It took us a while, but we caught up on all orders, and we have plenty in stock for inauguration. As of this week, we're shipping orders the next day after they are placed. If you ordered before today or if you returned an item for exchange before today, your request has already been shipped or is being shipped tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who has been patient and thanks to those who have reordered or shared our concept with friends and family.
Completely changing the subject, we're very proud to have been mentioned by the husband of Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm in one of his recent weekly messages. Michigan's First Gentleman, Daniel Granholm Mulhern, encourages us all to have faith and confidence and to take risks that move us forward. Ojamas Sleepwear is honored to be featured as a case study by Mr. Mulhern.
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On November 4, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama issued a challenge to every citizen of the United States. In a world of hope, his message will be answered by those beyond the barrier of borders or the positions of the past.
Barack Obama said,
"This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other."
Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States on November 27. I invite every one of you to find a reason to give thanks and share it with another person. I encourage you to reach out to others in your family and community so that no one will be lost or alone for at least this one day. Individual acts of caring and kindness do not require government programs, formal organizations, or economic stimuli.
I challenge you to act NOW!
p.s. pass this message along, thanks.
I support Mr. Obama in this year's presidential election, though it wasn't always so. Consequently I come to this discourse after careful consideration.
As we approach the last debate, I IMPLORE him / his advisers:
Put more substance to his comments. At the same time, he would do well to RELAX, laugh, make an appropriate joke, and continue to validate the good that is occurring in our world right now. Eliminate reaching back into the past -- been there, thoroughly done that! We KNOW how you voted for the war in Iraq. Now - acknowledge the positive changes (but explain them in light of global and reform; speak to "the surge" and why the positive outcomes were inevitable). This goes for other issues where you continue to beat the drum of the past even when it isn't directly related. Continue to 'check' McCain on half-truths by looking him in the eye and proferring your comment with respect.PROVIDE DETAILS -- the little history lesson in Debate 2 was exceptional. TELL us that events are evolving so fast that no ONE solution stated today can be a guarantee for the changes and challenges ahead facing our nation economically, socially, and environmentally. But here is what you propose based on the circumstances of today....And here is how you will make room for flexible solutions as circumstances shift.
If those of us who support you can cringe when you evade answers (like the last "Zen" query of Debate 2) then the door will continue to stand ajar for opponents.
Lastly, for now: refer to the incident at the praying wall when your prayer was breached and broadcast to the world. REPEAT IT. Tell us that any decent leader has to be humble in asking for divine guidance. Say that you don't have all the answers - right now. But that you have a dedicated, top notch team and a supportive and vigilant electorate who will come together to craft the solutions that reflect American values, ideals, perseverance and courage. That you are MORE THAN ready, willing, and able to lead Americans as we all face the challenges and ultimate victories ahead.
This last debate is upon us -- DO THIS!
Dr. Bieniek
Okay, here are my results. I'm pretty sure they're close...
A couple words had no mentions so I added a couple that bother me, Nukular and I-ran. The letters represent who said the words (B: Biden, S: sarah palin, G: Gwen Ifill), with the commas separating questions. I added I-ran about half-way through so I may have misplaced some commas.
Now, let's see where the pundits and polls line up as to where the money goes...
(My apologies: the site won't let me apply my own styles and they've messed with the spacing for unordered lists so I had to make the last three lists ordered.)
This is my first blog post on the campaign site. There are reasons that I have not written before now - quite a few actually. There's the lack of time, the exhaustion after working and volunteering for an alumnae group ion my local area. There's the question as to whether or not anyone would listen to what I have to say. And then there is the biggest reason: The Hatch Act.
For those of you who are not familiar with the Hatch Act it basically prohibits government employees from campaigning from their place of work. My employer has taken the definition of this particular act a little more literally as we have employees in every town and walking to every address in the US. Yep - I work for the US Postal Service, specifically at Head Quarters which means I am not a route or in a facility. On top of that - my work location is actually my home.
Both the fact that I work for this organization that has access to every citizen and the fact that I work from home have made the ethical question of whether or not I can be involved in the campain above and beyond donation one that was a bit sticky for me so until now I have opted to stay quiet and donate what my family can afford when we can afford it.
So - what changed? What caused me to move past the ethical questions surrounding the Hatch Act and raise my voice? Two words:
The economy.
Someone once told me that history is a wheel destined to repeat itself unless we learn from it. I am amazed that the lessons of the worst economic disaster of the last century were so ignored that only eight years into this century we have managed to repeat it. I am amazed that the lessons from one of the worst military disasters of the last century were so ignored that less than eight years into this century we are facing a war that has caused us to once again be one of the most reviled countries on the planet. But most of all, I am amazed that we have had to tap into systems and funds put together during the Great Depression just for this reason and yet our administration still will not take responsibility for the disasters they have created.
I could give you a number of reasons for why I have chosen this particular party and this particular candidate but honestly I would probably be preaching to the choir. If you are part of this community then you too have chosen to back a ticket that will break an eight year cycle of incompetence.
Unfortunately, that may not be enough.
It took FDR 4 terms - almost 16 years - to bring the US out of the Great Depression and he had a number of factors that assisted that process and a number of programs that increased government spending exponentially. The good news - it worked. The bad news - Obama will only have about a year and a half to start showing progress before he has to start campaigning again. Do I think he can do it? Maybe - if he has the kind of help FDR had when his administration, Congress and the Senate created the programs that are in some cases still with us.
We have a big task ahead of us. Not only do we have to work together to ensure our ticket is elected, but we also have to make sure they have good people to work with. We have to make sure our Senators and Representatives are willing to make the sacrifices required to turn our economy around and raise us back up from the pit we are falling into. On top of that, we have to be willing to make those sacrifices ourselves.
Tighter belts? Yes. Admitting mistakes? Yes. Higher taxes? Probably. Know this now and it won't surprise you when it actually happens. Understand that it must happen in order for us all to work together as a country to rebuild what we ourselves have destroyed.
Only then will we be able to look at ourselves in the mirror and be ready to face the rest of the world with the humilty and dignity required to gain back global trust.
I'm up for the challenge - are you?
Home from the grocery store, the buzz of political news reached my ears once more. Keith Olberman is donating another $100 dollars to the Alaskan Special Olympics due to Palin telling another lie, McCain is making yet another awfully generalized inflammatory statement without any facts to back it up, and poor Obama is wielding a verbal fire extinguisher at the podium being forced to waste more time on rebuttals about the latest load of bull instead of talking about the issues that will actually affect us. Nothing new, right?
One thing struck me with concern though... the latest news out of Michigan. For those that haven't heard, some Grand Old Party thought it would be a good idea to make a list and check it twice of foreclosed homes so that any voter registered to that address can be challenged under the idea that they are "Not a true resident of the city or township."
So the paranoid part of my mind invoked a shifty eyed expression over my dinner, as if my pizza were some "Election Challenger" in disguise, and I asked, "So under what grounds could someone actually take away your right to vote?"
I offer you a challenge. Go to this site and give Hon. Howard Kaloogian a piece of your mind: http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com/
His Email address is: info@ourcountrydeservesbetter.com
I just did...
Hon. Howard Kaloogian:
I was offended by your assessment of Obama at first. Then I realized some people lack the intelligence of the world they live in since all they do is breath in it. Most people would be more comfortable with the Republican candidate since they do little to help real Americans or this nation. Why else would someone not realize a vast majority think that neither man would affect anything differently than the other with the mess the Bush Administration leaves behind. The Bush's budget "deficit is approaching $500 Billion a year, the next president, regardless of party, will have his hands tied..." [my emphasizes] The reality of the situation shows Obama is on the right path with a proven historical path established under the Clinton Administration. President Clinton 1990's plan did not lose ground until the Republicans came into power in the Congress & Senate and forced little-known trade tragedies. This provided the Bush Administration the silver platter it needed before the swearing in ceremony took place.
The Republicans implemented the redistribution of wealth further with the revisions in the tax code & economy with these unproven trade tragedies. Part of this revision was making sure the "little people" at the bottom pays and no one else should. This provided insurance to the Bush Administration that it could squeeze more of the middle class far below the poverty levels.
The Bush economic policies lead us to many financial first:
* 54% of the nation’s wealth is held by 5% of the population. [How's that working for the middle & poor classes?]
*The American Debt is being funded by a Communist Nation along with our retirement funds (SSI) by using the Congressional Voting card as if it’s a credit card with the President's Approval signature.
*The increase in Tax Credits shifts the burden of funding services from the national level to the local level.
*The top 1% of the population became 400% richer than the middle class.
*A record number of older workers are being forced out for younger workers with lower wages.
*There were so many first with the Bell Curve on Wall Street a record number of brokers are writing books on it.
*A record number of submortgage lender have gone defunct.
*Foreign entities are allowed to buy American-made state road and highways.
*It’s the first time our law enforcement agents have been sent to jail for doing their jobs in relation to cheap labor disputes for big business.
You expects me to forget: Eron, Worldcom, Mortgage subprime lending debacle, Freddie & Fannie bailout as well as the largest financial clearing house/institution, the largest nation-wide drop in home values & home losses, largest DOW swings in the summer of 2008 since the 1800's, an upside down economic bell curve, the largest transfer of wealth in US History, selling of American's landmark assets to foreign investors, massive loss of good paying jobs to foreign countries, the worst financial credit crisis in 78 years, the largest trade deficit to a Communist Country and so much more. I'll stop here since it is clear all these items are taxes on the middle class. McCain's tax plan is detrimental to the health of this nation. Without the middle class, there is no nation to sell to the highest bidder & no desirable items on Wall Street either.
Government can not solve everything but at least it should clean up the messes it makes in American Life; not victims of the mess. Remember the current hardships and economic mileau were not created by the Democrats but the American Public will expect them to clean it up like the Dems have done historically every time the Republican mess hits the floor over the last 100 years. Just as You should point out "...Obama, who's no dummy..." faces "the worst financial crisis in 78 years."
Sincerely,
Mrs. E. Marie Green
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8 Million+ Reasons and Counting To Thank Sarah Palin:
From Oliver Willis:
As I pointed out, Sarah Palin’s partisan screed activated the Republican base, but while it probably turned off the middle and other independents, it also activated the Democratic base. I’m hearing that since Palin’s speech, Obama’s campaign has pulled in around $8 million — and growing. Moral of the story, as we hear more from the RNC, let's keep fighting back with our checkbooks!
We need to take control of the dialog in this race. ASAP.
It's so easy. Challenge McCain.
Pick a handful of points and CHALLENGE McCain directly on those points.
Such as:
"I challenge John McCain to support my tax cut for the Middle Class."
"I challenge John McCain to support investment in Renewable Energy and Conservation."
"I challenge John McCain to tell us how he would fix the housing market."
"I challenge John McCain to support the Iraqi government's request for a timeline to get us out of Iraq."
Then HAMMER IT HOME.
Change the dialog.
Make HIM respond.
Otherwise, we are letting Karl Rove dictate Barack Obama's campaign.
Dictate the dialog. Rule it. Own it.
Do it NOW or they will STEAL THE ELECTION AGAIN.
Hi folks,
I hope everyone got an opportunity to attend a platform meeting and develop an American issue for submitted to "Obama for America's" Democratic Platform Committee. Remember the the deadline is July 27, 2008.
You do have the convenience of submitting online at "Obama for America's" website at:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/actionsignin
Only in America can the possiblity of your issue can "be incorporated into the final platform and ratified at the Democratic National Convention.”
Our group did submit one titled "Platform Submission - Economy" to "Obama for America" before the deadline of July 27, 2008.
We had our meeting on July 23, 2008 at the Central Library in Marietta, GA
Attendees were: Marie Green, John L. Holliday, and Karol Richardson
Wish us Luck since we believe the subject and our solution profoundly affects American Life.
Your "NWGA4Obama08" friend,
Marie
Remember Our challenge is not "fighting the world that IS" but "Creating the world that COULD BE".
Context: Download the speech here and View the video here.
First reaction: “Holy shit.” Second reaction: “Is that even possible?” Third reaction: “Holy shit.” Fourth reaction: “Pass the vodka.”
That was the the universal response; and that was by Thursday night. By the time Gore made it to “Meet The Press” Sunday morning, the press and the blogosphere had dissected his entire plan within an inch of its young life. Almost nowhere were people standing up and cheering “Yes We Can!” as if Barack Obama had taken the stage. Almost everywhere, people were downplaying the “reality” of the plan, and amping-up the questionable “possibility” of Gore's plan. Despite incredible cheers the moment it was made (to a crowd of excitable admirers, no doubt); Gore's plan was panned almost across the board by the MSM pundits and presserati.
Even the usually-malleable Tom Brokaw, (filling in for our dear, departed journalistic hero Tim Russert) seemed to not even glance in the direction of 'hope' and seemed to bat-down the plan without even an exploration of its points of possibility. Instead, Brokaw wasted his time with Gore debating the overall notion of the plan, ignoring its points of merit; choosing to refocus the discussion on the recent “New Yorker” cover, Gore's relationship with Bill and Hillary Clinton, and his appearance at The White House as a Nobel Prize recipient.
The question left on the table still isn't being covered by the MSM. In essence, does the U.S. (and arguably the world) have the guts to actually take on Gore's challenge? Do we still have that “Henry Ford” or “Wright Brothers” belief in our own abilities to actually make a go of it? Or, alternatively, are we resigned to the status quo, drilling offshore for oil that won't even make a dent in the fossil fuel dependence vs. climate change issue.
In the shadow of Anheuser Busch's absorption by InBev, does America still hold Augie Busch's legacy of good 'ol St. Louis can-do-it-ed-ness? Are we even going to try? Judging by the reaction from the press and pundits, one must shed a tear for the apparent lack of sack that is being reflected back at us.
Frankly, as an American, I'm embarrassed.
Rather than questioning the possibility or potentiality of Gore's plan, where are the people calling for Americans to “strap-a-pair-on and go for it?” The bottom line reality of the situation is that we need to listen to this man. So should both Presidential candidates, as should anyone running for Congress. Entrepreneurs all over the world should consider Gore's challenge a call-to-arms, and venture capitalists should consider this gamble to be the biggest opportunity we've ever had to duplicate and surpass the golden industrial age in both accomplishment and profit. Call it the “Greendustrial Revolution.”
All of the aforementioned parties should consider Gore's vocal leadership a common-sense airing of what we already know...we have to pull our stuff together and just go for it. I find it interesting that this kind of visceral, no-nonsense, “git-'er-done” kick-in-the-ass is exactly what the U.S. Economy needs, yet Wall Street doesn't seem to be getting it yet. More interesting (and frankly, a point of personal satisfaction) is that the current President seems to be sidelined in the current debate, preferring to return to what he knows (drilling) vs. what he doesn't (leadership). Once again, Al Gore is proving that he is more Presidential than the President himself, even in his call to “widen the space of political debate” and move forward with a tangible goal for all of us, regardless of partisan affiliation.
We need to “step up” and actually try to make this thing happen. Even if we don't do it in 10 years, we arguably might get a major portion of Gore's list accomplished and save the planet. Agreed, it is a daunting, and seemingly crazy proposition, that we might actually replace fossil-fuel-based electricity with clean renewable energy. Even if we achieve even half of what is necessary to reach the long-term-vision, at least we're going somewhere in the same direction...hopefully saving human civilization from itself in the process.
“Holy shit, pass the vodka...and the silicon. (gulp) Yes we can!”
Copyright 2008 Scott B. Foval
July 17, 2008 - Al Gore invited every American to accept a challenge: "I ask you to join with me to call on every candidate, at every level, to accept this challenge - for America to be running on 100 percent zero-carbon electricity in 10 years. It's time for us to move beyond empty rhetoric. We need to act now."
Mr. Gore put forth a way each of us can help: "This is a generational moment. A moment when we decide our own path and our collective fate. I'm asking you - each of you - to join me and build this future. Please join the WE campaign at wecansolveit.org. We need you. And we need you now. We're committed to changing not just light bulbs, but laws. And laws will only change with leadership."
Q. My boss consistently gives me more work than another employee. Should I say something about it?
A. Yes you must, otherwise, you will simply get more of the same because he/she will believe that you don't mind that extra work. Of course, there is also the saying, "Work a willing horse."
Any behaviour which is not noticed will continue. Your silence merely suggests that it is all right to give you more work. Moreover, if you say nothing, you simply condone the action and become a doormat. If you are not sure how to actually deal with this problem, you could try the following way in your own words:
