Saturday, November 1, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
November 4th is almost here
Okay, so November 4th is almost here. A part of me is so thankful because that means an end to all the phone calls and ads (especially the negative ones). However, there is still a part of me that absolutely fears that day and what it could mean for me, my family, my friends, my country, and our futures. Some polls have Obama with a 10-point lead and others say a dead-even tie. I guess there is no easy way to know until that fateful Tuesday when the polls start closing and ballots start being counted. For me the outcome is crucial, a change for the better or my sign that Canada is looking like my new home. While I have cast my vote early, my loyal readers (all one of you) may not have, and so I choose to try to sway you one last time before you head to the polls.
While truly in effect no President can “by himself” instill the changes/plans they preach about during their campaign, it is only Congress that can make the changes. The President does become the biggest and most powerful lobbyist in the United States. So now when you look at the plans, ideals, and pasts, who do you really think can enact change? When you look at past committees, college lives, community organizing, etc, who has the greater chance of truly bringing Congress together for bi-partisan decision making?
I could sit here and tout about who was at the top of their class and who was 3rd from the bottom, and talk about who voted with Bush’s ideals the most, but you already know all that. And if you don’t, then I feel really sorry for you to have to make an uninformed decision.
Before I end, I do want to talk about scandals… I will mention one that involves a Presidential Candidate, “The Keating Five”. No need to elaborate, as if you were over the age of 15 in the late 80’s/early 90’s you will remember it, and if not, go ask you parents. Next, a couple of scandals involving a Vice-Presidential Candidate, “Trooper Gate” and “The Natural Gas Pipeline”. Trooper Gate is over done, but I will explain the Natural Gas Pipeline. Here is what the AP uncovered:
• Instead of creating a process that would attract many potential builders, this VP Candidate slanted the terms away from an important group — the global energy giants that own the rights to the gas.
• Despite promises and legal guidance not to talk directly with potential bidders, this VP Candidate had meetings or phone calls with nearly every major candidate, including TransCanada.
• The leader of this VP Candidate’s pipeline team had been a partner at a lobbying firm where she worked on behalf of a TransCanada subsidiary. Also, that woman's former business partner at the lobbying firm was TransCanada's lead private lobbyist on the pipeline deal, interacting with legislators in the weeks before the vote to grant TransCanada the contract. Plus, a former TransCanada executive served as an outside consultant to this VP Candidate’s pipeline team.
• Under a different set of rules four years earlier, TransCanada had offered to build the pipeline without a state subsidy; under this VP Candidate, the company could receive a maximum $500 million.
• “this VP Candidate held firmly to her fundamental belief that Alaska could best serve Alaskans and the nation's interests by pursuing a competitive approach to building a natural gas pipeline," said this VP Candidate’s spokesman Taylor Griffin. "There was an open and transparent process that subjected the decision to extensive public scrutiny and due diligence."
Just have to mention here that these scandals are from the same ticket. And the other ticket… no scandals found. :)
Lastly, one candidate has often been compared to John F. Kennedy. And rightly so there are some striking similarities. He is also a first-term Senator, he is also running on the fundamentals of change during a time our Country needs it, he is young, and he has never served in the military. So in the words of that great leader, John F. Kennedy:
"The world is changing. The old ways will not do... It is time for a new generation of leadership."
Vote for Obama!
While truly in effect no President can “by himself” instill the changes/plans they preach about during their campaign, it is only Congress that can make the changes. The President does become the biggest and most powerful lobbyist in the United States. So now when you look at the plans, ideals, and pasts, who do you really think can enact change? When you look at past committees, college lives, community organizing, etc, who has the greater chance of truly bringing Congress together for bi-partisan decision making?
I could sit here and tout about who was at the top of their class and who was 3rd from the bottom, and talk about who voted with Bush’s ideals the most, but you already know all that. And if you don’t, then I feel really sorry for you to have to make an uninformed decision.
Before I end, I do want to talk about scandals… I will mention one that involves a Presidential Candidate, “The Keating Five”. No need to elaborate, as if you were over the age of 15 in the late 80’s/early 90’s you will remember it, and if not, go ask you parents. Next, a couple of scandals involving a Vice-Presidential Candidate, “Trooper Gate” and “The Natural Gas Pipeline”. Trooper Gate is over done, but I will explain the Natural Gas Pipeline. Here is what the AP uncovered:
• Instead of creating a process that would attract many potential builders, this VP Candidate slanted the terms away from an important group — the global energy giants that own the rights to the gas.
• Despite promises and legal guidance not to talk directly with potential bidders, this VP Candidate had meetings or phone calls with nearly every major candidate, including TransCanada.
• The leader of this VP Candidate’s pipeline team had been a partner at a lobbying firm where she worked on behalf of a TransCanada subsidiary. Also, that woman's former business partner at the lobbying firm was TransCanada's lead private lobbyist on the pipeline deal, interacting with legislators in the weeks before the vote to grant TransCanada the contract. Plus, a former TransCanada executive served as an outside consultant to this VP Candidate’s pipeline team.
• Under a different set of rules four years earlier, TransCanada had offered to build the pipeline without a state subsidy; under this VP Candidate, the company could receive a maximum $500 million.
• “this VP Candidate held firmly to her fundamental belief that Alaska could best serve Alaskans and the nation's interests by pursuing a competitive approach to building a natural gas pipeline," said this VP Candidate’s spokesman Taylor Griffin. "There was an open and transparent process that subjected the decision to extensive public scrutiny and due diligence."
Just have to mention here that these scandals are from the same ticket. And the other ticket… no scandals found. :)
Lastly, one candidate has often been compared to John F. Kennedy. And rightly so there are some striking similarities. He is also a first-term Senator, he is also running on the fundamentals of change during a time our Country needs it, he is young, and he has never served in the military. So in the words of that great leader, John F. Kennedy:
"The world is changing. The old ways will not do... It is time for a new generation of leadership."
Vote for Obama!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Very Important... Please read.
This was written by Eric Johnson, the son of a family a friend. It was published in the Grand Forks Herald on Friday, Sept. 19, 2008.
Avoid 'Tropic Thunder' a cruel comedy
The new movie “Tropic Thunder” is a sad reminder that among all disadvantaged groups in America, the developmentally disabled are unique in the particular brand of prejudice and ridicule they must endure. Even before its release, the comedy drew fire for its treatment of the mentally disabled. I rushed out to see it, as it piqued my interest on several levels. I’m an occasional stand-up comic, a full-time law professor teaching and writing about media law, and my brother is severely retarded.
Ben Stiller stars in the DreamWorks picture as a struggling actor, the high point of whose career is taking on the role of a man with mental retardation. Stiller’s portrayal of the mentally disabled man is an over-the-top caricature played up for laughs — which it got plenty of when I saw the film.
Meanwhile, co-star Robert Downey Jr.’s character makes copious use of the word “retard.” In a line apparently designed to take root as a popular catch-phrase and T-shirt slogan, Downey’s character warns Stiller’s, “Never go full retard.”
I hope most people will recognize the film for what it is: heartless and cruel. DreamWorks and the film’s actors have tried to take the moral high-ground by arguing that the film is an equal-opportunity offender. But that’s not true. For instance, while much of the film’s subject matter plays off of African-American stereotypes, it does so with the foil of a black character, played by Brandon T. Jackson, who points out the bigotry and provides a discourse about it. No such perspective is offered on behalf of the developmentally disabled, who are lampooned with impunity.
Furthermore, while a spectrum of racial and religious minorities fill the ranks of Hollywood shot-callers, the developmentally disabled do not. And, in frankness, they
never will. That’s the nature of this disability and its peculiar curse. So while racial barbs and religious slurs might, in the context of a big Hollywood collaboration, qualify as some form of collective self-mockery, there can be no such excuse when the developmentally disabled are made laughingstocks.
Downey, for his part, defended the film on the basis of the First Amendment. “You know, if I want to protest something because it offends me, that’s my right as an American,” he said at the movie’s premiere. “And it’s also any artist’s right to say and do whatever they want to do.” Co-star Jack Black offered a similar defense. “Obviously, that’s what America is all about,” he said. “If you’ve got something to say, you are free to say it.” We all cherish the First Amendment. Playing the free-speech card in this circumstance, however, is a dishonest way of trying to deflect criticism. The question is not constitutionality; it is civility. The taunts in the film are not illegal, nor should they be, but they are hateful and sickening. Ideals of artistic freedom cannot relieve even the best-paid bullies from moral responsibility for what they say and do. The fact is that even among the various species of hate speech, ridicule of those with retardation is unique in its brutishness. Unlike racial minorities, religious adherents or the physically disabled, those with developmental disabilities cannot well defend themselves with wit and well-crafted retorts. That’s why the arguments of Downey and Black — that everyone has the right to say whatever they want — are especially hollow.
Stiller, the film’s director, star, co-producer, and, along with a collaborator, author of the story and screenplay, took a different tack in dealing with the criticism. “I feel if people see the movie, I’m confident that they’ll get where we’re coming from in the film,” Stiller said. Having seen it myself, I think it’s fair to say that where Stiller comes from is a shallow reserve of material and talent upon which to draw. Stiller’s creation of a developmentally disabled character for “Tropic Thunder” was neither difficult nor clever. In fact, Stiller’s performance is indistinguishable from the antics of the lout we all remember from middle school who never missed an opportunity to point and laugh at the kids getting off the “short bus.”
Here’s hoping moviegoers will think twice before patronizing and praising such sad and dehumanizing fare.
Johnson is an assistant professor at the UND School of Law
Avoid 'Tropic Thunder' a cruel comedy
The new movie “Tropic Thunder” is a sad reminder that among all disadvantaged groups in America, the developmentally disabled are unique in the particular brand of prejudice and ridicule they must endure. Even before its release, the comedy drew fire for its treatment of the mentally disabled. I rushed out to see it, as it piqued my interest on several levels. I’m an occasional stand-up comic, a full-time law professor teaching and writing about media law, and my brother is severely retarded.
Ben Stiller stars in the DreamWorks picture as a struggling actor, the high point of whose career is taking on the role of a man with mental retardation. Stiller’s portrayal of the mentally disabled man is an over-the-top caricature played up for laughs — which it got plenty of when I saw the film.
Meanwhile, co-star Robert Downey Jr.’s character makes copious use of the word “retard.” In a line apparently designed to take root as a popular catch-phrase and T-shirt slogan, Downey’s character warns Stiller’s, “Never go full retard.”
I hope most people will recognize the film for what it is: heartless and cruel. DreamWorks and the film’s actors have tried to take the moral high-ground by arguing that the film is an equal-opportunity offender. But that’s not true. For instance, while much of the film’s subject matter plays off of African-American stereotypes, it does so with the foil of a black character, played by Brandon T. Jackson, who points out the bigotry and provides a discourse about it. No such perspective is offered on behalf of the developmentally disabled, who are lampooned with impunity.
Furthermore, while a spectrum of racial and religious minorities fill the ranks of Hollywood shot-callers, the developmentally disabled do not. And, in frankness, they
never will. That’s the nature of this disability and its peculiar curse. So while racial barbs and religious slurs might, in the context of a big Hollywood collaboration, qualify as some form of collective self-mockery, there can be no such excuse when the developmentally disabled are made laughingstocks.
Downey, for his part, defended the film on the basis of the First Amendment. “You know, if I want to protest something because it offends me, that’s my right as an American,” he said at the movie’s premiere. “And it’s also any artist’s right to say and do whatever they want to do.” Co-star Jack Black offered a similar defense. “Obviously, that’s what America is all about,” he said. “If you’ve got something to say, you are free to say it.” We all cherish the First Amendment. Playing the free-speech card in this circumstance, however, is a dishonest way of trying to deflect criticism. The question is not constitutionality; it is civility. The taunts in the film are not illegal, nor should they be, but they are hateful and sickening. Ideals of artistic freedom cannot relieve even the best-paid bullies from moral responsibility for what they say and do. The fact is that even among the various species of hate speech, ridicule of those with retardation is unique in its brutishness. Unlike racial minorities, religious adherents or the physically disabled, those with developmental disabilities cannot well defend themselves with wit and well-crafted retorts. That’s why the arguments of Downey and Black — that everyone has the right to say whatever they want — are especially hollow.
Stiller, the film’s director, star, co-producer, and, along with a collaborator, author of the story and screenplay, took a different tack in dealing with the criticism. “I feel if people see the movie, I’m confident that they’ll get where we’re coming from in the film,” Stiller said. Having seen it myself, I think it’s fair to say that where Stiller comes from is a shallow reserve of material and talent upon which to draw. Stiller’s creation of a developmentally disabled character for “Tropic Thunder” was neither difficult nor clever. In fact, Stiller’s performance is indistinguishable from the antics of the lout we all remember from middle school who never missed an opportunity to point and laugh at the kids getting off the “short bus.”
Here’s hoping moviegoers will think twice before patronizing and praising such sad and dehumanizing fare.
Johnson is an assistant professor at the UND School of Law
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Perfect...
Okay... this excert came from a Newsweek article written by Sam Harris. I though it captured Sarah Palin and its truthfulness is SCARY.
"The point to be lamented is not that Sarah Palin comes from outside Washington, or that she has glimpsed so little of the earth's surface (she didn't have a passport until last year), or that she's never met a foreign head of state. The point is that she comes to us, seeking the second most important job in the world, without any intellectual training relevant to the challenges and responsibilities that await her. There is nothing to suggest that she even sees a role for careful analysis or a deep understanding of world events when it comes to deciding the fate of a nation. In her interview with Gibson, Palin managed to turn a joke about seeing Russia from her window into a straight-faced claim that Alaska's geographical proximity to Russia gave her some essential foreign-policy experience. Palin may be a perfectly wonderful person, a loving mother and a great American success story—but she is a beauty queen/sports reporter who stumbled into small-town politics, and who is now on the verge of stumbling into, or upon, world history.
We have all now witnessed apparently sentient human beings, once provoked by a reporter's microphone, saying things like, "I'm voting for Sarah because she's a mom. She knows what it's like to be a mom." Such sentiments suggest an uncanny (and, one fears, especially American) detachment from the real problems of today. The next administration must immediately confront issues like nuclear proliferation, ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (and covert wars elsewhere), global climate change, a convulsing economy, Russian belligerence, the rise of China, emerging epidemics, Islamism on a hundred fronts, a defunct United Nations, the deterioration of American schools, failures of energy, infrastructure and Internet security … the list is long, and Sarah Palin does not seem competent even to rank these items in order of importance, much less address any one of them."
"The point to be lamented is not that Sarah Palin comes from outside Washington, or that she has glimpsed so little of the earth's surface (she didn't have a passport until last year), or that she's never met a foreign head of state. The point is that she comes to us, seeking the second most important job in the world, without any intellectual training relevant to the challenges and responsibilities that await her. There is nothing to suggest that she even sees a role for careful analysis or a deep understanding of world events when it comes to deciding the fate of a nation. In her interview with Gibson, Palin managed to turn a joke about seeing Russia from her window into a straight-faced claim that Alaska's geographical proximity to Russia gave her some essential foreign-policy experience. Palin may be a perfectly wonderful person, a loving mother and a great American success story—but she is a beauty queen/sports reporter who stumbled into small-town politics, and who is now on the verge of stumbling into, or upon, world history.
We have all now witnessed apparently sentient human beings, once provoked by a reporter's microphone, saying things like, "I'm voting for Sarah because she's a mom. She knows what it's like to be a mom." Such sentiments suggest an uncanny (and, one fears, especially American) detachment from the real problems of today. The next administration must immediately confront issues like nuclear proliferation, ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (and covert wars elsewhere), global climate change, a convulsing economy, Russian belligerence, the rise of China, emerging epidemics, Islamism on a hundred fronts, a defunct United Nations, the deterioration of American schools, failures of energy, infrastructure and Internet security … the list is long, and Sarah Palin does not seem competent even to rank these items in order of importance, much less address any one of them."
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Political Rants… or something like that
Okay… I have been following the Presidential campaign for some time now. I wish I could up my thoughts in just a few words, but alas that is next to impossible. So here is what I think…
1. McCain… or should I say Mc“trying to separate from Bush”, is somewhat of a joke. Or at least he is making himself out to be a joke. I do not doubt his love for our country. I cannot imagine anyone running for president that has distain for our country. However, in our current economy, he sits back and admits he does not have a clear understanding of economics while at the same time stating that 1- someone who makes $250,000 a year is middle class and 2- doesn’t know how many homes he owns. WOW, he is just so in touch with Americans. He favors nuclear power and the dump in Yucca Mountain, and more drilling for oil in national parks. While nuclear energy might be a solution, I don’t understand that if it is so safe why can it not be kept in the states that produce it??? And… if Yucca mountain is so safe, why does he not want the trucks/trains of waste going through Arizona. Hmmm… sound science my ass. I could seriously go on and on about this man, but I won’t. I will touch on one more thing… I understand that he was a POW during Vietnam. While I completely respect his service and am grateful that he made it home safe, how does being a POW give him presidential experience?
Experience… how do any of these candidates have presidential experience if neither of them have been president before???
2. Sarah Palin… where do I start? I honestly think McCain did not really check into her before he picked her as his VP running mate. I think he saw three things in her… woman, young, and cute. Here is a woman that is against most everything we as women have fought for… the right to choose. Here is a woman that is rallying for taking polar bears off the endangered species list, probably because it is a pelt that she doesn’t have yet. Here is a woman that is her speeches and her life has shown herself to be very vindictive. Did McCain not know that she was under investigation for abuse of power??? I am glad that Obama and Biden have taken the high road about her children. However, her thoughts about family are a little twisted. I do not take issue with her 17 year old daughter being pregnant… that is a family matter. I do take issue with her reasoning to announce it to the world. Why on earth would you announce that your daughter is 5 months pregnant to squelch rumors that your son may actually be your daughter’s? First off… it is a rumor. If you know the truth, who cares. The truth eventually has ways of coming out. Eventually the world would have found out about her pregnancy without your announcement. I think she just added a lot of unnecessary stress to her daughter. I also found her speech at the convention to be self serving… how can anyone take aim at someone else’s community service. Hey Palin – the community and the people that are in it are the ones’ that can effect change.
3. Barack Obama… here is a man that has truly had my respect from the beginning. He chose a path for himself and stuck to it. He has chosen to step away from lobbyists and make a name for himself. He sees the problems with our energy, economy, and more… and tries to come up with plausible solutions. He understands the plight of Americans in the middle class and the poor. I believe he can inflict the change he speaks of… with the help of all Americans. I have spoken to many people from the Baby Boomer generation who remember an election from the past with a candidate as passionate as Obama. This candidate won and unfortunately was assassinated. JFK… I hope and pray that Obama does not have the same ending.
4. Joseph Biden… what a man. I was a bit leery at first by this choice for VP, but the more I hear the man speak the more I like him. He gets want America needs and understands where Americans are coming from. I think he and Obama complement each other well. Where Obama is weak, Biden is strong and vice versa. I was astounded today to hear his stance on abortion. He believes life is begins at conception, but does not believe that he can force his view on others. That is exactly was this country is about. I am glad somebody in Washington gets it.
5. Michelle Obama. Okay, Okay, I know she is not a candidate, but can you imagine her as our first lady? I can… I think she would be great. She is a strong woman, who has worked hard, helped bring two beautiful girls into this world. She has a grace and class unlike any seen in a long time. I think she can be a tough woman yet still keep a demeanor befitting a lady. She proves to the world that a woman can be tough and strong, and not a total bitch.
If you can’t tell by now, I am voting for Obama/Biden. This country needs change and these two I believe are the catalyst we need to start it. I truly believe that McCain would be 4 more years of the last 8 atrocious years we have suffered through. I find it interesting that his party labels him a renegade when he has voted against them 10% of the time. WOW…
So who are you voting for???
1. McCain… or should I say Mc“trying to separate from Bush”, is somewhat of a joke. Or at least he is making himself out to be a joke. I do not doubt his love for our country. I cannot imagine anyone running for president that has distain for our country. However, in our current economy, he sits back and admits he does not have a clear understanding of economics while at the same time stating that 1- someone who makes $250,000 a year is middle class and 2- doesn’t know how many homes he owns. WOW, he is just so in touch with Americans. He favors nuclear power and the dump in Yucca Mountain, and more drilling for oil in national parks. While nuclear energy might be a solution, I don’t understand that if it is so safe why can it not be kept in the states that produce it??? And… if Yucca mountain is so safe, why does he not want the trucks/trains of waste going through Arizona. Hmmm… sound science my ass. I could seriously go on and on about this man, but I won’t. I will touch on one more thing… I understand that he was a POW during Vietnam. While I completely respect his service and am grateful that he made it home safe, how does being a POW give him presidential experience?
Experience… how do any of these candidates have presidential experience if neither of them have been president before???
2. Sarah Palin… where do I start? I honestly think McCain did not really check into her before he picked her as his VP running mate. I think he saw three things in her… woman, young, and cute. Here is a woman that is against most everything we as women have fought for… the right to choose. Here is a woman that is rallying for taking polar bears off the endangered species list, probably because it is a pelt that she doesn’t have yet. Here is a woman that is her speeches and her life has shown herself to be very vindictive. Did McCain not know that she was under investigation for abuse of power??? I am glad that Obama and Biden have taken the high road about her children. However, her thoughts about family are a little twisted. I do not take issue with her 17 year old daughter being pregnant… that is a family matter. I do take issue with her reasoning to announce it to the world. Why on earth would you announce that your daughter is 5 months pregnant to squelch rumors that your son may actually be your daughter’s? First off… it is a rumor. If you know the truth, who cares. The truth eventually has ways of coming out. Eventually the world would have found out about her pregnancy without your announcement. I think she just added a lot of unnecessary stress to her daughter. I also found her speech at the convention to be self serving… how can anyone take aim at someone else’s community service. Hey Palin – the community and the people that are in it are the ones’ that can effect change.
3. Barack Obama… here is a man that has truly had my respect from the beginning. He chose a path for himself and stuck to it. He has chosen to step away from lobbyists and make a name for himself. He sees the problems with our energy, economy, and more… and tries to come up with plausible solutions. He understands the plight of Americans in the middle class and the poor. I believe he can inflict the change he speaks of… with the help of all Americans. I have spoken to many people from the Baby Boomer generation who remember an election from the past with a candidate as passionate as Obama. This candidate won and unfortunately was assassinated. JFK… I hope and pray that Obama does not have the same ending.
4. Joseph Biden… what a man. I was a bit leery at first by this choice for VP, but the more I hear the man speak the more I like him. He gets want America needs and understands where Americans are coming from. I think he and Obama complement each other well. Where Obama is weak, Biden is strong and vice versa. I was astounded today to hear his stance on abortion. He believes life is begins at conception, but does not believe that he can force his view on others. That is exactly was this country is about. I am glad somebody in Washington gets it.
5. Michelle Obama. Okay, Okay, I know she is not a candidate, but can you imagine her as our first lady? I can… I think she would be great. She is a strong woman, who has worked hard, helped bring two beautiful girls into this world. She has a grace and class unlike any seen in a long time. I think she can be a tough woman yet still keep a demeanor befitting a lady. She proves to the world that a woman can be tough and strong, and not a total bitch.
If you can’t tell by now, I am voting for Obama/Biden. This country needs change and these two I believe are the catalyst we need to start it. I truly believe that McCain would be 4 more years of the last 8 atrocious years we have suffered through. I find it interesting that his party labels him a renegade when he has voted against them 10% of the time. WOW…
So who are you voting for???
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Feed Hungry Dogs
This is a great site... everyday that you visit and answer the trivia question (right or worng), 20 pieces of kibble will be donated to feeding homeless dogs. There is a link on the site to feed the cats too...
Simply awesome!
Simply awesome!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Fyodor Dostoyevsky Quote:
"Love the animals: God has given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled"
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Dinky
It is now day 6 with Dinky, my new foster dog. She is absolutely beautiful and still so afraid.
Turns out her story is even more sad than I orginally thought. I thought we were bringing 4 dogs (Oscar, Harry, Pinney, & Dinky) back on Monday because they were not thriving. Nope... Turns out the group that took them in Dublin was going to put them on Death Row, as "their time was up." Talk about harsh...
Actually, the four of them are already Nevada dogs. Sometime in 2007, a lady passed away in Gabbs, Nevada, that had 150 dogs. She came to Nevada from Montana with 30 dogs. She felt that she would rather have the dogs brought to her than dumped in the desert. Very noble... except when she passed it was a difficult situation. Luckily, her landlord and family tried to help out. Her landlord is a great guy. They never released his name, but he was in no hurry for the dogs to leave and from what I hear did not charge rent and even helped to capture some of the dogs. Capture?? Well, the lady had quite a bit of acerage (mostly fenced) but with only one person caring for the dogs, many were afraid of people. Anywho... a group called Best Friends from Utah, oversaw the massive efforts to get all these dogs out of Gabbs. Majority definitely stayed on the West Coast... Arizona, California, Utah and of course Nevada. By the way, the last dog was finally caught in March of this year.
Anywho, all four dogs we brought back are so sweet... of course they all need help in gaining trust in humans again. It was amazing that not a single one was aggressive. Which is surprising since they had just gone through about a 4-5 hour car ride, get to Carson, have their cage man handled and moved, get put right into another cage for the next leg to their final destinations. They were all quiet and calm... and I think happy to be back to their home desert.
The gentleman that brought them to us was awesome. His name is Robin, and he was working with all four of them in Dublin. He was quite upset that the "shelter" lost their patience with these wonderful dogs. He stated that they just need a lot of love and patience. Dogs cannot come around on our schedule... we just have to be patient with them. If he had the space, he would have taken all four... but we saw his pack that made the journey with him... 9 dogs came with him for the ride. All were so great and well behaved.
On day 1, Dinky (aka Annie) spent most of her time on my bed. She even spent the first night on my bed. She must go outside on a leash as she spooks easily and I don't want her climbing the fence. On occasion, I will let her go (with leash on) to have some time to explore, but she cannot be left outside alone.
Day 3 was pretty tramatic for her. It is my fault. She was so calm inside (as long as I was not within 5 feet of her) and just kept quiet under my bed, that I felt she would be okay if I left for a couple of hours. Boy was I wrong... I do not know what spooked her, but my house looked like a tornado hit... literally. The blind in my living room and bedroom were destroyed. Pillows from my coush were everywhere... broken bowls from the counter... it was a disaster. I was so frustrated with myself for leaving her. When I leave now (and when sleeping at night), she is crated... and it seems to work well. I think she feels safe crated.
I have learned a few things...
#1 - when a dog is freaking out, do not talk to them to calm them down. Taking to them only reinforces the freaking out behavior. Instead, just stay calm and let it pass on its own. It is completely out of our nature to not say or do something, but it works. Robin taught me that.
#2 - Without making eye contact, just read to the dog. Keep a calm voice and just let them get used to hearing you. From Robin too!
As I said earlier, it is day six. Dinky is still quite nervous, but she seems to be less afraid of me. I can get closer to her than before and right now, she is even exploring the living room while I am on the couch. I know not to make eye contact and just ignore her and for now that is okay. I cannot wait for the day that she just relaxes and knows that I will not hurt her.
I know she will come around, and that it is just going to take time. My biggest fear for her now is that one day she will find a forever home and she will have to start this process over with a new family. I hope this does not happen. I hope that once she learns to trust me, it will help with the process of transitioning to a new home. Only time will tell...
Below is a picture of her after her bath... it was Day 2 and probably the 2nd most tramatic experience for her. :)
Turns out her story is even more sad than I orginally thought. I thought we were bringing 4 dogs (Oscar, Harry, Pinney, & Dinky) back on Monday because they were not thriving. Nope... Turns out the group that took them in Dublin was going to put them on Death Row, as "their time was up." Talk about harsh...
Actually, the four of them are already Nevada dogs. Sometime in 2007, a lady passed away in Gabbs, Nevada, that had 150 dogs. She came to Nevada from Montana with 30 dogs. She felt that she would rather have the dogs brought to her than dumped in the desert. Very noble... except when she passed it was a difficult situation. Luckily, her landlord and family tried to help out. Her landlord is a great guy. They never released his name, but he was in no hurry for the dogs to leave and from what I hear did not charge rent and even helped to capture some of the dogs. Capture?? Well, the lady had quite a bit of acerage (mostly fenced) but with only one person caring for the dogs, many were afraid of people. Anywho... a group called Best Friends from Utah, oversaw the massive efforts to get all these dogs out of Gabbs. Majority definitely stayed on the West Coast... Arizona, California, Utah and of course Nevada. By the way, the last dog was finally caught in March of this year.
Anywho, all four dogs we brought back are so sweet... of course they all need help in gaining trust in humans again. It was amazing that not a single one was aggressive. Which is surprising since they had just gone through about a 4-5 hour car ride, get to Carson, have their cage man handled and moved, get put right into another cage for the next leg to their final destinations. They were all quiet and calm... and I think happy to be back to their home desert.
The gentleman that brought them to us was awesome. His name is Robin, and he was working with all four of them in Dublin. He was quite upset that the "shelter" lost their patience with these wonderful dogs. He stated that they just need a lot of love and patience. Dogs cannot come around on our schedule... we just have to be patient with them. If he had the space, he would have taken all four... but we saw his pack that made the journey with him... 9 dogs came with him for the ride. All were so great and well behaved.
On day 1, Dinky (aka Annie) spent most of her time on my bed. She even spent the first night on my bed. She must go outside on a leash as she spooks easily and I don't want her climbing the fence. On occasion, I will let her go (with leash on) to have some time to explore, but she cannot be left outside alone.
Day 3 was pretty tramatic for her. It is my fault. She was so calm inside (as long as I was not within 5 feet of her) and just kept quiet under my bed, that I felt she would be okay if I left for a couple of hours. Boy was I wrong... I do not know what spooked her, but my house looked like a tornado hit... literally. The blind in my living room and bedroom were destroyed. Pillows from my coush were everywhere... broken bowls from the counter... it was a disaster. I was so frustrated with myself for leaving her. When I leave now (and when sleeping at night), she is crated... and it seems to work well. I think she feels safe crated.
I have learned a few things...
#1 - when a dog is freaking out, do not talk to them to calm them down. Taking to them only reinforces the freaking out behavior. Instead, just stay calm and let it pass on its own. It is completely out of our nature to not say or do something, but it works. Robin taught me that.
#2 - Without making eye contact, just read to the dog. Keep a calm voice and just let them get used to hearing you. From Robin too!
As I said earlier, it is day six. Dinky is still quite nervous, but she seems to be less afraid of me. I can get closer to her than before and right now, she is even exploring the living room while I am on the couch. I know not to make eye contact and just ignore her and for now that is okay. I cannot wait for the day that she just relaxes and knows that I will not hurt her.
I know she will come around, and that it is just going to take time. My biggest fear for her now is that one day she will find a forever home and she will have to start this process over with a new family. I hope this does not happen. I hope that once she learns to trust me, it will help with the process of transitioning to a new home. Only time will tell...
Below is a picture of her after her bath... it was Day 2 and probably the 2nd most tramatic experience for her. :)
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Almost forgot...
My foster dog Bodie, found a wonderful home. He has his own big yard and two kids to play with... and from what I hear he loves it. And I am sure their spoiling him has a little to do with it. :)
New beginnings for dogs like this make fostering worth it...
New beginnings for dogs like this make fostering worth it...
Me VS the weed eater
Okay... it is a Friday. I am feeling good and looking to mow the lawn. Of course I have to edge around the fence and hence the weed eater comes to play. Everything is going well. I finished about 3/4 of the yard when all of sudden the string thing jams. It does that every so often and I just have to un-jam. I am standing in my driveway and it is resting on the concrete. I go to unplug the eater and somehow hit the power button. It flies along the concrete and hits my foot. Now... most would think that is no big deal. And it really would have been no big deal if I was actually wearing real shoes and socks. But NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... I have to do all my yard work in flip-flops (which I have always done). It ripped up the side of my foot pretty good and bled quite well. Luckily I do not need stiches. Still cannot put a lot of weight on my foot and it is starting to bruise, but lesson learned. Although I have always known I should wear real shoes... it still may not change my habit.
Hey... I am just being honest... or telling it like it is... or something!
Hey... I am just being honest... or telling it like it is... or something!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
"Ketchup"
Okay... so I have not posted in a bit. A lot has been happening, so here it goes:
1. I have become a foster mom to dogs in need of homes. I work with Dog Town Rescue in Carson City. It has been very rewarding. I had my first foster, Macy, for about 9 days. She was a border collie puppy from Death Row in Carlin, NV. Lots of energy, but just a love. My current foster is Bodie (pictured below). Dog Town said I could go to NHS (our local humane society) and take a dog from them, then it would free up a space for them to take one from Reno Animal Services. I picked Bodie because his details said something about not being afraid of him because of his size. Turns out he is just a big love... with mild epilepsy. He has great manners, love kids and cats, gets along with other dogs and loves people. We have an inquiry about him for a forever home, so please keep your fingers crossed and pray that it works out.
2. I have gone back to school. I think I will be an Art major... yeah! I am hoping that I earned an A in both of my classes this semester but only time will tell. Hopefully that time will be by the end of this week. ha ha I took a photography class and had a lot of fun.
3. I took a new position at work, Data Assistant. Although I officially am being paid at my new level, I haven't started it yet. My current boss is a bit in denial. I love my boss, he is a great guy, but I am getting a bit frustrated. He has a lot going on right now, a wife that is sick, one daughter getting married, and the other is having a baby (first grandchild)... and all within the testing and AYP windows. I know his stress level is very high as his attitude towards everyone is showing it. I just hope he quits dragging his feet with finding my replacement... I cannot take his bad attitude anymore.
4. As most know, I suffer from Fibromyalgia. Not fun... but it is starting to look like it runs in our family. Anywho, I work with a guy who has it, that has been able to keep it under control for years now. His secret is a Wellness company called Nikken, has been around since 1975. I have decided to join him in the Wellness Business. I do not know or understand all the technologies, but I can say I am seeing little improvements... like actually sleeping (good sleep) through the night, controling migraines... and I am sure there are more that I haven't truly noticed. I think this may b e the one thing that works for me...and I hope that I will be able to help others.
5. There have been a lot of earthquakes lately in our area... mostly in the Verdi-Mogul area (Somerset). These "swarms" have been happening since February 28th... and on May 1st really started getting worse. That Thursday we had a 4.2 which was felt all over (luckily I did not feel that one). I remember calling a friend at work and she asked me if I felt it, and I joked with her that no I did not feel it and maybe it was car that hit the building. Well it wasn't a car...
That same friend also lives in Somerset and has been feeling these since the start. May 2nd the next day, I had dinner with her and as we were at her house a 3.8 hit. I heard it coming and just as I was going to ask "what was that" the shaking started. She said that has been what it is like. Geez... Well at about 11:40 pm the same night, I am woken up (at my house) because all the dogs got restless and within seconds my house started shaking. Oh man... my nerves left the building. It is very scary being woken up by and knowing you are alone when one of these hits. My friend in Somerset called almost immediately and actually had damage at her house. Turns out this one was a 4.7... yikes! Luckily she had not structural damage like her neighbors, just a lot of broken plates, cups, and wine glasses. I drove to her house that night... we were there until about 2:00 am when we decided to go to my house. In that time we felt about 20-30 aftershocks... and every time you just wanted to run. yikes! I don't think my nerves have ever been as jolted as that night and for the next couple of days. And then... just as I am starting to calm down and think it may be over... on May 7 at about 10:55 pm... another 3.something hit. Had I been alseep I probably would have slept through it, but since I wasn't... even my cat Smoke freaked out. The nerves were on high gear again... hopefully this will end soon. geez...
So that is it in a nutshell... just a quick note, I am still supporting Barack Obama and I hope that Hilary will drop out soon. If not, McCain may gain enough ground to beat Barack. When will the Dems realize that while Hilary and Barack keeping fighting each other, McCain is gaining momentum. geez...
Until next time...
1. I have become a foster mom to dogs in need of homes. I work with Dog Town Rescue in Carson City. It has been very rewarding. I had my first foster, Macy, for about 9 days. She was a border collie puppy from Death Row in Carlin, NV. Lots of energy, but just a love. My current foster is Bodie (pictured below). Dog Town said I could go to NHS (our local humane society) and take a dog from them, then it would free up a space for them to take one from Reno Animal Services. I picked Bodie because his details said something about not being afraid of him because of his size. Turns out he is just a big love... with mild epilepsy. He has great manners, love kids and cats, gets along with other dogs and loves people. We have an inquiry about him for a forever home, so please keep your fingers crossed and pray that it works out.
2. I have gone back to school. I think I will be an Art major... yeah! I am hoping that I earned an A in both of my classes this semester but only time will tell. Hopefully that time will be by the end of this week. ha ha I took a photography class and had a lot of fun.
3. I took a new position at work, Data Assistant. Although I officially am being paid at my new level, I haven't started it yet. My current boss is a bit in denial. I love my boss, he is a great guy, but I am getting a bit frustrated. He has a lot going on right now, a wife that is sick, one daughter getting married, and the other is having a baby (first grandchild)... and all within the testing and AYP windows. I know his stress level is very high as his attitude towards everyone is showing it. I just hope he quits dragging his feet with finding my replacement... I cannot take his bad attitude anymore.
4. As most know, I suffer from Fibromyalgia. Not fun... but it is starting to look like it runs in our family. Anywho, I work with a guy who has it, that has been able to keep it under control for years now. His secret is a Wellness company called Nikken, has been around since 1975. I have decided to join him in the Wellness Business. I do not know or understand all the technologies, but I can say I am seeing little improvements... like actually sleeping (good sleep) through the night, controling migraines... and I am sure there are more that I haven't truly noticed. I think this may b e the one thing that works for me...and I hope that I will be able to help others.
5. There have been a lot of earthquakes lately in our area... mostly in the Verdi-Mogul area (Somerset). These "swarms" have been happening since February 28th... and on May 1st really started getting worse. That Thursday we had a 4.2 which was felt all over (luckily I did not feel that one). I remember calling a friend at work and she asked me if I felt it, and I joked with her that no I did not feel it and maybe it was car that hit the building. Well it wasn't a car...
That same friend also lives in Somerset and has been feeling these since the start. May 2nd the next day, I had dinner with her and as we were at her house a 3.8 hit. I heard it coming and just as I was going to ask "what was that" the shaking started. She said that has been what it is like. Geez... Well at about 11:40 pm the same night, I am woken up (at my house) because all the dogs got restless and within seconds my house started shaking. Oh man... my nerves left the building. It is very scary being woken up by and knowing you are alone when one of these hits. My friend in Somerset called almost immediately and actually had damage at her house. Turns out this one was a 4.7... yikes! Luckily she had not structural damage like her neighbors, just a lot of broken plates, cups, and wine glasses. I drove to her house that night... we were there until about 2:00 am when we decided to go to my house. In that time we felt about 20-30 aftershocks... and every time you just wanted to run. yikes! I don't think my nerves have ever been as jolted as that night and for the next couple of days. And then... just as I am starting to calm down and think it may be over... on May 7 at about 10:55 pm... another 3.something hit. Had I been alseep I probably would have slept through it, but since I wasn't... even my cat Smoke freaked out. The nerves were on high gear again... hopefully this will end soon. geez...
So that is it in a nutshell... just a quick note, I am still supporting Barack Obama and I hope that Hilary will drop out soon. If not, McCain may gain enough ground to beat Barack. When will the Dems realize that while Hilary and Barack keeping fighting each other, McCain is gaining momentum. geez...
Until next time...
Friday, March 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Nevada Caucus
Okay... I went and did my duty. I arrived for the caucus at 10:50 am... was rushed inside the door asked what precint... crazy me I didn't know. Come on... for elections you have to take your ballot with you and your precint is listed. I truly did not know, although now I will never forget... 4037. Since I didn't know I pushed all over the place... each table asked for my address and said I was in theirs... finally at one point, I told a lady that if I couldn't get help I was going to leave. A nice gentleman finally looked me up on his list (instead of asking where I lived) and of couse I was on his for 4037. I was then shuffled into a very long line to wait. Why they put us by the front door is beyond me... but our line finally started to move. I am almost to the table to register and a gal from Clinton's campaign is trying to tell me and the guy behind me that we need to go to the back of the line, because our line at this point placed us right in front of the door. It took a bit of energy to finally tell her that we have been in line and were just moving forward. I register, am handed my card, walk into our room, am handed a survey, fill it out, return it, and find a spot to sit in the "Uncommited" area.
By this time, it is about 11:30 am. I am sitting next to a very nice gentleman, Ben. We are laughing and talking... are approached from a Clinton supporter whom he called "killer." I had to laugh because he told me she offered him cookies and he is a diabetic. His story and the way he told it made me think of my Uncle Larry. It was exactly the reaction he would have had.
At 11:40 am, our "temporary" (who would be come our permanent) precint chair walks in and says they still have people registering and would we mind waiting a bit to get them all in. There seemed to be no objection. Finally, at 12:05 pm our chair, Wendy, says she needs to read a couple of letters... one from Harry Reid and one from Jill Derby. BORING... I think most of the people in the room zoned out.
Our first order of business was to elect a permanent chair... then on to counting the participants... holy moly... our chair asked if their were any ideas on how to accomplish this. I would have thought that there was a formal process but guess what... there isn't. It is decided that two women will go around the room counting and compare notes at the end. Of course one is done in 5 minutes and the other in 20.... geez... Do they have the smae number??? Heck no... one is 153 and one is 141. Then came the what now... after much discussion, it is decided that everyone in the room will stand, count off, and sit when counted off... after another 15 minutes... 146 people are in attendance.
From here out precint chair, says they were expecting only 100 people. They ran out of cards and had to improvise. She also states that as they were registering some new voters they forgot to check and make sure that they were not registering as Republicans and asks if anyone registered as Republican. Thank goodness no one stands up.
It is about 12:40 pm at this time... finally we are told that we will be getting into out first alignment. But first they have to do some math to come up with our viable number... it is 22. Since most everyone sat in their canidits spot when they came in, this first alignment was fairly easy... except for the 4 of us in uncommited. "Killer" from the Clinton campaign came over and started yelling at Ben and myself. First is was just pick someone, you can change your mind tomorrow. I kept telling her that we couldn't change our minds tomorrow and she said of course you can at the primaries... WOW, a volunteer that doesn't know the process. At this point a nice gentleman from the Obama side came over and asked us if we had any questions, I said no... and then Killer started again. This time yelling at us "Do you want to vote what is popular by the young & students or do we want experience?" I asked what experience... in my opinion Clinton has no more experience than Obama. After that comment, I also told her that she lost my vote for Clinton.... and she lost Ben's too. He went to Obama. I was asked by our chair if I was staying put... and of course I was. I had made up my mind to go to Obama, but since this was Nevada's first caucus, I wanted to see what happens and I stayed as uncommitted for the 1st alignment.
At this point, the group totals are counted. Clinton 75, Obama 55, Edwards 15, and uncommitted 1. We are told that uncommitted and Edwards were unviable groups. Our chair comes over to me and tells me that I have to pick Obama or Clinton... I said no I don't. Little old me starts an arguement. For about 10 minutes it is back and forth, I finally tell her that if she forces me to choose I will formally protest our caucus because she is taking my rights away. She finally refers to her rule book and of course, I cannot be forced to choose, my group is unviable and will just not be able to get delegates.
Next comes some group arguement... our chair wanted to start the 2nd alignment, but wanted to check with the people as to how to do it. Someone in the Edwards camp asked if they could just go to the side they wanted with out the campaigning from the sides. This brought on much discussion. Our chair said that each side has a right to campaign so they should be allowed to campaign... then she brought up time... instead of allowing 15 minutes, maybe just 6 minutes instead. Of course she had to ask for objections... at this point everyone is saying just do it already... it is 1:10 pm now. But before we could start another question came up... from Edwards if they go to uncommitted can they just leave. Another 5 minutes of reading the rule book... yes, just fill out sude two of the form, give it to the chair and you can leave.
Again, before we finally start it is stated that we still need to stay to elect delegates. And just before we get to move, a chair from another precint comes in and addresses us... we are getting a bit frustrated and find out that the other 3 precints at Silver Lake finished by 12:40 pm. It is now 1:20 pm.
Okay... move. Turns out that of the 16 who could change their vote... 2 went to uncommitted, 4 to Clinton, and 10 to Obama. Our chair goes around the room to try to collect the last of the cards... people start leaving in droves...
The math is done... Clinton gets 6 delegates, Obama gets 5. People are leaving so rapidly that the discussion of delegates gets squashed. I go to the front of the room to see how to become a delegate. I hear it costs $55 and decide to leave. I truly have no idea who was choosen or how they were choosen. Got into my car and the time was 1:25 pm.
My biggest complaints... it was very disorganized and the volunteers (who have been training since February according to our chair) should have known the rules inside and out. I understand it was the first time for this process and Lessons Learned is going to be a big list and hopefully next time will be much much better... if there is a next time.
Do the results match what would have happened in a primary election... who knows. I saw the totals for attendance... Republicans had 46,000 and Democrats had 119,000. I am sure the total for the Dems was 50 % - 150% more than expected... did everyone have the chance to have their voice heard? That is the ultimate question...
By this time, it is about 11:30 am. I am sitting next to a very nice gentleman, Ben. We are laughing and talking... are approached from a Clinton supporter whom he called "killer." I had to laugh because he told me she offered him cookies and he is a diabetic. His story and the way he told it made me think of my Uncle Larry. It was exactly the reaction he would have had.
At 11:40 am, our "temporary" (who would be come our permanent) precint chair walks in and says they still have people registering and would we mind waiting a bit to get them all in. There seemed to be no objection. Finally, at 12:05 pm our chair, Wendy, says she needs to read a couple of letters... one from Harry Reid and one from Jill Derby. BORING... I think most of the people in the room zoned out.
Our first order of business was to elect a permanent chair... then on to counting the participants... holy moly... our chair asked if their were any ideas on how to accomplish this. I would have thought that there was a formal process but guess what... there isn't. It is decided that two women will go around the room counting and compare notes at the end. Of course one is done in 5 minutes and the other in 20.... geez... Do they have the smae number??? Heck no... one is 153 and one is 141. Then came the what now... after much discussion, it is decided that everyone in the room will stand, count off, and sit when counted off... after another 15 minutes... 146 people are in attendance.
From here out precint chair, says they were expecting only 100 people. They ran out of cards and had to improvise. She also states that as they were registering some new voters they forgot to check and make sure that they were not registering as Republicans and asks if anyone registered as Republican. Thank goodness no one stands up.
It is about 12:40 pm at this time... finally we are told that we will be getting into out first alignment. But first they have to do some math to come up with our viable number... it is 22. Since most everyone sat in their canidits spot when they came in, this first alignment was fairly easy... except for the 4 of us in uncommited. "Killer" from the Clinton campaign came over and started yelling at Ben and myself. First is was just pick someone, you can change your mind tomorrow. I kept telling her that we couldn't change our minds tomorrow and she said of course you can at the primaries... WOW, a volunteer that doesn't know the process. At this point a nice gentleman from the Obama side came over and asked us if we had any questions, I said no... and then Killer started again. This time yelling at us "Do you want to vote what is popular by the young & students or do we want experience?" I asked what experience... in my opinion Clinton has no more experience than Obama. After that comment, I also told her that she lost my vote for Clinton.... and she lost Ben's too. He went to Obama. I was asked by our chair if I was staying put... and of course I was. I had made up my mind to go to Obama, but since this was Nevada's first caucus, I wanted to see what happens and I stayed as uncommitted for the 1st alignment.
At this point, the group totals are counted. Clinton 75, Obama 55, Edwards 15, and uncommitted 1. We are told that uncommitted and Edwards were unviable groups. Our chair comes over to me and tells me that I have to pick Obama or Clinton... I said no I don't. Little old me starts an arguement. For about 10 minutes it is back and forth, I finally tell her that if she forces me to choose I will formally protest our caucus because she is taking my rights away. She finally refers to her rule book and of course, I cannot be forced to choose, my group is unviable and will just not be able to get delegates.
Next comes some group arguement... our chair wanted to start the 2nd alignment, but wanted to check with the people as to how to do it. Someone in the Edwards camp asked if they could just go to the side they wanted with out the campaigning from the sides. This brought on much discussion. Our chair said that each side has a right to campaign so they should be allowed to campaign... then she brought up time... instead of allowing 15 minutes, maybe just 6 minutes instead. Of course she had to ask for objections... at this point everyone is saying just do it already... it is 1:10 pm now. But before we could start another question came up... from Edwards if they go to uncommitted can they just leave. Another 5 minutes of reading the rule book... yes, just fill out sude two of the form, give it to the chair and you can leave.
Again, before we finally start it is stated that we still need to stay to elect delegates. And just before we get to move, a chair from another precint comes in and addresses us... we are getting a bit frustrated and find out that the other 3 precints at Silver Lake finished by 12:40 pm. It is now 1:20 pm.
Okay... move. Turns out that of the 16 who could change their vote... 2 went to uncommitted, 4 to Clinton, and 10 to Obama. Our chair goes around the room to try to collect the last of the cards... people start leaving in droves...
The math is done... Clinton gets 6 delegates, Obama gets 5. People are leaving so rapidly that the discussion of delegates gets squashed. I go to the front of the room to see how to become a delegate. I hear it costs $55 and decide to leave. I truly have no idea who was choosen or how they were choosen. Got into my car and the time was 1:25 pm.
My biggest complaints... it was very disorganized and the volunteers (who have been training since February according to our chair) should have known the rules inside and out. I understand it was the first time for this process and Lessons Learned is going to be a big list and hopefully next time will be much much better... if there is a next time.
Do the results match what would have happened in a primary election... who knows. I saw the totals for attendance... Republicans had 46,000 and Democrats had 119,000. I am sure the total for the Dems was 50 % - 150% more than expected... did everyone have the chance to have their voice heard? That is the ultimate question...
Monday, January 7, 2008
Bubba's boo-boo
My poor little Mikey... cracked a nail and had to have to cut off. There was blood everywhere and he developed a fever. He seems to be doing fine now and is taking some anti-biotics. Poor baby....
Friday, January 4, 2008
CHANGE
Hmmm... I was talking with a friend yesterday about the Presidential race. She brought up a view point about John Edwards that I had never thought of... and since I have never lived through this, probably never would have thought of.
She was surprised and called Edwards the most selfish man... since his wife was diagnosed with cancer he has stayed in the race. I know that his wife said he needs to run and stay in the race, and since she said that I did not think anything of it. Steph brought new light to my eyes. She said it is the most selfish thing a spouse can do. What his wife is going through is horrific and she needs his support.
Now this may seem odd, but even with his wife saying to run, Edwards should have dropped out early to care for her. I don't understand it completely, but I have never experienced a spouse being that sick. Steph has. She stood by her husband during his battle with cancer and thank God he survived. So to hear this information from Steph is something I take in high regards.
I did think about his judgement being impaired by his wife's situation, but I never thought about it like this.
Just some food for thought...
She was surprised and called Edwards the most selfish man... since his wife was diagnosed with cancer he has stayed in the race. I know that his wife said he needs to run and stay in the race, and since she said that I did not think anything of it. Steph brought new light to my eyes. She said it is the most selfish thing a spouse can do. What his wife is going through is horrific and she needs his support.
Now this may seem odd, but even with his wife saying to run, Edwards should have dropped out early to care for her. I don't understand it completely, but I have never experienced a spouse being that sick. Steph has. She stood by her husband during his battle with cancer and thank God he survived. So to hear this information from Steph is something I take in high regards.
I did think about his judgement being impaired by his wife's situation, but I never thought about it like this.
Just some food for thought...
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The NEXT President
Who are you voting for? Hmmm... this could take a while to get out.
I am a Democrat. Mainly because I want to vote in the Primaries, but I am mostly Independent. This year's crop seems beneficial on the surface, but what is going on at the roots. (Good analogy, right??)
I am voting for John Edwards. I liked him in 2004 and still do to this day... although Obama seems decent too (I really like that he flies with the people and doesn't take 'bribes'). I just see one MAJOR obstacle for Democrats in 2008.... REDNECKS. (I cannot say this without sounding bad, but if you really think about it, it is true.)
There seems to be a three-way tie in the Dem race... Edwards, Obama & Clinton. Depending on which state you are in one of them is leading the pack. We may start to see a leader tomorrow in Iowa.
Unfortunately, if Obama or Clinton were to win the Democratic Nomination, I feel we will end up with another Republican President (Very scary thought). Back to the Rednecks... there are too many people in this nation stuck in their ways (stubborn) or just plain don't like change. Enough so that it would be hard for a Black man or Woman to win the White House, not matter how honest, trustworthy, or right they are for the job.
As I said earlier, I am a fan of Edwards, but whether it is he, Obama or Clinton that wins the dems have my vote (and they always have for President).
Let's look at the Republicans... from what I see their front runners are a scab and a Mormon. Oh yeah... there is Rudy, and McCain... LONG SHOTS. I thought Huckabee was a good guy until today... why would you cross a picket line to do a tv show?? And saying that you did not know which show had settled is just wrong... Americans are not dumb. It has been announced for days now that Letterman settled with his writers. No matter what group is striking, one should respect that they are just trying to better their lives. Ironically, Romney being a Mormon is not my concern. We have had many Presidents from many different religious backgrounds and all were able to separate church and state. It is actually his stance (or lack there of) on animals that scares me. The story about his family dog riding in a crate on top of the family car for a vacation is quite jarring. I don't think it matters that it happened 20 years ago. How do you pack an animal to the top of a car?? One can talk about loving animals all they want, but actions speak louder than words.
2008 will prove to be a powerful year in US politics... hopefully everything will work out for us Americans.
I am a Democrat. Mainly because I want to vote in the Primaries, but I am mostly Independent. This year's crop seems beneficial on the surface, but what is going on at the roots. (Good analogy, right??)
I am voting for John Edwards. I liked him in 2004 and still do to this day... although Obama seems decent too (I really like that he flies with the people and doesn't take 'bribes'). I just see one MAJOR obstacle for Democrats in 2008.... REDNECKS. (I cannot say this without sounding bad, but if you really think about it, it is true.)
There seems to be a three-way tie in the Dem race... Edwards, Obama & Clinton. Depending on which state you are in one of them is leading the pack. We may start to see a leader tomorrow in Iowa.
Unfortunately, if Obama or Clinton were to win the Democratic Nomination, I feel we will end up with another Republican President (Very scary thought). Back to the Rednecks... there are too many people in this nation stuck in their ways (stubborn) or just plain don't like change. Enough so that it would be hard for a Black man or Woman to win the White House, not matter how honest, trustworthy, or right they are for the job.
As I said earlier, I am a fan of Edwards, but whether it is he, Obama or Clinton that wins the dems have my vote (and they always have for President).
Let's look at the Republicans... from what I see their front runners are a scab and a Mormon. Oh yeah... there is Rudy, and McCain... LONG SHOTS. I thought Huckabee was a good guy until today... why would you cross a picket line to do a tv show?? And saying that you did not know which show had settled is just wrong... Americans are not dumb. It has been announced for days now that Letterman settled with his writers. No matter what group is striking, one should respect that they are just trying to better their lives. Ironically, Romney being a Mormon is not my concern. We have had many Presidents from many different religious backgrounds and all were able to separate church and state. It is actually his stance (or lack there of) on animals that scares me. The story about his family dog riding in a crate on top of the family car for a vacation is quite jarring. I don't think it matters that it happened 20 years ago. How do you pack an animal to the top of a car?? One can talk about loving animals all they want, but actions speak louder than words.
2008 will prove to be a powerful year in US politics... hopefully everything will work out for us Americans.
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