
2. The second person can either take the first person’s gift or pick another unwrapped gift to open.
3. If your gift is taken by someone else, then you once again can either take someone else’s gift or an unwrapped one.
4. This continues until everyone has had a chance to either steal away someone else’s treasure or take a chance with an unknown gift.

It was easy to spot the people who wanted their gifts taken by someone else in order for a chance to get a better one. In fact, the whole exchange sounded roughly like:

The fourth person up heard: “You really NEED a pink tie. Really.”

The seventh person heard: “C’mon. Pink is your color. You NEED this pink tie.”
“Box of chocolates?”

The tenth person heard: “C’mon, you can tie up your husband with the pink tie.”
“Box of chocolates?”
“You skin looks dry. You should take my lotion pack with Lipliscious products!”

The thirteenth person was bombarded with: “Pink tie?!”
“You REALLY want some chocolates!”
“Your wife would really like it if you gave her some Lipliscious skin!”
“Look, with this Buns and Abs DVD, you can start your New Year’s resolution early.”
”But you want the chocolates first!”

And so on…

I’m happy to report I ended up with a $20 gift card to Blockbuster, and Greg ended up with a $20 gift card to Keva juice. We scored. I guess no one wanted to piss off the liberals. You know how we are.

The ice-breaking Yankee Swap in conjunction with the numerous ways in which to imbibe provided the necessary ingredients for our next political run in. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t me OR the FBI guy this time. When I heard “I wasn’t about to vote for a Muslim”, it was my blatant queue to get my ass out of the kitchen quicker than the speed of one of my kids sneaking another brownie from the dessert table. I mean really, there isn’t a damn thing I could have said to that person that would change their mind. Without alcohol pulsing through my veins, my ability to choose my battles is much more spot on. Imagine that. So I high-tailed it out. Except this time, I left something behind. My husband.

This time it was him against all the other men at the party. Minus the FBI guy. So, I packed up our gifts, bundled up the kids, and placed them all by the door for a quick escape. I slyly snuck into the kitchen and tugged on Greg’s shirt. Then I yanked. Then I pulled on it with my heels digging into their tile floor. I was practically horizontal, but damn it all, he didn’t budge. If anything, it made him project even louder. But that’s not really possible, so it must have been my imagination.

As of yet, we haven’t received our New Year’s invite.

A Letter to My Children

Dear Braedyn and Emily,

Yesterday was an historic day in our lives. Your father and I helped elect Barack Obama as our country’s 44th President. There are many, many reasons this was an historical and ground-breaking moment in time. What I’d like to do with this letter is to help you understand why this day was so important to me.

Barack Obama is an amazing man who has ignited people to do good for their country. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and help in a way that I have never felt compelled to do before. By winning this election, he has made us realize how each of us is a part of his well-deserved victory. It is our victory. He is compassionate, intelligent, articulate, and has a clear vision for our country’s success and prosperity. He has united people like no other in my lifetime.

Beyond his concise and thoughtful approach to tackling the economic crisis and the wars we are fighting, I was so engaged by this election because of his kindness and humanity. I believe he understands the complexity and diversity of life, and by doing so makes me feel like he truly represents me.

He has helped to bring people together in a way that just thinking about makes me awestruck. It’s not that he himself did this unilaterally, but rather he rallied people to do what was already in them to do. He fired people up! To see Americans of each creed and color celebrating his victory, our victory, together, he has helped bring out the good in people. The good that I believe people want to share with one another, regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, economic status, gender, age, ability.

I am vehemently pro-choice. Barack Obama was the candidate that fell into line with my beliefs on this tough issue. His approach to such a heavily-debated topic is one that is filled with empathy. His approach is simple. Let’s work on educating people about birth control. Let’s promote sex education that is healthy, informative, and realistic. In doing so, let’s reduce the number of abortions. Let’s leave Roe v. Wade alone so that women’s lives will not be at stake. Educate. Educate. Educate. And by all means, let’s be compassionate about an outcome that no one “favors”.

I also passionately believe that non-heterosexuals should have every right that I do as a heterosexual American citizen. I do not believe the family unit as we know it today will suffer by allowing homosexual couples to marry or have children. Who someone chooses to marry does not diminish or tarnish the love that your father and I have for each other or for you. Frankly, who someone chooses to marry is none of my business. If being with someone of the same sex makes someone happy in this short life, by all means, be with that person and be happy. Enjoy it. Relish it. I know I cherish the life your father and I have built together. Far be it from me to stand in the way of someone else experiencing the same joy. Furthermore, by allowing someone to be at their partner’s deathbed in a hospital is not only the compassionate thing to do, it simply is the right thing to do. I hope by the time you are old enough to read and comprehend this letter, you have to dig into some history books to figure what the hell I’m talking about. I hope that this election helps incite much needed unity, compassion, and tolerance in this country.

I also want you to grow up around a diverse group of people and cultures. I believe this election has helped create an opportunity in our society to do something very simple -- to get to know one another. It truly is a simple thing, really. I think as Americans we needed someone to say, “hey, we are capable of doing this” and we needed a group, thirsty for change, to say, “yes we can.”

I love you both so very much. I want you to look back at this election and at this letter and realize your voices count in life. I want you to embrace the knowledge that nothing is outside your grasps. I want you to better understand me. Please live your life to the fullest. Every day. Every minute. And never, never forget how much you are capable of.

I Love Socialism, So I Am Moving To Alaska

I have been saying it and I am surprised it took A) the media so long to print it, or B) me so long to find it in print. 

If I hear Palin accuse Obama of socialism without preceding it with a full disclosure of how Alaskans get a check for oil produced in the state of Alaska, I think I will puke.

"And Alaska we're set up, unlike other states in the union, where it's collectively Alaskans own the resources. So we share in the wealth when the development of these resources occurs."(1)

I guess that's not spreading the wealth, its sharing the resources…oh wait, its redistribution of income to those who have not earned it…oh wait crap, those are all “socialist” methods of financial distribution.  Never mind “we are mavericks”, and oh, look over there, look over there…  RETCH.

If you can’t see or smell the hypocrisy here, you are pinching your nose, closing your eyes, and holding your breath underwater pretending its not there.  The socialism claims are hatemongering fear tactics and I am so done.  Bring on the election.

Who Takes Hope Away from Grown Ups?

OK, I was trying to keep politics out of my last post, but then I felt I was self-censoring, and I didn’t like that. Not one bit. So, here is my addendum.

Braedyn has learned a tough lesson about having something stolen from him. I feel jaded about this because I’d love to tell him that it won’t happen again. That he won’t ever have to feel the violation of having something taken from him. But as the election nears, I can’t help but feel I might have something stolen from me. If McCain/Palin win next Tuesday, they will have stolen something very precious from me. They will have stolen my hope that women’s rights aren’t going to take a huge backward leap. They will have stolen my hope that our country won’t become a joke to those in the scientific community. (Um, fruit flies, anyone?) They will have stolen my hope that our country hasn’t forgotten about the principles of separation of church and state. (God will take care of the election?? WTF?) They will have stolen my hope that we can be unified as a country. I don’t like how that possibility makes me feel.

What can’t be taken from me is my hope for my children. I hope when they are my age these are no longer the issues on the battlefield.

Keating Five For President ‘08

Let me preface this with the fact that until the spring of 2007 I was a registered Republican.  I registered Republican the day I could register and was proud to do so.

I continue to receive emails telling me how the current financial debacle is the fault of the Democratic party. Let’s look at some facts:

• Republicans have had control of the White House for 20 of the last 28 years.
• Republicans took control of Congress in 1992 for the first time in 50 years, and they held onto that control either in Majority or Plurality until 2006. (You can verify my facts from Wikipedia).

So, lets ASSuME that President Jimmy Carter and the "Liberal Democrats", and hell let’s even throw in the Acorn scandals, are to blame for the current financial crisis. With that assumption in mind, let’s analyze this.

For the last 28 years, any of the seated Republican presidents, the Republican controlled Congress were UNABLE, unwilling even, to see, stop and fix the “Carter/Liberal Democrat/Acorn” financial Tsunami that we now find ourselves in. Sounds like someone was asleep at the wheel.

On top of it let’s throw in a little fact that people seem to be ignoring this election.  Anybody remember the Keating Five?  I won't bother writing all the details here (feel free read all about it here – take your time, I will wait, I want you to be educated). Summary:

The U.S. Savings and Loan crisis of the 1980s and early 1990s was the failure of 747 savings and loan associations (S&Ls) in the United States. The ultimate cost of the crisis is estimated to have totaled around $160.1 billion, about $124.6 billion of which was directly paid for by the U.S. taxpayer.^[1]

That’s about 308 billion dollars today to you and me, paid for by the American taxpayer.  Sounding familiar? Who was behind this scandal, a one John McCain and four other U.S. Senators (full disclosure - the other four were Democrats). McCain was cleared of acting improperly, but was criticized for "poor judgment".

This is the same man who has a history of deregulation.  The same man running for President of the United States who wants to fix the financial debacle we are in.

Really.  The current financial crisis can be blamed on the Democrats? 

Tell you what.  If it is their fault, maybe they have a better understanding of the problem and we should put them in office to fix it. If it is not the Republicans fault they sure couldn’t see it coming over the last 28 years.  Talk about running the government blind.

It’s looking like the late 80's all over again but with a bigger bailout, a bigger financial crisis and a former Keating Five member wants you to put him into the White House to fix it.

Think about it.

Gotta Love My View

As I look out my window and type this, I can’t help but hum a ditty that was sung for years by our old pal, Mr. Rogers…

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?

Oh, I am SOOO ready to run over and introduce myself.

I canvassed for Obama yesterday. It was only for a couple of hours, and I got to walk around in a beautiful neighborhood with gorgeous old trees donning every Fall color imaginable. I don’t know how much of a difference I made ultimately, but it was certainly a great experience for me. Most of the people I talked to were friendly, and those that did take the time to chat with us were overwhelming pro-Obama. It was a heartening experience during such disheartening times.

I haven’t felt moved enough to volunteer for a political purpose since I was at Texas A&M in the early 90’s and proudly held my Pro-Choice sign along with about 15 or 20 others in front of the football stadium before a big game. Anyone familiar with the combination of East Texans and football can speculate correctly that this experience was highly volatile, er…memorable. It was an important moment in the shaping of my voice.

I encourage everyone to go out and early vote. The process was so convenient and easy. I was giddy with excitement as I voted and was practically moved to tears by the process.

Go Obama ‘08!

OK, now I’m going to have to excuse myself to go introduce myself.

Oh, To Be a Teen Again

Ah, NO. Let me repeat that. NO.

I just read an article about how Obama should discuss his cocaine use as a teenager more “candidly”. I can’t help but think, what the hell do we know about life when we are teenagers? What the hell do we know about the person we want to be as an adult when we are teenagers? OK, some itsy-bitsy percentage of teens may have these questions under control, but I sure as hell didn’t. I thought I was a Republican in High School. That’s what my parents were then (and ARE now *sigh*), so I figured that’s what I was too. Anyone who knows me, the grown up bill-paying, child-rearing, family-loving version of me now, knows that me being a Republican is about as ridiculous as Greg with long hair.

Back in teenagerhood, I had my “no” disrespected and didn’t do anything about it. Now, my guns are blazing. Proverbial guns, thank you very much. Sure, there are inklings of me today that are the same as that when, those many moons ago. Wait, give me a minute. I’ll think of some example… Really, hang on…

This is not to dismiss the powerful and important life changes that come with those difficult and trying teenage years. Who I am today is a result of who I was back then. I firmly believe that I am a stronger person today because of the mere fact that I got through those years. But I made choices back then that make my skin crawl today. Choices that make me feel incredibly lucky to even be here today to tell this tale. Scary choices that I learned valuable lessons from, and I hope to give my children the tools they will need during their own teenage years to make healthy, safe, and informed choices. But you know what? They will undoubtedly have to learn some life lessons on their own. THIS scares the hell out of me, but I know I can’t keep them in a bubble. Hell, I can’t even keep them in their beds through the night now! Let alone a safe little bubble.

So, trying to use Obama’s drug use as a teenager is a fruitless attempt to make some debasing point that is lost on me. It was a choice that he made, yes. It was something he chose to do to himself. He didn’t sit on someone else and force them to snort. Do the choices he made then make him less of a person today? Wow, I sure as hell hope not. Otherwise people might think really ill of me based on those crazy choices I made back then. I guess the guys trying to use this against him are so damn old they can’t remember their own teenage years and all the stupid crap they did.

Am I going to hold Obama’s drug use as a teen against him? No. Let me repeat that. No. For the same reason that I would hope no one would hold judgement against me for the choices I made as a teen. I shudder at the thought!

Four More Dead Terrorists

Seeing in this day and age it’s not very sensitive or appropriate to call empty beer and liquor bottles dead soldiers (and probably has always been this way) I have started referring to them as Dead Terrorists (thanks Tom C.).  Here are 4 more from my liquor cabinet.

George Bush Converted Me To A Democrat

I am mad and it's gonna show.

No matter how hard I try to explain it there is no convincing anyone that their political belief structure is out of whack. I won’t convince you, and I don’t really care. I just need to get this out there. So here is the short of it.

I have been a republican all my life. I used to be a huge conservative talk radio listener and Rush Limbaugh fan. It's true. So I have lived that side of the political spectrum. I don’t want to see any flaming comments that I don’t know what I am talking about. Because of my history I DO know what I am talking about. I think Ronald Reagan will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of our time. I think George Bush Senior did a pretty damn fine job (and he made a great SNL character - “Thousand points of light…not gonna do it.”)

But dammit, what the hell have the republicans been doing the last eight years? I am getting forwarded emails and comments from republican family members blaming this financial debacle on the democrats. Really? Who has been in office for the last eight years? If you knew it was a problem, then for fucks sake, fix it. It's nobody's fault but your own. If you are so incapable of being in office and power for 8 years and you can’t control those “damn” democrats, then you have proven yourself to be a completely incompetent group of idiots and deserve to get your asses thrown out of Washington.

I didn’t like Clinton. I was an outspoken opponent of his. But looking back, he balanced the budget. The economy grew. Things were good. Even I, a diehard republican at the time, can now look back and see that (“but I did not have sex with that woman’s dress”).

George Bush Junior made me a democrat. There. I said it out loud. I am coming out of the closet. Last election I was so furious at the incompetence and pious position that our president took on just about every issue that I hold dear (oh wait, I do like my handgun) that I registered democrat. The next time I hear a candidate talk about god, the bible, and the pro-life movement, I think I will reach deep down into my bowels and pull them straight out to strangle someone. As an out of the closet atheist it makes me want to puke to see laws based on a ghost story. Yes, I am rambling and I don’t care. At least when I ramble I can admit it (Palin could take a lesson or two from me).

So the republicans have converted me. It’s their own damn fault. They fucked up the last eight years and so now I am a registered democrat who still wants the right to own his guns.

Can someone explain to me how McCain is any different than Bush? Can someone truly look into their heart and tell me that there isn’t a single (JUST ONE) other person in this entire country better suited for the VP position on the republican ticket than Sarah Palin? No, really. Just ONE, it cannot be that hard. If you try to defend her, you should be judged incompetent TO VOTE. His choice of her as VP should be enough to get him LAUGHED out of the republican party. Really McCain, you expect me to trust you with this country when you can’t even do THIS right?

Can anyone tell me why we would put someone in office who would even CONSIDER ASKING to have a book removed from a library, or to make rape VICTIMS pay for rape kits? Seriously. Don’t give me any comments about any other issues. Just answer this question. If you had to elect someone into office on THOSE TOPICS ALONE, would you? If you would, then this country is in a sorrier heap than I ever imagined and maybe we should revoke your right to vote.

George Bush, it’s your fault I am a registered democrat and I hope you are happy.

BTW, can someone tell me where in McCain’s tax strategy how he is helping middle America? Unless he considers millionaires middle America.

Don’t give me this bullshit about “redistribution of wealth” because Sarah Palin already proves she supports it by each and every check she takes from the oil companies and gives to her residents of Alaska. Each and every check George Bush sent out for “tax relief” was redistribution of wealth. Its a buzz phrase republicans like to throw out there to scare Americans and frankly, it's crap. Just take a look at the definition of republican:

republican (plural republicans)

1. Someone who favours a republic; an anti-monarchist.
2. (history, politics) Someone who favours social equality and opposes aristocracy and privilege.

Using the scare tactics of “socialism” and “redistribution of wealth” is just a lame way to keep those who fear those words following the party line even when the politicians don’t truly have the best interest of their constituents in mind. It’s THEIR pocketbook and THEIR religious freedom they care about.

I didn’t keep it short and now it's really late and I don’t care. This is my blog and I get to rant as I see fit. If you were offended in any way by my comments…well…get a pair…because to quote the Angry Drunk I am “Delivering Enlightenment to the Masses, One Blunt Force Trauma at a Time!”

You have been enlightened whether you liked it or not.