well-written response to McC's VP choice

"Rachael" in response to one of the many CNN articles hashing the Palin VP selection-
August 29th, 2008 2:17 pm ET

I don't care that Palin has a special-needs child just like how I don't care the McCain was a POW or that Biden lost his wife and child in a car crash or how Obama's father was completely absent.

What I care about is that my body is not up for negotiation, I demand that my pay be equal, and more importantly, I demand that every single American have the same exact rights that I do. And for McCain to think that because I have a vagina I'm going to think that his old, mysoginistic ass picked a woman that I will vote for him? He's got another thing coming.

I was a Hillary supporter not because of her genetalia, but because of her policies. Policies that are closely linked to Obama's. So why would I ever, even for a fleeting moment, consider voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin? He voted against equal pay, and against the domestic violence act (penned by Joe Biden). So why, why would I find his choice anything other than a gross misjudgment and slap in the face of the American people, especially women. A woman with no policies or bad policies is no better, and in my opinion, much worse than a man with okay policies.

real politics

Had an interesting conversation with my cab driver yesterday in Las Vegas. He's from Ethiopia and despite the fact that he's only been in the U.S. for four years and he cannot vote he was incredibly in touch with the political realities of this country. As well, he appreciates the process having lived in a country where democracy is not a given.

He told of a protest in 2005, where 200+ people were killed by government troops for opposing the government's move to stay in power despite having lost their open election. I don't recall this ever being covered in the US press and sadly our government will continue to support the Ethiopian government as long as they continue to pay lip service and make even modest attempts at helping us in the "war on terror."

The cabbie pointed out that if we (the U.S.) made aims to support the people of these countries it would go further to combat terrorism than propping up corrupt governments who abuse their people and stain the reputation of the US by association. Truer words have not been spoken.

Skype me baby!

So, Skype may be the most perfect internet communication tool ever.

With a sister and new niece who live halfway around the world, it would have been nearly impossible even just a few years ago to have any expectation of getting to "see" them on any regular basis, except in photos or maybe some shared VHS tapes along the way. Now I'm able to dial them up at almost any time and peek in on all the developmental milestones of my goddaughter and most perfect baby in the world.

Isn't that the most incredible thing ever?

avert your eyes (political rant)

Is it just me or is the Obama camp mishandling the criticisms directed towards selection of Biden as VP?

Critique - His selection highlights Obama's lack of experience in foreign relations.

Answer - Decision reflects Obama's recognition of this critical moment in history & selection of someone who shares his views on need to mend our international bridges. Biden's demonstrated commitment to the importance of foreign relations is insanely important at a moment in history where our international authority, moral & other, is at an all-time low.

Critique - Biden is conventional, old-school Washington.

Answer - In addition to the points Obama is making about Biden living in Delaware, committment to family, etc.... 1) His experience allows him to recognize what's not working; how far we've fallen. 2) He's the top ranking Democrat on Foreign Relations - a committee that has no financial power in congress & therefore is dodged by politicians in favor of appointments that have more leverage over appropriations et.al. He's demonstrated his interest in governing rather than positioning himself for pork-barrel projects.

Critique - Biden is prone to gaffes.

Answer - He doesn't edit himself to score political points. He's going to say what's on his mind and what he thinks about a particular issue. McCain doesn't have a monopoly on straight talk.

'nuf said

I knew it, knew it, knew it!

It's Biden.

Like most every other believer I've been tied to my text message for the past 24 hours. Funny thing is I've been betting on Biden since the get-go. Considered working on his campaign but couldn't do it 'cause I sensed Obama would run & I wouldn't have been able to live with myself. I just fear he's a train wreck waiting to happen..... here's hoping I'm wrong.

Lost in Translation

I've been having major angst lately about what appears to be a drifting Obama campaign. I'm one of the "believers" but dear god I'm having flashbacks to Kerry's slow demise & hoping the adage about Democrats snatching defeat from the jaws of victory doesn't play out.

Joe Klein w/ Time magazine seems to capture the essence of my political ennui in this week's article Where's Obama's Passion?

The fact that the big "stick it to him" moment of the week has to do w/ McCain not knowing how many houses he has does not instill confidence. Unless they can follow-it up with a whole roster of it's the economy stupid moments then it's worthless. Grrrrrr.

good thinkin' lincoln!

copy blogger is my hero. sometimes, well OK, most of the time. always good comments & suggestions about copy writing, blog posts, usable text, etc.

most recently they had some clever (for this blogging newbie) ideas for managing posts, in particular the frequency of posts. taking advantage of inspiration hits to write 1, 4, 7, 10 posts and keeping them in the queue to cover those times when creativity seems to have vanished on you. simple, practical, easy, non?

ART

for a surly girl, I can't always be glum. Certainly not when it comes to the most perfect baby in the world, my niece, and her upcoming visit to CHICAGO! Thank god for her little baby passport. I wonder if baby mug shots are just as horrific as adults'.

Closing of the American Mind

While pawing through a box of old books I came across this book by Allan Bloom - The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the Souls of Today's Students. Granted the title is a little gloom and doom and it dates from 1987 but I can't help but wonder if the author's premise is much closer to the truth than many would like to believe.

I haven't actually read the book - yet - but it's definitely given me pause and made me consider the fundamental differences between typical American pedagogy and that practiced in other developed nations. Over the past few decades we've seen the steady and disturbing decrease in the ranking of our educational system vis-a-vis these same nations and, apart from the dismal No Child Left Behind, there's been no serious overhaul of the education curriculum for nearly 50 years. What are we waiting for?

P.S. - I find a certain pleasure in the fact that this was my grandfather's; yet another link in my social-political leanings.

The Way of the World

Just finished reading Ron Suskind's The Way of the World. I know it's a ridiculous question but how is it exactly that Bush & Cheney haven't been impeached? Also, how are they not guilty of murder or at the very least manslaughter?

Bottomline: they knew there were no WMD in Iraq before the invasion. Multiple intelligence sources have now gone on the record saying that the information was presented to Bush and he just didn't want to turn the boat around. They flat-out lied to the American public and the world at large about the reasons for invading, with the knowledge that people including American soldiers would die.

How are people not just incensed at this? How is it getting no play in the media? How can anyone even think about keeping the white house in republican hands for another term? I just don't get it.....

Blog Post #1

So I've been a little slow in getting a blog up and running. Started another one awhile back for more "professional" stuff but realized that perhaps my political and personal ramblings needed a different outlet. That said, I have no idea how this little adventure will play out.