Political Activism At It's Best

How cool is this?

Makes me proud of my community - yes, it does.

If You're A Prayin' Man/Woman:

Send some prayers to whomever you worship that tonight will not be a repeat of Hurricane Katrina for the Gulf coast. Let's all standby to do what we can if our neighbors in the South need us.

Here is the latest on Gustav.

Article On Why Women Should Vote for Obama

Here is a good blog entry on why women who believe they have control over their bodies should vote for Obama.

And re: Sarah Palin as McCain's VP choice: whatever. Other than her support of gay-rights, we are polar opposites regarding policy. So she doesn't do anything for me. And I don't think it will do much for most (there are always some) women who are die-hard Hillary supporters. Eventually, I think they'll come around and vote for the Democratic ticket.

My Little Girl Is The Issue

She's amazing, my little girl. I drop her at school in the morning and see her everywhere, in everything, during the day. I kiss her goodnight, and my dreams, they are filled with her giggles. Even in the moments when I'm screaming inside to be left alone so I can just write, read, think or even shower, I still ache to stay with her and touch the curve of her cheek. I yearn to smell her yeasty, (sometimes funky) kid smell. And every moment of every day I try to be the best woman I know how to be so she grows up doing the same. Every. single. moment.

I know I've been writing about politics a lot lately. That wasn't my intent when I started this blog, but first with the roller coaster of a primary and now with this amazing nomination today, I've discovered all of my questions about living and raising my wee one authentically are interlaced with what is happening in our political landscape right now. So I can't help but think...and ponder...and comment over and over and over.

And sometimes there are tears. Who would've thought the Democratic National Convention would be to blame? But Monday night when Michelle Obama spoke and again last night during Hillary's speech, tears welled up in my eyes as a blinding point hit home: we are all doing this for our little girls. And as I re-read the text of both speeches, I thought of my little one.

Michelle said this,

I stand here today at the crosscurrents of that history -- knowing that my piece of the American dream is a blessing hard won by those who came before me. All of them driven by the same conviction that drove my dad to get up an hour early each day to painstakingly dress himself for work. The same conviction that drives the men and women I've met all across this country:

People who work the day shift, kiss their kids goodnight, and head out for the night shift -- without disappointment, without regret -- that goodnight kiss a reminder of everything they're working for.

And I admit it, I cried as I thought about what drives me to get up in the morning and leave my daughter in the care of another woman for much of the day. It's the conviction. The dreams I have for her - the hope I have that what I'm doing every day will pave the road for her, whether it's with a college education she doesn't have to pay for by working full-time while trying to get her degree or a doctor she can return to again and again without fearing she will be turned away for being uninsured. I get up and work for my little girl.

Hillary said this:

I ran for President...To fight for an America defined by deep and meaningful equality - from civil rights to labor rights, from women's rights to gay rights, from ending discrimination to promoting unionization to providing help for the most important job there is: caring for our families. To help every child live up to his or her God-given potential.

And again, the tears showed up. Because again, it's all for our little girls. Civil rights, labor rights, women's rights, gay rights - they are all human rights. And we need our children to grow up in a world where human rights are assured. Protected.

And then, Hillary asked this:

Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

And I made this pledge to myself:

Our daughters will not be invisible.

They must not struggle by being paid less for the same work.

They shall not be disrespected with profanity for being strong, smart and independent.

They should not be ill and unable to afford their medication.

They cannot work without having the protection of honest and safe childcare for their children.

They will not be invisible.

That is why I am voting for Barack Obama for President. He is not perfect, I know. His campaign is not flawless. To be honest, I'd rather he were a bit more left of center, a little (or lot) more radical. But he is in this for his little girls - for our little girls. John McCain is not. Just look at his voting record. "No way, no how" will our little girls will be healthier, safer, or stronger in eight years if John McCain wins.

For me, my little girl is the issue. Your little girl is the issue. And you, if you are someone's little girl, you are the issue, too.

And a Democrat in the White House is a start. A good one.

Conversations Going 'Round in My Head

The Realist (TR) v. The Idealist (TI):

TR: VP Choice is Biden - time to get down to business.

TI: But he's not a woman. It would have been nice to have a woman as VP - breaking down that ceiling...I'm kind of surprised Hillary wasn't the choice. And Biden isn't exactly a change agent is he?

TR: But you didn't even like Hillary! Weren't you the one questioning her integrity with the primary campaign?

TI: Well, yessssss. But -

TR: Biden can implement the change. He understands the systems. Knows the resources. And do you really think the ticket could have won w/a man of color and a woman running? There are a lot of people who still don't want one or the other let alone both in the White House!

TI: But that is sooooo wrong. So prejudicial. We should be farther along by now; our paradigm should be shifting more quickly. Wouldn't a joint team prove to the world just how evolved we are?

TR: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, TI. How's the weather in your rosy world? Where is your pragmatism?

TI: Does it always have to be about pragmatism with you? What about truth? Honesty? Ideals? Those matter, too. Must we always sacrifice them for the "reality of the political climate"?

TR: Look, softie, the reality is this: if Obama doesn't win, all of your velvet-edged truths and pristine ideals will be buried. For a really long time. Women's right to choose - gone. Healthcare for everyone - gone. Energy policies that will ensure our country is still standing when your daughter grows up - gone. Conversations about gender, race and class privilege - gone. An administration concerned about social justice - gone. An economy that will allow your parents to retire without having to move in with you - gone. Do you get it now, TI?

TI: Are you sure, TR? I mean it physically hurts, finding this balance. My head hurts. My heart hurts. Is it supposed to be this hard?

TR: Life. Is. Hard. I'm glad you are all jazzed with the songs and energized by Obama's mantra, but seriously - you need to jack yourself up; it's going to be a long few months.

TI: Ok, I'll try. But is Biden kind?

TR: Seriously, TI. Seriously...

Bring It On, Team Dem

The 3 a.m. text message came; the mainstream media scooped the story beforehand; and, now is the time to get behind Obama/Biden '08 if we want to see a different White House next year. I sent my message to Sen. Biden welcoming him (click here to send yours) and told him while I wish he were a woman, I welcome him anyway and look forward to seeing him set the record straight on McCain.

And the coolest thing about this partnership may just be about the women: Jill Biden - a mom, educator, and champion of breast cancer awareness, and Michelle Obama - mom, attorney, and exceptional communicator and listener. They may not win the election for them, but the duo is certainly enough to pacify my personal disappointment over the VP candidate not being a woman.

Lots of other folks are talking about Obama/Biden. I'd suggest a visit to Maria at PopConsumer, Jill at Writes Like She Talks, the folks at Daily Kos , and Jill at Jack & Jill Politics.

Dave Stewart's American Prayer

I needed this today.

A Few Good Links

Well, I've been back at work for a few days now, and I'm a wee bit tired. Seems I've forgotten more than just my administrative password over the last few lazy months. And while I'm simply bubbling over with perspective on many, many newsy items, I just can't sustain the moment to write. So instead, here are a couple good links to great stuff out in the "sphere" today:

Morra Arons How To Talk Democrat and Win

Her Bad Mother: Lost Boy - simply the most amazingly heart-wrenching story

Oh - and help me out. My dad is just waiting to be given a reason to vote for Obama instead of McCain (yes, my dad. the radical gene skipped a generation...but he's tryin'). His main concern (my dad's - not McCain's...haha) is the economy. So Obama supporters, send me some proof that Obama knows what he's talking about when it comes to business and the stock market!

Unfit For Publication: Obama Responds

Attached here is the link to the PDF file the campaign has titled "Unfit for Publication: the investigative report on the lies in Jerome Corsi's Obama Nation".

Read it, and instead of closing your web browser, copy the link and send it on to someone else. This election is much too important to succumb to the filthy lies and to the complacency that Corsi - and the right wing - is expecting from this country's voters.

Let's show them truth and integrity matter.

And here's a link to the Media Matters website which explores in depth the media's responses to this book.

Update: And here is an op-ed from the NY Times questioning just how well we know John McCain.

Beautiful Day

Yes, this was the view from my afternoon on Lake Michigan yesterday with the wee one and husband. Perfect day to have a picnic and say Shalom to our summer experience. Real life arrives again tomorrow.

Let's Hope the Dems Don't Blow It

I hope all Dems, especially Obama's advisors, are paying attention to this article by Michael Moore: How the Democrats Can Blow It...in Six Easy Steps.

Summer's Over

Image by ArunaR via Flickr In six days, my summer will officially be over. The lazy afternoons at the beach, the unhurried puttering in the kitchen, and my hours of reading for pleasure will all cease when I return to work. I'm not complaining. At all. In fact, I dropped by my office yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find myself anticipating going back to work. I've missed the kids - if one can call teenagers kids. And I am stronger than I was when I left for summer break. Sometime in the past few months, I started recognizing myself again. And it feels good.

Engaging in political discussion has invigorated me, and I've felt my beliefs solidify. I seem to be less and less concerned with identifying with the label and trappings of a particular politician or party and more interested in the inherent rights of humanity - and what it takes to make them accessible for everyone. It's felt a bit like shedding too-tight pantyhose and putting on an old, comfy pair of jeans. I can breathe again.


And my writing, while I haven't made any money or written anything publishable, I've come home to that, too. My first instinct is to capture everything in writing. I used to think like that, only to find myself too busy once I got a "real job" and became a wife and mom. But now, I want to write. I need to write. My blog, initially what I thought may be a possible money-maker, has become more of a personal quest to process what is in my head and in my heart. In my soul. I haven't been worried about how often I post, how many readers I have, and I've only been a little concerned with the lack of comments (I mean, does everyone agree w/me or do they just not care enough to comment?). But mostly, it is for me. Because I know no other way to live an authentic life. This is my exploration. My therapy. My growth.

So next week I'll return to the chaos of 250 young women. They'll look to me for guidance on their futures, and for the first time in a long time, I think I'll be able to give it. Not fabricated or forced. For real.

What Is Up With This Human In Politics?

I've been reading about John Edwards and his affair all day. I've gone from incredulous to pissed to sad to resigned. In the height of my pissed-offness, I called my mom to rant. She works for a breast cancer foundation and has what I call a pretty solid moral code, so I thought for sure she would rant right along with me. I mean, Elizabeth was wronged - while undergoing breast cancer treatment. Edwards is a scumbag, right? But no, when I said "I think it makes John Edwards a pretty weak man to cheat on his wife while she has breast cancer", she shocked me by saying "well, it makes him a pretty human man".

Huh. Really? Human? I was unconvinced. So I hung up the phone, contemplated doing some yoga, realized that would take moving so I watched a baseball game on TV instead (STL Cards were ahead and then LOST to the Cubs in overtime...disasters everywhere I'm telling you). And then I started to think about what my mom had said. Are his actions human? And as a potential VP and one time Presidential contender, is he allowed to be human? What does that even mean?

I do know this: we are all flawed. We make mistakes. We hurt people. We fall in and out of love with each other at different times in our lives, and sometimes the bonds we have are strong enough to withstand the ensuing hurricane - and sometimes they aren't. Partnerships are hard, hard, hard work. And we don't always have the perseverance to reach the light in the tunnel unscathed. Sometimes we don't reach the light at all. No one - not the children, the friends, the parents, and certainly not the reporters know what is truth in a partnership. We can only speculate, and 9 times out of 10, we will be wrong. So, I will not speculate on John and Elizabeth Edwards' partnership. I would rather my weaknesses not be explored in public, so I'm not going to explore John Edwards'.

Instead, I'm going to keep asking what is human. And why in today's political sphere, we expect our politicians to be God-like. And I'm going to keep asking myself - and others - what is really important right now. Will John Edwards advocate less for rights of poor people because he had an affair (that we really know nothing about)? I don't think so. Will Elizabeth be less of a role-model if she forgives him? No, definitely not. Was Hillary? I think we've all seen the answer to that in the past 8 years. What matters right now is moving beyond the personal mistakes of our politicians and back into policy and justice for all.

I have to admit, despite my pledge not to scrutinize or speculate, my sadness about this news is lodged somewhere in the region of my heart. You see, I wanted the fairy tale of John and Elizabeth we all read about in the papers and magazines. I really, really wanted them to stay golden. But in real life, the fairy tales don't often exist. We are human after all.

Could McCain Be Worse than Bush?

Oy...here is a link to a video available on the Huffington Post that compiles gaffes and more "oops" by McCain. It's hard to get through, but if you do, you may just agree that McCain in'08 could be worse than what we have now...and that is mighty hard to beat, my friends.

***Note: this is a compilation video, which means there will be clips and quotes out of context. This would be a point I'd make if it were of Obama, so to be fair I'm making it w/the McCain video, too (but I daresay there are an awful lot more clips available of McCain making "oops" than of Obama...but I'm just hazarding a guess here).

Someone Please Explain This To Me

NBC Surpasses $1 Billion In Olympic Ads

Does anyone else find this grossly obscene when considering how many people are struggling in this world right now?

That's all I've got to say tonight.

A Conversation about God, Heaven, and Bowling

During a storm today, my conversation with my four year old daughter and four year old niece went something like this:

Thunder (niece cowers)

Me: It's ok. Do you know when it thunders that means great-Gram and great-Pop are up in heaven bowling strikes?

Niece: Really? I'm not scared anymore! Yippee! What's the lightening?

Me: That is the light from people taking pictures of great-Gram and great-Pop bowling.

Niece: ohhhhh....

Daughter: Are my snails bowling, too? (snails passed on a few months ago) I really miss my snails.

Me: Yep. They are bowling, too.

Daughter: When they went to heaven did God make fix them all better?

Me: Yes, he did. Or she did. We don't really know if God is a he or she.

Daughter: I think the girl God is up in the sky, and the boy God is in the ground. (oh - out of the mouth of babes...)

Me to niece: what about you?

Niece: I don't know how snails bowl...

This Is Why I'm Voting AGAINST McCain

I have friends and family who sometimes seem surprised I'm voting for Barack Obama this November. So for anyone who has ever asked me "why not McCain?", click on this link and see for yourself on the "McCain Oopsapalooza".