This blog was passed on to me with the following note:
"This is a very good piece written by an Evangelical who is committed to putting his faith into practice and finding common political ground among people of faith."
Its well worth the read, as it offers some great talking points against the arguments put forth so often by the religious right. Obama is the choice for a more just future.
Yes We Can.
So, to rehash:
Thursday: 50 Obama signs arrive and 35 are immediately distributed in L/W County
Friday: 6 or 7 of those signs disappeared overnight. We replaced them that day. While one lady went to have dinner at the Moose, her sign was stolen AGAIN.
Unreal. Immature. Lowlife. That's all I have to say about our sign-thief.
Go ahead. Rip 'em down. We'll keep putting them right back up, all the way to November 4th. Then we'll see who's sign is still standing.
It seems to me that most party-line Republicans site "values" right away when asked about their position, and more often than not, "family values" in particular are sited. SAHM, fiscally conservative, church-going, small-town-dwelling, wild-game eating lil ol me knows that its ridiculous to equate such "values" with a political party; how often I have been mistook, much to my chagrin, for right-winger! (And yes, John McCain, those are sarcastic air-quotes around "values" in reference to the Republican's self-designated stranglehold on "values," which is where they belong rather than in reference to the valuation of a Woman's health.
Back to the issue at hand, where are those "values" of honesty and forthrightness and respect for property and our constitutional right to free speech? You see, we got 50 new Obama signs in our community yesterday, and last night, many of those that had been proudly displayed in front of good citizens' homes were stolen. This is the second time this has happened, and when I filed a police report this morning, I was told that it had just happened in Warroad as well.
And speaking of values, Republicans, quite a few people are pretty ticked off not only about the signs, but also about the calls they have been getting this week which falsely attempt to label Obama as a terrorist. Have you sold your souls? These tactics are vile and disgusting and unwelcome. One RNC caller left a phone number: 202-863-8500. Give it a ring and tell these creeps what you think. And that goes for you law-abiding, issues-voting, upstanding Republicans out there, because you know what? Your reputations are going down with this, too, and quite frankly, you deserve better.
And as for the signs, the 80-year-old man whose handmade sign you stole last night? Replaced. "Gal the Plumber's" sign you stole last night? Replaced. Sweetest grandma and knitter-extraordinaire's sign you stole last night? Replaced. That true woman of the north, a great-grandma who could show Sarah Palin a thing or two about hunting, her sign? Replaced. That mamma who's been working hard for Obama since last February because, damn it, her kids deserve it, her sign? She replaced it, made another donation to the campaign, and bought a spare for a friend.
Talk about firing up the base. Hockey mom's, here we come.
Yes We Can, and let me know if you need a sign or a bumper sticker. I'm only too happy to accomodate.
We have insurance through my husband's job.
Our insurance sucks.
8 years ago, we had excellent and amazing insurance.
Now we don't.
I just finished wading through the bills for average family health expenses. In addition to very high monthly premiums and penalties on HSA accounts that are kept above a minimum amount, I just wrote out over 2 grand in checks to our clinic.
I'm disgusted.
I've done some figuring and there's no way that McCain's proposed 5K will come close to covering our plan. What a joke. If you care about families with young children, if you care about keeping moms and dads and their kids healthy, DO NOT VOTE FOR JOHN McCAIN. If for no other reason.
Also, the debate party's off for tomorrow night, as the stomach flu has hit our home and we're still recovering...and waiting to see if the last member of our family falls prey to this ugly virus. Needless to say, we're not going to the doctor over it.
Please see the extended text for some information I gathered this morning regarding the candidates plans and how they may relate to the leading industry in our area. Conventional wisdom in pharmaceuticals, for what its worth, has favored Republicans in past elections. Obviously, this gamble has not paid off so well under the Bush regime. However, the industry as a whole has been shifting support toward the Democratic side since 2006, and that shift has become more pronounced this election year. As I have been comparing and learning about this issue, I give Barrack the win in this category. I am no expert in this arena, but I do think that those who have simply voted Republican in the name of our town's industry in the past should revisit this issue for themselves.
The first debate, it was just us. One friend then showed up for the VP debate. One more family showed up for the last debate. So by my calculations, our goal should be one more new person or family for the final debate. Its really great to have a growing network of Obama supporters in our little community!
If you're thinking about having a little debate soiree, go for it! Its so much fun! We had the token 6-pack, which I was informed was not quite "Joe" enough since it was in bottles rather than cans. But I never buy beer, so how was I suppossed to know? I asked the bartender at the Muni (for the uninitiated, that is short for Municipal which is what it implies: our town actually runs a beverage joint) for a hick-beer, and that's what he gave me. I was depending on him to be the professional expert in such things. On the liberal-elitist side, we indulged in a bottle of Merlot and Chardonnay Champagne. Of course, only liberal-elitists showed up, dressed in sweatshirts & camo and gathered around our crummy old tiny half-broken tv, so we have the beer in the fridge for next time.One guest was very thoughtful and brought along his bobblehead McCain and Obama dolls. See, I told you we're a high-brow bunch! The Sarah Palin venison chile went over well, along with the cornbread, and homemade apple pie a la mode. Actually, if I do say so myself, the apple pie was near perfection. I have the crust down, thanks to my new acquisition of locally-milled, organic, golden-white pastery flour. I'm debating (no pun intended) between garden-pumpkin, apple, blueberry, or peach for the next debate. Cast your vote here.The kids ran around and ended up staging a debate of their own. They called it the Hogwarts debate, with our daughter behind her toy-box-turned-desk as the moderator with a Barbie microphone and a princess gown. Her best friend was Sarah Palin and our oldest son was John McCain (didn't we raise these kids better than that???!). Of course our youngest played the part of Obama, complete in dress-up high-heels and pushing a pink baby-buggy full of wooden toy trains. We let them stay up late, even on a school night, because we want them to grow up with the view that our democracy is something to participate in AND celebrate!We're already planning election night and innauguration parties. All are welcome at our place for the next debate, of course -- I know Wednesday is church night up here for many, but come on over afterwards. If you're too late to moderate it, you can join us as a post-debate pundit. Yes We Can!
That stands for Bring Your Own Six Pack.
Who: those Obama friends who don't mind a kid or two melting down before bedtime and the picture quality of our 12-year-old k-mart tv and the expansive seating available on our basement floor from which you will probably pick up some clumps of dog hair on the seat of your pants. If we were Republicans, we'd have the wide flat-screen home theater posh set up, but as it is, its just humble lil' ol' us.
What: debate party.
When: Tuesday. dinner-time on
Where: my crummy basement
Why: cuz a friend stopped over for the vp debate and it was really fun!
How: in honor of the event, we're making a crock of "Sarah Palin" venison chile. I might make some cornbread, too, if I get crazy. As mentioned, BYOSP or something to share and wear something warm as my basement is chilly.
Last night, someone stole my trusty "Obama for President" sign, which has adorned my front yard since last February. I noticed its absence on my way to church, and needless to say, the discovery put me in a very un-godly state of mind. And to top it off, it was my Sunday to read! I know I messed up some of the transitions and cues, and who knows, I might have even read the wrong scriptures, but the Spirit must have been present because I made it through the hour without breaking into tears.
I've thought about filing a police report. I've thought about writing an editorial. I've ranted and raved and told every sympathetic ear I could find about my tiny tragedy. I've concluded that the perp was most likely a cowardly, druken Oktoberfest attendee with a lack of civic obedience and a failure to observe that most American of American amendments that guarantees us each our freedom of speech. I'm trying not to hold this against the Republican townsfolk in general; I'm trying not to take it personally; I'm trying not to jump to any conclusions about a deeper hatred towards my family; I'm trying not to be angry.
I've taken consolation in the kindness and outrage of my friends and neighbors. I've taken consolation in the polls. I've taken consolation in knowing that I've been effective in making my position on the future of my children's country well known enough to garner a reaction. And I've taken a lot of consolation in the fact that my one missing sign is going to lead to quite a few replacement signs, struck into the ground in solidarity with this campaign. And in the meantime, I've hung a rally poster in my window, because Yes We Can.
Another great local supporter passed on a newspaper clipping of Garrison Keillor's recent article about Sarah Palin called, Old Scout. You can read it at the link or click on the extended text for the full article. So that's the news from Lake Woebegone.
http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/features/deskofgk/2005/old_scout/
Please take the time to read the entire "Your Nation on White Privilege" article below. I found it on a friend's blog, and it sure provides some talking points for discussions with our Republican friends.
After years and years of waiting, November 4th is suddenly not very far away! Here are my plans for the day:
1. I will bring my big kids to school late that morning. They are going with me to see how to vote. Yes, I know I could bring them after school in the evening, but I think that it will have a bigger impact on them to make it a big, special deal. Who knows, we might even go out for scones afterwards to celebrate! Plus, it will give them something interesting to contribute to their school day once they join their classes; maybe it will even inspire some of their classmates to go home and tell THEIR parents to vote!
2. I am honored to have registered my first new voter, and I even have a date to pick him up and take him to the polls! There are a couple more weeks for voters to register via mail, and I understand that new voters can also register at the polls in the state of Minnesota (can anyone please confirm this? I'm such a newbie that I'd hate to tell someone they can vote only to get there and learn otherwise!). After I bring my big kids to school, my "Got Hope?" mobile will be available to pick up voters and get them to the polls. So please spread the word, and offer a ride to someone yourself!
Yes We Can!
I received, and responded to, this e-mail from ONE today. I hope you will follow the link and do the same if you haven't already. It took all of 3 minutes.e-mail snippet:Two. Only two questions about global poverty have been asked in the history of modern presidential debates, going back to Kennedy-Nixon in 1960. That’s less than 1% of all questions asked.To change that shockingly low figure, ONE is launching a new campaign to get “Just ONE Question” about the fight against global poverty asked at the 2008 presidential debates.The first debate at the University of Mississippi at Oxford, Mississippi, will focus on foreign policy and is only 10 days away. Take action now by sending the message below to debate moderator Jim Lehrer. Click the link and we’ll send your message to Mr. Lehrer, urging him to ask Just ONE Question on the fight against global poverty.http://www.one.org/debates/o.pl?id=562-3625604-3GfZXsx&t=2At the presidential debate, please ask John McCain and Barack Obama just ONE question about their plans to fight global poverty.my question:In 2001, the World Trade Organization released the Doha Development Agenda stating that "We are committed to addressing the marginalization of least-developed countries in international trade and to improving their effective participation in the multilateral trading system." Senators, free trade does not equal fair trade. How does your policy support the Doha Development Agenda?
Please submit a question of your own. I'm thinking, without a doubt, that this is an area of the debate where Barack will positively shine when compared to his opponent!
Usually Chris Matthews is not one of my media "faves" (sorry, but I think its the voice), but I've been so impressed by what I've caught coming out of his mouth over the last couple of days. I didn't catch tonight's broadcast, so hopefully it continued the tenor of the week, but here's the letter of praise I sent here: Hardball@msnbc.com
"Sprout" has come up with a new election season slogan for those of us in the northland. She says we need shirts...the artwork could be fun!
" MCCAIN/PALIN=CHANGE?
WHEN PIGS FLY!!! "
YES WE CAN.
With hunting season now upon us in the North Country, my hunting man has brought to my attention that Barack Obama has received the endorsement of the American Hunters & Shooters Association. Please read the extended text for more, and thanks to the source http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/harperlee/gGxYhC.
I'd also like to emphasize that Sarah Palin does not have a stranglehold on the hunting lifestyle & community. I know MANY progressive and liberal hunting families up here, people who are responsible with their weapons, conscientious about their hunting, and who really depend on the healthful, sustainable, and economical meat throughout the year. Being an outsider to this place, I had never tried venison until I met my husband; now, I no longer care for the taste and texture of beef. Hunting does not a hick make, and we should not sit around while Ms. Moose-Shooter spreads that image around the world. Barack Obama is fully in favor of the rights of sportspeople: spread the word.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/mnteamobama
Go to the link above to join MN Team Obama. There are three different levels at which you can volunteer; I, myself, chose the lowest level of involvement due to family & job responsibilities this fall. However, it is a start, and we all need to do SOMETHING and NOW. The polls are close, and this is happening on our watch.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/mnheartlandtour/
Bemidji looks like the closest one for us...September 10, 1 pm, BSU.
https://voteforchange.com/
Please go to the site above to check your own voter registration status.
Please go to the site above to register to vote.
Please link to the site above on your own blogs & e-mail groups.
