only backgroundI'm a wife, mother and grandmother. I'm opinionated. I contradict myself frequently. Most of all, I love my kids. I believe in them. I fight for them. They're weird and wonderful. If you want to know more, here's a bunch of other stuff from my old site.
Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
So, it seems that my home state of West Virginia will be voting for Hillary. I’m not surprised. And it also seems that Obama supporters are explaining this voting trend as a result of West Virginians being inbred, uneducated, racist rednecks. Again, I’m not surprised. As a teen, I was shocked to learn that people in these United States (specifically, on Long Island in New York) didn’t even realize that West Virginia is not simply a section of Virginia but its very own state. And they call us uneducated!
I can’t speak for everyone in this state but as a lifelong resident, I do have an opinion about why this state is backing Hillary. It isn’t about race. It’s about politics. While West Virginia is a “blue state” we’re also more moderate than many other Blue states. The hard working men and women of this state have depended on the coal and steel industries, both of which have been hurt tremendously by environmental issues, which traditionally has been associated with the far left. This isn’t to say that Hillary is not far left, only that she is presenting herself as more moderate than Obama.
It will be interesting to see how my own northern panhandle’s numbers compare to the rest of this state. Many residents in this valley stood outside on a hot July day waiting to shake hands with presidential nominees Bill Clinton and Al Gore in 1992 and heard them promise that they would protect our steel industry and enforce fair trade laws.
They lied. They did nothing about illegal foreign steel dumping.
Now I wonder if this northern panhandle will remember that and hold Hillary responsible for her husband’s betrayal or if we’ll follow the rest of the state. As a side note, neither Hillary nor Bill have dropped by the northern panhandle this past week. Just sayin’.
I’m sure there are racists in this state, just as there are all over this country. There are uneducated people here, just as there are all over this country. Blaming race or lack of education for Hillary’s popularity here, though, sounds like the kind of excuse I’d expect from a whining eight year old, not opposing members of the same political party.
If the Democrats don’t stop calling each other names, they’ll have no one but themselves to blame when they lose the White House. Again.
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Last year I started a blog where I had intended to post my thoughts on things political or social. Mostly, it was to be my take on this world. Problem was, I did that here on this blog prior to that and this is where I always feel most comfortable. Odd how a blog can feel comfortable. Or not.
Anyway, I think I’m going to get back to that other blog. I’ll resurrect it and start posting on it again. I know my political beliefs aren’t always popular but that’s okay. I figure I’ll debate when I’m in the mood and ignore confrontation when I’m not.
You see, sometimes I don’t want to debate an issue but I often feel obligated to do that. I shouldn’t, though. I pay for my web hosting and my domain. If someone wants to disagree with me then they ought to pay for their own web hosting and domain in order to be heard. Which isn’t to say I’ll edit out opposing views, only that I might. Depending on my mood.
So this blog will continue to be filled with home life pondering, like kids and dogs and husband and cars and neighbors and parents and whatever else occupies my mind. And of course I’ll still tell you about the things I’m enjoying or considering buying and ask your opinion whether I need a new coffeemaker or I’m just comparing prices on treadmills. In other words, this blog won’t change. The other blog will get a breath of new life.
Stay tuned for that. Hopefully I’ll get a good post up this weekend.
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Thanks for all the guesses on the Pop Quiz. Mike got it even though he didn’t understand the quiz. Good thing I’m not a teacher because I’m not very good at ’splainin’ stuff. Gary got it after talking “out loud” to himself for a while and Selif was right on the money, without even hesitating! Maybe if I’d made it a contest with a prize, I would have gotten more responses, huh?
And now, the answer.
These are media quotes taken at the time when Franklin D. Roosevelt, yes, the beloved FDR, wanted to bring us into WW2. Critics felt he wanted us to go in to take attention away from (counter-attack, even) what was seen as a “do-nothing domestic policy.” And others felt that it was “just another New Deal” program.
I find it interesting because even now with all the anti-war sentiment, I’m still not sure if we were right or wrong to go into Iraq. In fact, I don’t believe we’ll be able to fully judge our actions for another 40 or 50 years. I do believe that it is only in retrospect, with decades separating us from this war, that we will be able to judge rationally what was right and what was wrong about the decisions that were made.
If this little glimpse back in time is any indication, that belief is correct. I suppose time will tell.
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I tell my kids that they must study history because it tends to repeat itself. Understanding why things happened, how they happened and what mistakes were made can give us an idea of how to proceed today. It’s that whole thing about those who do not pay attention to history are doomed to repeat it.
Anyway, I always find it interesting how very little things really change. I find it interesting that the more things change the more they stay the same. I’ve dug up an old post and I’m re-posting it in two parts. These are quotes from the media; can anyone guess to what time or president they refer? I’ll wait for some guesses. I hope everyone takes a stab at these. Note that I’ve replaced identifying items with [words like this] in the hopes of not giving it away.
“[The enemy] isn’t going to come over and invade us, so we really have nothing to fear here in America.”
“Dictator [President of the United States] wants us to go to war to promote his special interests.”
“The crazy foreign policy in Washington needs to be fixed.”
“I can see nothing for us but ruin if we enter into war.”
“[The President of the United States] is just stirring up war hysteria to take attention off of his [name a failing policy].”
Anyone care to guess the origin of these media comments? What president, what time is being referenced here? Answer in the comments and I’ll post the answer later.
ETA: Since I wasn’t clear, all of those quotes are from the media and all reference the same President and the same time period. One answer with two parts: What president and what war?
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I don’t do a lot of political posts here; this blog is mostly about my family. I guess the 2008 primaries are finally getting to me. I’m not saying there will be regular commentary here on the presidential race or politics in general, but now and then, I just have something to say.
There’s been a bit of internet hoopla over the “oops!” moment when Judge Andrew Napolitano called Stephen Colbert “Bill” (assumingly O’Reilly) when he appeared on The Daily Show. It kind of left Colbert speechless which, of course, is quite unusual. It was a great comedic moment but it took focus away from something the Judge said just before that moment.
Freedom is the default position.
Everything the government does takes away some of our freedom…
That’s why we have a constitution, to restrain the government.
I can’t even add anything to that. It’s got to be one of the most profound statements I’ve heard this entire primary season. It is, simply, the truth.
For those who are interested in the Judge’s thoughts on our government and our nation, his latest book is A Nation Of Sheep
Oh, and if you missed his appearance on The Daily Show, enjoy!
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The only surviving child of President John F. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, has come out in support of Barack Obama.
In an op-ed piece scheduled for tomorrow’s Sunday New York Times, Kennedy endorses Obama as a man who can inspire this generation of voters the way her father inspired previous generations. I know Oprah is important but in the world of politics, I doubt you can get much better than Caroline Kennedy.
I’m not terribly happy with Democrats or Republicans. I call myself a Libertarian because that’s closest to my beliefs. I’ve also come to the conclusion that there will never be a candidate with whom I agree on most issues. My grandmother, however, was a Kennedy Democrat - except that she didn’t like Teddy - and she passed on to me a respect for the former President and great admiration for Jackie. I guess I hold Caroline in high esteem based on her parents.
Anyway, two thoughts came to mind as I read Caroline’s op-ed piece. First, I wonder how women who lambasted Oprah for endorsing a man instead of a woman are going to respond to this. Might this take the negative attention away from Oprah? Will her endorsement be bolstered, validated even, with Caroline Kennedy speaking up?
Second, check out the last paragraph of Caroline’s essay.
I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president — not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.
Not only has Caroline Kennedy chosen to back Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton, but that final paragraph is a shot at former President Bill Clinton. Damn.
Just damn.
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I’m a political junkie. I can watch anyone on TV talking politics whether I agree or not. Sometimes I scream and yell at the TV and sometimes I nod in agreement. I always pay attention and I think for myself. I’ve never heard a political speech that I agreed with 100%. I think that’s a good thing.
When I was finally able to get an internet connection in my small community, I was ecstatic! It took me less than two days to find places online to talk politics. I met people who agreed with me and people who didn’t. Frankly, I learn more from those who disagree with me. They make me think. They make me organize my thoughts and analyze my reasoning. Yeah, my debate opponents are my friends because they keep me on my toes.
If you’re like me and enjoy debating today’s hottest political speeches, have I got a place for you! Seriously, Politics will never be the same.. Rebutter.com lets you read current political speeches and then comment on them. You post your comments and others vote on the ones they like. In the same style as Digg, the highest vote-getters rise to the top to appear next to the very words of the politician.
Rebutter is a social community, again like digg, but this is all about politics. With a presidential election looming, Rebutter.com could easily help to shape the future of our country. While the site is new and the community still small, I can see this site impacting our coming election as the word about it gets out.
If you read about Rebutter.com here and decide to sign up and rebut a speech, please add a comment and let me know. I’ll get over there and vote for you!
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When I check my website stats, I’m always a little surprised to see the phrase “spank my son” somewhere near the top. Those are very short visits because Spank is the nickname of my second son. I guess that isn’t the info people are searching.
So, let’s talk about spanking. It seems to be a hot topic in California right now. A California state legislator is moving to making spanking children under the age of 4 illegal. The thought of this law sends shivers up my spine.
I must mention, first, that I do not advocate spanking. Yes, I spanked my two older sons a few times. No, I don’t think it helped their behavior nor do I believe I damaged them emotionally, psychologically or physically. When I ask them about it now, they laugh at me. They’re 27 and 25 and doing well.
However, the few times I spanked my older boys, I felt awful. In fact, my decision to not spank had more to do with how it made me feel than how it made them feel. The key phrase here is “my decision” because that’s what makes all the difference.
No local, state or federal government ought to be making laws in regard to family matters unless it’s absolutely imperative. The parenting decision to administer a quick, controlled swat to a butt does not rise to the level of abuse and is of no concern to the state. We have given away too many rights; this is just another that the state is attempting to take from us.
There are much better ways to discipline a child than spanking. That doesn’t make spanking a crime. And it certainly doesn’t make parents who spank criminals.
And people wonder why I’m a Libertarian!
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I’ve had a sinus headache all week. I’m out of Aleve Cold & Sinus, the only thing that works on my sinus headaches. Why am I out of it when I was at the store last night? That’s easy. Because our government is messed up. I’ll explain. (You knew I would.)
Aleve Cold & Sinus has that ingredient that is used to make crystal meth. Since the War on Drugs has been lost many times over and has a worse casualty count than VietNam, Korea, WWI and WWII combined, our lawmakers have decided to now infringe upon the rights and freedoms of law abiding citizens. (Oh, wait! That’s nothing new.)
In order to buy my sinus relief medicine, I must now take a ticket to the pharmacy, show my driver’s license, wait while the pharmacist fills out paperwork and then sign the paperwork in front of the pharmacist. According to one pharmacist, there is more paperwork for these OTC sinus meds than for oxycontin! Imagine that!
That’s all very inconvenient but not enough to keep me from my pain relief. Except that there is apparently a pharmacist shortage in this area (according to the sign at the pharmacy window, at least.) So the pharmacy has cut back on its hours of operation. It closed on Saturday at 3. I was there at 5. I couldn’t get my Aleve Cold & Sinus. I am angry. (And in pain.)
I just wonder how many more rights and freedoms we’re willing to relinquish in the name of “our own good.”
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