My Election Season Savior

I hadn't realized how much better David Letterman makes me feel until last night's show. He always makes me laugh and smile and I think he's incredibly smart and sexy but last night he reminded me how much we think alike.

He's sick of the campaign. He comes up with all the ways that a billion dollars could be better spent.

I want to do what many other countries do. 6 week campaign. No ads. Set amount of money for each candidate.

Anyhoo

Last night he made me feel so much more comfortable with how negative I'm feeling toward our entire process of electing someone. Don't misunderstand me. I hate how this election highlights how divided we are and I detest how the media exploits that.

But I gotta be me.

And snark can be funny. Especially when it's so close to the truth.

I give you the man who wants to be the next Vice President. One heartbeat away from the Oval Office.

Not in a boy band

Not a black rapper

Not a ball player

Not a film director on set

Just a big ole Douche

Take it away Dave

Top Ten Thoughts Going Through Paul Ryan's Mind At This Moment

10. "These weights are 100 pounds each"
9.   "My biceps are cut like taxes for the wealthiest one percent"
8.   "Of course they won't publish this on the most important day of my political career"
7.   "My flaccid smirk will motivate Americans to get in shape"
6.   "What's the worst people will say about me and a photo of a dumbbell?"
5.   "There's no three-day waiting period at this gun show"
4.   "Please, please ask me to take my shirt off..."
3.   "Why are the people giggling?"
2.   "Please, please, ask me to take off my shorts..."
1.   "Maybe now people will take me seriously"

#6 is my favorite 

Thank You Dave



Can You Read Me Now?

My long connectivity nightmare is over.

After days of turn on/turn off, check connection, check plug, my back is on fire.
Why are plugs and outlets and connections always behind heavy furniture that only dust bunnies can reach?

After days of “for quality purposes your call may be recorded” and “the estimated wait time for speaking with a technician is 20 minutes to never”, I figured out the problem on my own.

Not before I spoke to Peter and Gary and Roger and Sean. Together we pinged and dinged and donged their schlongs. They were impatient and humorless. Peter was especially abrupt and I asked if I could please speak to Sanjay back in India; he was smart and funny and polite. Peter was not amused.

I assume he has a degree from MIT and this is all he can find in this economy. Tough shit Peter; learn to be grateful

At some point last weekend my McAfee anti-virus software sent out an automatic update that merged and mushed and mingled with signals from Curiosity on Mars to create a perfect storm of un-connectedness.
I discovered this by having this odd feeling that my firewall might be an issue; it has been in the past. So I started hunting around the internet tubes to look for firewall flaming facts. Using the Atari style desktop made the journey so convenient.

Eventually I put together a scenario that could explain my problems. I found a virtual technician (better than a blow-up sex doll) and together VT and I solved my problems.

And it only took a week!

Now of course the phone pole outside is still leaning and my land line still has unbearable static but that could be because Homeland Security broke the pole when they were installing the wiretaps. So each time I hear the static as I try to find a dial tone I say hi to Chris Christie (my big fat douchebag of a governor) or to the horror of a human who runs around my town putting up Obama as Hitler posters.

Bless their hearts.

I am so glad (and grateful Peter!) to be back. I’ll catch up.

I leave you with this …

Jon Stewart says this photo finally explains to him the Obama that the Republicans see.

Thanks Clint, You Made My Day

Three Men and A Joke

The White House Correspondents Dinner was held this weekend.

The Host

The Donald

The President

Host Seth Meyers (from SNL) told my favorite joke of the evening ...

"Donald Trump often talks about running as a Republican, which is surprising, I just assumed he was running as a joke."

He also went on to say ...

"Donald Trump owns the Miss USA pageant, which is great for Republicans because it will streamline their search for a vice president."

So true, this time they won't need to go all the way to Alaska for a bimbo.

The President had some good lines as well. He addressed The Donald's alleged Presidential run by saying that the billionaire businessman could bring change to the White House, transforming it from a stately mansion into a tacky casino with a whirlpool in the garden.

President Obama congratulated Trump on forcing his birth certificate to be published and then said that

Trump could now focus on the serious issues, from whether the moon landing actually happened to "where are Biggie and Tupac?"

Obama then offered to show his live birth video, which turned out to be a clip from the Disney film, "The Lion King."

Knowing his audience the President said " I want to make clear to the Fox News Table - that was a joke."

You can read more about the dinner
HERE - there are photos and videos too.

The Donald didn't tell any jokes, he just appeared as one and was booed entering the venue.

Invoking Hatred on Inauguration Day

First of all I want to note that I used GOODSEARCH.COM for all my research and it works great so please check the previous post for details and chose a charity and get to doing some searching of your own.

I feel like going back and searching – ‘what the hell was Dianne thinking’.

I was doing tons of research about the Inaugural Invocation and Rick Warren and his ‘church’ and I was struck down numb. Just numb from the sheer amount of crap I had to read to fully understand Rick Warren. I always check all points of view and in doing so had to swallow hard and force myself to read garbage.

So – I had all my quotes ready and my links to sources and then I just set it aside. I went over to my Photo Blog and posted sky shots. I told myself it is the holiday season, just be happy.

Be happy and gay …

Oh wait! That would be a problem. I can be happy. Or. I can be gay. But …

I better not expect to be both.

Cause if I’m gay then I don’t matter. According to Rick Warren I would represent 2% of the population – I assume God checks Rick’s numbers for him – and I would be an “abomination” and 5000 years of goodness tells everyone that I don’t matter.

Why do I care about Rick Warren?

Because President Obama has chosen him to give the Inaugural Invocation. MY President!! The one I campaigned for. The one I donated money I couldn’t afford to part with to. My hope for better times – where ALL people are openly included.

I looked up ‘Invocation’ on wikipedia and a few other sources. Check it out - HERE. It reads like the definition of hocus pocus.

Why does a state ceremony require an invocation? Why can’t we finally live the separation of church and state? Obama said he was devoted to the Constitution – to bringing it back to the days before Bush. He further affirmed that he was dedicated to insuring that the ‘practice of America lives up to the promise of America’.

So he chooses Rick Warren …

John Adams took the oath of office with his hand on a book of US laws, not a Bible. Imagine that. That happened in 1825 and the country lived to tell about it. No religious forces were harmed in the making of that Inauguration.

In researching Rick Warren I came upon many people suggesting Rabbi David Saperstein would have been a better choice to give the invocation. I’m not going to agree since I don’t think there should be an invocation but I will share with you a bit of a speech the rabbi gave back when Bush was trying to ammend the Constitution to tell gay people they aren’t Americans …

The fight for equality is uniquely tied to the history of this nation. From the suffrage movement to the civil rights movement to the gay rights movement minorities in this country have worked tirelessly to achieve equal rights as guaranteed to them by the founding vision of the United States. As long as injustice remains pervasive within our community, we will continue this fight for equality until our dream of equal rights for all is realized.

This Amendment is not about protecting families. Certainly my family will not be hurt by giving states the freedom to recognize the committed relationship of two loving adults. How can two loving adults coming together to form a family harm family values? Are our families and marriages and communities so fragile and shallow that they are threatened by the love between two adults of the same sex? This bill is about targeting scapegoats; and as a people who have been the quintessential scapegoats of Western civilization; we stand with our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters saying that this bill is immoral and unjust.

You can read more HERE

While reading about the rabbi that magic 2% number popped up again. Seems that there are ‘Christian groups’ who think the ‘Democratic party is being turned over to Jews’ and that ‘2% of the population is being encouraged to run the country’ – these comments and many far more offensive were published back when the rabbi was chosen to speak at the Democratic National Convention. I will not link to these sources. They do not deserve further exposure. Unfortunately they are easy enough to find anyway.

Imagine being a gay Jew. I assume hell has a special chamber for them.

Nana would have been heartbroken by the sites I found and their filth. She was always so proud to be an American. And a Jew. And she loved her gay son – my uncle Johnny – with all her heart. She knew. She didn’t care.

I have been so looking forward to the Inauguraton. So proud of the triumph of a man who means so much to me. So happy that someone who is of similar background to my own son became President.

I mentioned this to my son. And he rolled his eyes at me. He told me he doesn’t believe gays should marry either. He doesn’t see the sad irony in one excluded group having no problem excluding another.

Worse than exclusion! Rick Warren targets gay Americans.

I told him then he should believe his own marriage doesn’t count either.

And then I really missed Nana – she would have climbed on a chair and smacked him in the head. Gently of course because Nana believed in loving everyone. Even when they are so clearly misguided.

I guess I’ll need to mute at least one portion of the Inauguration.

My dear friend at PAGAN SPHINX posted about this as well. She is far more concise and eloquent than I am. And my deepest apologies to her for almost not bothering to post about this. I will not let that happen again.

If any one of us is neglected then we are all neglected.

Election Day - Post #2 - Back from Voting

What a comedy we are!

My son got home from work late, my car is in the shop (again). We got there and then Jeff realized he didn’t have his ID. I told all my clients I was NOT working today but of course at least one of them has to have to crisis.

It’s the client named Dick. Ahhhhh irony how I adore thee.

Anyway – I voted. My son voted. I have some photos that I’ll post in a little while.

I got very sentimental and emotional when I hit the button for Barack. Silly – maybe. Human – yes. I am a child of the 60s - I never believed this would happen in my lifetime.

I know I’ve shared this story before but it is the first thing I thought of when I went into the voting booth and saw Barack’s name

It was 1978. My son was 5 and we were buying Christmas Cards at a Woolworths store in downtown Brooklyn.

Jeffrey was touching every card and pretending to read many of them. A little girl maybe a year or so older than him came over. They started to evaluate the cards together.

Jeff: Can I pick out some?
Me: Yes – for your friends at school
Jeff to little girl: Do you go to school?
Little girl: In the morning then Grandma picks me up

Grandma and I smile at each other

Jeff: There are no black people on any of these cards
(yes – more evidence that he is indeed my child)

Little girl (who is also black): There are no black people on anything
Grandma: They make cards for the most amount of people
Jeff: That’s stupid – there are lots of black kids in my school
Me: You’re right but I don’t know what to do about it.
Jeff: Well do something
(he always thought I could control everything)

Grandma and I have a little conversation about there being no dolls for black kids and other assorted inequities. She is a bit awkward with me. Then she asks the question I used to be asked all the time.

Grandma: Is he adopted?
Me: No – I had him the old fashioned way. Ya know black and white people can have sex.
Grandma: I’m sorry …
Me: No I’m sorry, I get this all the time and it’s exhausting.
Grandma: Tell me about it. I guess I just did something racist.

We laugh at our shared place in the world. More people should do that. We’re more alike than different.

Jeff: I don’t want any of these stupid cards – I want cards with black people
(he is also loud like me and has caught the interest of other shoppers)
Jeff: I hate this store
Little girl: Me too

I decided to end the shopping trip.

Jeffrey and I made Christmas cards for his friends. We got construction paper and cut out pictures of athletes and singers and actors and the few black people that appeared in ads.

In 1979 we were in a grocery store together. I was on line and Jeff wandered away as usual. I was looking for him when I hear a small commotion coming from the greeting card aisle.

Jeff comes running toward me with a stack of Easter cards in his hands. “Look, look. All of these cards have black people on them. All of them! And this store doesn’t even have back people in it”

I saw nothing but the look on his face. On his beautiful brown face framed by his huge afro (it was the 70s and I was militant) – he had dark dark brown hair but right along his forehead there was streaks of my color. Looked like a halo.

He holds out all his “black people cards”.

“Can we buy them all” I say yes.

He hands them to me and slips his hand into mine and gives it a squeeze.

He looks up at me – “Isn’t this wonderful”

It was.

I know there will be those who say I voted for Barack because he is black. Well YES, yes I did.

He is also:
White
Intelligent
Inspiring
Calm
Inclusive
Even tempered
Has plans and policies I agree with
Chose a VP that isn't a moron

And my list goes on.

Be back as soon as I get ‘Dick’ off my back – hehehehe – with photos from the polling place.

Scroll down for this morning's post. There are many who shared their voting story in the comments.

it's ONLY democracy when EVERYONE gets to vote

This is just a small piece of a larger article you can read HERE.

I extracted this part because it is similar to something that was going on near me but thankfully it was thwarted before it had the chance to become a full blown cancer.

In New Mexico, two Hispanic women filed a lawsuit last week claiming they were harassed by a private investigator working for a Republican lawyer who came to their homes and threatened to call immigration authorities, even though they are U.S. citizens.

"He was questioning her status, saying that he needed to see her papers and documents to show that she was a U.S. citizen and was a legitimate voter," said Guadalupe Bojorquez, speaking on behalf of her mother, Dora Escobedo, a 67-year-old Albuquerque resident who speaks only Spanish. "He totally, totally scared the heck out of her."

There are reports of people being told they will be arrested at the polls for unpaid parking tickets.

Many have been told to expect violence.

If you are the victim of voter intimidation report it. Stand strong.

If you witness voter intimidation speak up and stand up for your fellow citizens.

You can go here to find out HOW TO REPORT

Virtually all voter intimidation is being aimed at Obama supporters. Groups and individuals using the words Republican and Freedom and American are popping up like in a game of Whack a Mole.

I’ve taken a lot of crap from Republican friends and neighbors and family. I’ve heard all about how unfair I am to poor Sarah. And how un-American I am to not support the POW hero of the ages.

A true American – regardless of political affiliation – would never stand for voter intimidaton.

So Americans. Freedom Lovers. Righteous Citizens.

Stand up for Democracy for Everyone.

On Election Day ...

So we’ve come this far. One week from today we vote. Please vote.

I have loved and learned and been inspired and aggravated and annoyed by all the political posts we have shared.

Regardless of our opinions, no matter who we support – we are all united in sharing our voices.

I can’t imagine sharing this historic Election Day with anyone else but you.

On Tuesday 11/4 I’m going to run a live post.

As stories come up. As results come in.

I’m going to post them.

I hope you will all join me. Through the day and into the wee hours of results morning.

On Wednesday morn (11/5) my lovely friend and co-Diane (she spells it funny) will be hosting a virtual celebration.

DIANE will be posting videos and songs and … go on over there and check it out.

If you would like to be part of the live post chain and the virtual celebration please let me know in comments or in an e-mail

I will link you all in my live post.

Share how it was at your polling place. Tell us what’s happening in your neck of the woods. Or just drop in and chat.

And we can all be part of history together

Ruby Tuesday is HERE

Things the RNC Has Taught Me

Let’s see …

If you’re intelligent – you’re an elitist. Which is actually quite funny. They clearly never looked up the word – it’s a good thing.

If you have a name that rhymes with Osama – you’re a terrorist

If your middle name is Hussein – you’re a Muslim

But wait – I’m confused.

McCain – ties to the IRA?

John – frequents prostitutes?

This is the latest pile of filth out of the RNC. Making its way to a mail box near you.

The party that should be down on its knees begging the American people for forgiveness is at it again. Still.

In other countries this would be considered inciting riot. Provoking civil war.

But hey – it’s America. It’s free speech. It’s business as usual for the RNC.

And once again the American people suffer at the hands of a pack of lying, cheating criminals scared to death that if their guy doesn’t make it into the White House all their secrets will be exposed. All their crimes will come to light.

If you want to read the full text of their mailer you can do so HERE. Or just Google Scum. I’m sure the RNC comes up.

On a lighter note. While trying to keep from imploding between now and 11/4. And trying to remember there is beauty in the world.

Creative Photography and the new Sepia Scenes project are up at THE PHOTO BLOG

And you have until tomorrow (Friday) night to enter this weeks SUNDAY FUNNIES

Peace My Friends. Beware of Your Mailbox.

The Senator's Nana

Anyone who visits here regularly knows how much my Nana meant to me, still means to me. One of my pet peeves about society today is how we treat older citizens as though they were disposable rather than with the honor and respect they deserve – well most of them deserve.

I was sorry to read this morning that Senator Obama’s Grandmother is gravely ill. Just days before her 86th birthday.
I wish her well. She has much to be proud of and I fervently hope she is here with us to see her Grandson become President of the United States.

I have often heard Senator Obama’s life described as a “compelling story” and I suppose that’s true but for me it’s more than a “story”.

The Senator is far closer to my age than he is to my son’s age but I often look at him through the experiences of my son. Being multi-racial is never an easy road. I wish I could say it was easier today than it was 40+ years ago for Barack or 30+ years ago for my son but sadly the events that have unfolded over the course of this election make me realize how far we have NOT come and how capable we are of traveling backwards at warp speed.

Still there is always hope. Hope that the best of us rises to the occasion while the least of us goes away to sulk in a corner.

My son and I understand that family comes in all colors - and shapes and sizes. They worship differently. They love who they love. We honor that in all people as we expect it to be honored in us.

Here is another photo of the Senator with his Grandmother

Nana is all we need to know ...

And Now the Sunday Funnies - Week 3

The Sunday Funnies Contest is back after skipping last week.

And we have news!

Mario the Plumber Is Pissed!!


After years of hard work in cramped video game settings he has lost his plum position to this guy -



Joe the Plumber - a Joey Come Lately who has ripped media attention away from Mario in one swift surge of his plunger.

The tabloids and Toilet Weekly report that Mario is not taking this lying down (under a sink). Allegedly Mario called Joe (or is it Sam?) and left a scathing message on his voice mail. Gaming insiders claim Mario has something on Joe (or is it Sam?) that will shock a nation already reeling from the rumors that Sarah Palin had Jessica Rabbit killed in order to assume her identity.

This week's contest asks ...

What critical and damning information does Mario have on Joe (or is it Sam?)

You can respond through next Friday. Winner will be announced next Sunday. This week's prize will come from my huge pottery and glassware collection - a mug, a vase - hey maybe a bong - decorative purposes only of course.

Have a great week and remember to laugh.

Just a Little Stressed

Friday was the kind of day that just sucks your soul dry and crushes your spirit.

I was anxious all morning about my 1 PM doctor’s appointment. I just had this nagging feeling that my ankle still wasn’t right. Of course anxiety can cause slips of reason and judgment – I had a few close calls with electrical appliances and the stairs until I decided to just be still til 1.

I have to mention here that people who are NOT handicapped but take up all the handicapped parking spots should have their knee caps beaten with a baseball bat. I volunteer to do it. I had to park in the part of the lot that is on a slope and then I had to walk quite a bit out of my way to get around the steep curb. Only ONE of the five cars parked in the handicapped spots had a proper sticker. As I was leaning against the entrance to recover from the shooting pain in my leg two men in their 30s came waltzing out, at quite a healthy clip and proceeded to heave their fat asses into the Escalade parked right where I was standing. As far as I could see their only handicap was being fat lazy fucks with overly active entitlement glands. Our township has one of the lowest crime rates in the county and yet services are being cut due to budget concerns. Imagine the revenue that could be generated if these people would be ticketed. Most of our patrol cars just sit around or float about doing absolutely nothing all day.

The doctor was running late from surgery so I was left in the waiting room with a nice gentleman in his 60s. We talked about how warm it was for October and other small talk. The radio was on and a clip from Bush’s morning statement about the economy was played. My co-waiter chuckled and mumbled “moron” and I laughed and nodded in agreement. I really wanted to leave it there but …

Him: He (Bush) is useless in this crisis.

Me: Seems every time he speaks the market plunges even more.

Him: My 401K lost over 30%

And we went on for a bit about our savings, our jobs and our torn tendons. At some point in the conversation I noticed his cap said McCain/Palin. It didn’t alter my enjoyment of our conversation, it just made me wonder about his very strong criticism of Bush but I was in pain and tired and had no desire to go there.

Him: Things will change in January.

I said nothing.

Him: McCain knows how to put this country back into the hands it belongs in

Me: I thought you were critical of the Republicans?

Him: No – just Bush.

Me: But McCain is Bush to me, he has voted with Bush 95% of the time. I think McCain is smarter than W and certainly braver given his military service but that’s where the differences stop.

Him: I see you listen to the Clinton News Network

Yet another point where I really wanted the conversation to end. CNN hasn’t been called that in so long. I have gone from thinking this man is worth having an intelligent discussion with to wanting to scream.

I say nothing.

Him: I assume you’re voting for Obama.

Me: I am.

Him: And you like Biden?

Me: He wasn’t my first choice but yes, I have a great deal of respect for him.

Him: That’s good; Obama will be whacked within 3 months if he gets the White House.

First of all –whacked!? Really? Old nerdy looking men wearing socks with their Bermuda shorts really shouldn’t think they’re part of the Sopranos cast.

And it was enough. My stomach turned at his smirk and his look of contempt.

I have said a lot of negative things about McCain and Palin BUT I would NEVER relish their death. Actually there are many times when I have a moment’s sadness at how far from dignified McCain has gone. And I had a momentary human feeling for Palin when she asked Biden “can I call you Joe?” – of course I then felt silly when I saw how she used his name.

I just got (struggled) up and walked to the other side of the room.

Here is where I was going to include some video and links to the political and human insanity of the past few days but this is getting long and I’m getting upset and tired again.

My cast came off only to be replaced by a heavier, stronger, tighter cast. It appears that my knee and ankle are engaged in a game of “counter rotation” and so the more I move about the more the knee causes the ankle to re-injure and re-injure. At least I’m consistent.

I will need to see a knee guy
We’ll need to talk about surgery
I will probably need some form of ankle brace for a long time to come

Blah-Blah-Blah

Enough for now.

I am struggling to be upbeat. I had job interviews scheduled to help offset the fact that every single project I had on the books has been put on hold since the last 700 point dip.

The $475,000 AIG execs spent at the spa could fix most of my troubles. And I’d even use a good part of it to help other people.

Enough for now.

My Saturday did get off to a fantastic start!! My phone rang at 2:37 this morning (they knew I was awake since I had just commented on their “drunken whore” photos) and I was greeted with giggles and outrageous fabulosity from the traveling wonder show that is TT, ETK and CHEEKYMONKEY. Cheeky doesn’t even know me but that in no way deterred her from taking part in our full blown cussing, sharing, how inappropriate can we be conference call.

Thank you Ladies!! And I do mean Ladies – for being the fabulous funny fantastic femmes that you are.

Party On! And Keep Me in the Purse!

So far today I have dissolved into tears 7 times, I had a screaming match with my son over having to ask for every single little fucking thing and I have thrown a coffee mug across a room.

I’m just a tad stressed.

I’ll bounce back, always do.

Finola will be back. I just am not in the mood for her this week.

Nana and Other Great Women

I’ve been thinking about Nana a lot. She loved Rosh Hashanah and she took Yom Kippur so seriously. She gave up everything she had, left her family to come to America. I know she missed them terribly and I know she struggled here but she was a proud American citizen.

I just learned that Nana tried to register to vote and was intimidated and ridiculed by the workers at the Board of Elections. They made fun of her broken English; her combination Yiddish/Russian/English and her appearance. Nana had very bad circulation problems and wore heavy stockings to ease the pain and to hide the veins she was so ashamed of. Being so small the stockings always drooped and gathered.

I never thought to ask her why she didn’t vote. I wish I had been older when that happened, I would have had a thing or two to say at the Board of Elections.

Nana hated talking about politics but loved talking about America. I remember when JFK first became prominent. Many of the other ladies would talk about how good looking he was. Nana talked about how “ready to fight” he seemed. She loved Rose Kennedy and would always include Rose and “all the children” in her prayers.

You better not criticize America to Nana! You would get the evil eye. If she liked you, and she loved me, she would say “so go fix it” and she’d insist “everything is possible in America”.

Nana is and always will be the single most forceful woman, person, I have known. I miss her and I always feel her with me. One of the most wonderful moments of my life was when Nana told me I was just like her, an “old soul” who “carried the generations with me in my heart”. And so it breaks my heart that a woman would right now, today, be the single most hateful aspect of this historic election. How she dishonors all the incredible women who came before her.

I’m going to share with you an e-mail I received. It was sent to me and to hundreds of others. I researched the information. You can learn about its origins HERE. Apparently someone read Connie Schultz's words and then saw the HBO movie and put this e-mail together.

WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE.

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

From NanaAndCo

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.

From NanaAndCo

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'

From NanaAndCo

They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

From NanaAndCo

They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote.

For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

From NanaAndCo

When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because- -why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

PAULINE ADAMS

From NanaAndCo

From NanaAndCo

From NanaAndCo

AND EDITH AINGE (middle) AND THEN BERTHE ARNOLD

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.

From NanaAndCo

Conferring over ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution at National Woman's Party headquarters.
L-R Mrs. Lawrence Lewis, Mrs. Abby Scott Baker, Anita Pollitzer, Alice Paul, Florence Boeckel, and Mabel Vernon (standing, right))

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.

The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know.

We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.

From NanaAndCo

Helena Hill Weed, Norwalk,Conn. Serving 3 day sentence in D.C. prison for carrying a banner that said - "Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed."

History is being made.

The e-mail ended there.

Sarah Palin has given me one more reason to vote. I KNOW if she had been around in 1920 she would have been the one who turned the others in.

Nana would never say anything bad about “an American official” but I know she would want me to “go and fix it”. If you still need one more reason to vote!! Then do it for Nana and for all the truly patriotic women who sacrificed for us.

"And Now The Sunday Funnies" (week 2)

We have our first winner! The lovely effervescent BETTY.

To see the clip and all last week’s entries go HERE

In response to what is the cocked head glazed eyed blinking Katie Couric thinking Betty wrote ...

She's thinking, "Just for the hell of it, I think I'll ask that question again."


Your Basket O’CDs awaits Betty. Let me know where to send it.

From CDBasket

This week we need a caption for this.



The contest stays open through Friday night and the winner is announced next Sunday. Next week’s prize is something from my book shelves.

Have a Happy Sunday! I leave you with this wonderful election moment. Thank You Cathy for sending me the link.

Two Photos and a Clip

It is a potpourri of stuff this Tuesday.

Ruby Tuesday - Bye Bye Summer

This photo was taken at the closed off entrance to an outdoor cafe on the shore of the Navesink River. During the summer it is open all week. Now just on weekends.


Please click on over HERE for more RED


Anything Sepia - Local Church

The lovely and talented Chica announced a project last Thursday. I don't even know if it's still going on but I'm going to do it anyway.


This is the church my DIL attends. They have several open house days during the year. It is an incredibly beautiful place. All the wood tones just begged for sepia.



Please drop by CHICA’S BLOG. Even if the project is over her blog is beautiful. She is a wonderful photographer.

Let's Go to the Clip

I was watching my local news and they had a clip of the McCain/Palin ticket at a rally in Ohio. Palin said she was looking forward to the VP debate this Thursday. She was looking forward to meeting Joe Biden - she'd been hearing his speeches since she was in the 2nd grade. I truly thought I had it wrong or the station had clipped out of context. Yeah I know - they never do that.

So I searched and found the clip. It is what she said!!

CNN VIDEO

If you can't take the sound of Sarah's voice the comedic portion of her remarks begin at 1:30

So Sarah Palin has heard Biden speak since she was in the 2nd grade. Wow! Senate speeches in grammar school, that is progressive education. How come she's so stupid?

Was she saying Biden is old? How fantastic is that. Uh Sarah dear - turn around and take a look behind you. No No not at the cheerleader in a pantsuit. No No not at your daughter. Take a look at the creepy guy off to the side. The one who looks like he's pimping out all 3 of you. THAT Sarah is the person you're running with. Do you know how old he is?

It did dawn on me that Palin might be saying all of Biden's speeches are stolen. Or repetitive. If that was her intent Sarah honey, play to your crowd. Those folks behind you yucking it up and yelling out over sporting events just ain't bright enough for sarcasm. Call Tina Fey - maybe she'll give you some pointers.

"And Now For The Sunday Funnies"

I love when George Stephanapaloopy says that – every Sunday morning at about 10:50.

Many of us have been talking about how awful and negative and stressful this political season is. And we’re right. Unfortunately that is what happens – it is part of the process. Some of it is cynical and mean-spirited but some of it comes from passion and caring. When I consider alternative ways of choosing a leader our way always wins.

BUT …

Doesn’t mean we can’t have a bit of fun.

So I had an idea.

Each Sunday I will post a photo or video clip associated with the campaign. I will alternate between the 2 parties.

You’ll be asked to caption the photo or come up with a line that describes what my chosen person in the video is really thinking. One entry per person. Feel free to comment on each others entries and discuss but – one official entry per person so label it for me.

The comments will stay open through Friday night. Sunday morning to Friday night.
On Saturday I’ll collect all the entries and my panel of judges (me) will choose a winner.
The winner will be announced the following Sunday morning when the new contest goes up.

The prize for this week is a basket of CDs. I will post a photo of it when I can get my fat ass and broken foot downstairs. I don’t know what’s in the basket – all of the CDs are brand new. They are duplicates from the music club or duplicate gifts. You’ll get the basket too!

Future prizes will be:
Books
A framed photo
A vase
Crap from my closet

I think that’s simple and clear enough.

So – here’s our first Sunday funny.



In one line – what is Katie Couric thinking as Sarah describes the bailout?

I got this clip from - JOURNEYS WITH JOOD - thank you Jood for once more inspiring me.

"THERE'S NO SUSPENDING DEMOCRACY!"

I never post this close together but this is just too topical to wait. I hope you'll scroll down and say Hi to Cloris Leachman.

The delightful thing about comedy, good comedy, is that it is rooted in truth. The Loves of My Late Night Life proved that Wednesday.

Christopher Webber from Political-Machine describes David Letterman’s monologue -

McCain was supposed to appear on "The Late Show" tonight but canceled at the last minute to (stage a political stunt) focus with a laser-like intensity on the economy. At the taping this afternoon, Dave showed his unhappiness, and his political savvy -
"You don't suspend your campaign. This doesn't smell right. This isn't the way a tested hero behaves." And he joked: "I think someone's putting something in his metamucil.""He can't run the campaign because the economy is cratering? Fine, put in your second string quarterback, Sarah Palin. Where is she?""What are you going to do if you're elected and things get tough? Suspend being president? We've got a guy like that now!"

It's funny cuz it's true.

Here’s the video of Dave’s monologue


Dave went on during his Top 10 List:

Top Ten Questions People Are Asking the John McCain Campaign
10 - "I just contributed to your campaign -- how do I get a refund?"
9 - "It's Sarah Palin -- does this mean I'm Pars'dent?"
8 - "Can't you solve this by selling some of your homes?"
7 - "Hi, this is Clay Aiken. Is McCain single?"
6 - "Do you still think the fundamentals of our economy are strong, genius?"
5 - "Are you doing all this just to get out of going on Letterman?"
4 - "What would Matlock do?"
3 - "Hillary here -- my schedule is free Friday night"
2 - "Is this just an excuse to catch up on napping?"
1 - "This is President Bush -- what's all this trouble with the economy?”

All of this is especially wonderful to me since McCain showed what a douchebag (Hi Brooklyn) he is by pulling this transparent stunt at the 11th hour – as Dave so gleefully points out – again and again. And the only coverage of Caribou Barbie that I caught was her wagging her Mommy finger at the camera and talking about how the whole country is looking to John McCain for guidance. Bitch Please!

The night continues into Craig Ferguson’s show. I quote him in the title.

Dave is never more sexy to me than when he is saying stuff without saying stuff but making his point crystal clear.

Craig is never more sexy to me than when he is indignant and on one of his incredibly articulate rants.

Here is the link to Craig’s monologue. I could not find a version to embed.
Craig at CBS

Ya know – I made myself sick yesterday – physically, mentally, emotionally sick – over how crass and cold and disgusting McCain/Palin and many of their supporters are. This country lies on the brink of a huge upheaval and they are nothing but dead rock in our way. Unfortunately many of the rocks have far more power and money than they are entitled to – greedy bastards.

BUT – there is always laughter. Laughter heals – Laughter brings people together – and Laughter can carry a message far and wide.

Never Under Estimate Women

I've been seeing and hearing and reading a lot from women about Sarah Palin. A lot of it is discouraging to me. As though the mere fact that she is a woman negates the fact that she's a dangerous, medieval nut case who loves to kill innocent creatures and who, as highlighted in a recent interview with Charlie Gibson, clearly doesn't have the brain power she so firmly believes God gave her when he made her superior to the likes of me.

And to think I was troubled by the Hillary supporters who felt so betrayed by my support of Obama. At least they were supporting someone who had the best interests of this country at heart, even if she had her own best interests in there as well.

Palin is just plain dangerous!

I intended to have a relaxing Friday afternoon. Work on my Wordzzle and my Portrait story and elevate my throbbing foot BUT then KENJU had to go and get me all worked up again. I followed her link to HERE and was floored by this powerful post.

If upon visiting the link you have some form of visceral negative reaction please feel free to come back and tell me. Please don't take it out on my links. I try to spread thoughtful discussion through the internet tubes not hate.

Speaking of hate. Remember that doctored e-mail I got? The one that lied about Obama removing flags from his plane. Well my response to that e-mail has gotten me some righteous hate mail. Threats. God Fearing Folks calling me all kinds of lovely names - "left wing whore" and "nigger lover" are two of my favorites.

I also got some lovely responses thanking me for spreading truth in a respectful manner.

I kept all the e-mail addresses of that long chain and I have already begun to send this letter to all of them. I copied the letter over so as not to reveal links. Again - spread love not hate.

When the hate mail comes in this time I will respond as I always do. I will thank them for voicing their opinion and wish them a good day.

Kindness - like Sarah Palin - kills.

if you'd like to see the fact checking regarding Palin's interview with Gibson along with some video clips of her more recent stupidity check out THINK PROGRESS.ORG

And So They Mock

I’ve watched the RNC all week. I have always watched both conventions. I think it is our responsibility as voters to know everything and to listen to everyone.

As I watched I took some notes for what was going to be a wrap-up post about the convention.

I found some facts showing how Obama’s record and accomplishments were being misrepresented
I was going to share what living in Rudy Guiliani’s NYC was really like and how he has no right to the title of ‘America’s Mayor’ and certainly has not earned the right to make jokes about community service.
I wanted to tell you all that according to the Home Décor section of Lowe’s there are 657 shades of white. I think that’s a low number. I saw far more in the crowd of delegates.

The thing is - this has all been covered. All week I have read the most eloquent and well researched posts from many of my fellow bloggers.

So I got to thinking about the one thing about the convention that really bothered me.

It was the mocking.

From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Main Entry: 1mock
Pronunciation: \ˈmäk, ˈmȯk\
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from moker
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1: to treat with contempt or ridicule
2: to disappoint the hopes of

Like bullies who have no other form of communication.
Like dullards who didn’t do their homework and now have no real facts to share.
Like elitists who have nothing but disdain for their fellow citizens.
Like the over-privleged self-entitled who just know they’re superior – they have no real proof of their superiority but it doesn’t stop them from owning it.

The genius that is Karl Rove took the fear of 9/11 and spun it into a wonderful web of control. And so many of us bought into it.

Now the fear-mongers are afraid. More people than ever before are paying attention. More people watched Barack’s speech than ever before. A stadium was filled with thousands of people – all ages, all colors, all types of human experience. All Americans.

Now the fear-mongers are afraid.

They’re so afraid that they steal the words from the very person they mock.

Why? Because his words have power and his words give power to the powerless.

Powerless people with power!?

Now the fear-mongers are afraid.

They promote the value of chauferring children to soccer and hockey games while spitting on the value of community service.

Why? Because they don’t serve their communities. They don’t even know their communities.

They rehash heroic deeds from 40 years ago.

Why? Because they have no new heroic deeds to describe.

They misrepresent and over state their accomplishments.

Why? Because they couldn’t find enough real people to fill 4 days. They couldn’t find enough real Americans to tell stories we could relate to. They couldn’t find enough retired military officers willing to share a stage with them.

Now the fear-mongers are afraid.

The beauty of America has always been idealism in the face of daunting truth.
The beauty of America has always been courage no matter the odds.
The beauty of America has always been our ability to shine a light on the darkest corners.
The beauty of America has always been hope in the face of fear.

And that makes the fear-mongers afraid.

And so they mock.

I took the image from stinkyjournalism.org. I tried to find one wearing lipstick but alas that too is a lie.

While I Respect His Service ...

In the comments on my previous post my buddy MATT-MAN mentions being sick of hearing about McCain's military service. I responded by saying that I am tired of feeling the need to preface anything I say about McCain with "... while I respect his service".

Of course we respect his service and as I said to Matt if that is the ONLY qualification for President then I have at least a dozen guys from the VFW who should be our next leader and I'll gladly drive them down to the White House myself.

See a couple of them can't walk too good and a couple of them can't drive, one of them is blind in one eye, another is deaf. They don't have Cindy's money and McCain doesn't think we should spend "extravagantly" on helping them.

So I will take them to Washington myself, on my own dime!

Each has served, each has suffered and each is a better man ten times over than that war mongering loon who will be gracing our TVs all next week.

DARYL sent me this in my last post. I find it fitting to show this on the day that Obama will speak. It makes for a perfect contrast.

I doubt that the John McCain of years ago would vote for the John McCain of today. So respect his service and let him retire.

SHUT UP! I'm Watching the Convention

As my friend OLDOLDLADY OF THE HILLS mentioned in her last post if you want to actually watch the convention then tune in to C-SPAN.

If you want to watch idiots entertaining morons while congratulating themselves on their coverage then watch the mainstream media. I especially love it when the trains at Union Station drown out MSNBC. Even inanimate objects have had enough.

I loved Hillary’s speech. It was exuberant and resilient. It was graceful and powerful. I have never been a Hillary fan but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect her intelligence and accomplishments. Subtlety and context keep getting pushed further down the line as we become more about sound bytes and snark, as we slide into a nation with the attention span of a gnat. Just because I have supported Barack from day one doesn’t mean I can’t see the value in others.

I’m troubled by but not surprised at the calls for the speakers to be nastier. After all this is entertainment right? This isn’t about catching a country before it implodes. This isn’t about making history. This isn’t about reminding Americans that we’re all one. Of course not! This is about snatching a moment worthy of YouTube. This is about coming up with a headline the NY Post can twist. Really! Where are our priorities?

The most telling comments on the disintegration of our national mind came when yet another roundtable discussed the “tone” Barack Obama wanted for the convention. They mocked his call to unite, they spit out the word “bipartisan” as though it should be bleeped. One asshat said this kind of tone was “good for governing” but “disastrous during an election”. WTF!? Isn’t an election about deciding who should govern? No wonder we’re shocked and disappointed by who we end up with! We didn’t let them speak genuinely and if they did we didn’t listen.

I love a good slogan as much as the next guy. Senator Bob Casey from PA got me and the crowd going with chants of “Four More Months-Four More Months”. The fact that he, as an opponent of abortion rights, was invited to speak when his father was banned 20 years ago wasn’t greeted as a sign of maturity and democracy – it was mocked.

I loved when Hillary referred to her supporters as “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits” and was touched and relieved when she asked the very important question – “Were you in this for me or …” I watched the faces in the crowd and saw many light bulbs go off. That question came from a true statesperson, from someone who knows the bigger picture doesn’t need her face to be in it. The bigger picture needs us.

It was but moments after her speech and the news outlets already had body language experts analyzing Hillary to decide if she meant what she said. They had people on the convention floor looking for the one cynic, the one disgruntled supporter. One reporter cornered Spike Lee and tried and tried to make him angry, to make him say something they could elaborate on for hours. Good Lord if you can’t get Spike to spit out some angry words maybe you need to accept that there aren’t any.

So I’ll continue to tune into C-SPAN and I’ll continue to think about words all on my own, I can do that. I am a grown ass woman who doesn’t need anyone to explain things to her. I’ll drop by the other channels just to see what’s cooking. I’m not above needing to peek at a train wreck. Then I’ll go back to listening and thinking and believing that people might just mean what they say. I’m so grateful that there weren’t 24 hours news shows owned by giant corporations 232 years ago. “The best damn idea for a country” (to quote Craig Ferguson) would never have come to be.