violetismycolor

Funny Obama Cartoon...

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congratulations, you have a new president...

John and I spent last evening at the Oregon Convention Center (with most of the Democrats in Portland) watching the election returns come in.  We had a great time celebrating and came home with a BIG 'President Obama' sign, which is now sitting in my front window.  Yay for democracy!

We called Adam from the Convention Center, but it was so loud there that we couldn't have a real conversation.  We called Bonnie in Japan as soon as we got home.  She was thrilled to have someone, anyone with whom to discuss the election!

We are still on pins and needles about our Senate race...Jeff Merkley is ahead right now, but the counting goes on.  (Hang in there, Jeff...you're going to win, I just know it!)

I thought John McCain's concession speech was very gracious.  And Barack Obama's acceptance speech was incredibly stirring.  If you watched the news today AND today's Oprah Winfrey show, you would certainly feel that we are witnessing a historic change in our country...a great change. 

One of the things that touches me so much is Barack's so-very-evident love for his wife, Michelle, and for his daughters.  What a fine example he is for families everywhere.

I am so very happy right now.  Maybe it's the pain pills I'm taking for my new root canal, but I doubt it.

just do it...vote!!!

say it ain't so...

Oh, John Edwards...how could you?  What if you had been our nominee?  How could you have so risked the election that affects every American?  How could you do this to your lovely wife and your vulnerable children?  How sad!

political cartoon fave, from the archives...

I do admit that I am very interested in politics.  

As a child, I was a firm admirer of JFK, probably because I came from a Catholic family (Democrats all, at the time) who were enthralled with the idea of a fellow Catholic as President.  I don't think my oh-so-Conservative parents were at all pleased when revelations of JFK's rampant and flagrant womanizing came out.  

We all were very excited about Bobby Kennedy, too...same reasons.  We were devastated when he was shot down, in our very vicinity (we lived in LA County).  I even dreamed of his death, the night it happened...and was quite upset in the morning to hear that my dream had come true.

I worked for a wonderful man named Al Lowenstein on Long Island, who was running to regain his Congressional seat in the Bicentennial summer and fall of 1976.  I was his Finance Director, eventually.  This was HUGE in my life.  

I have been not-a-fan of our current President, and have been an Obama supporter for the past year.  I love this political cartoon that ran in our local paper, The Oregonian, during our primary contest.  It is by our local political cartoonist, Jack Ohman, whose work I generally like.  I had meant to post it then, hence my scanning the Sunday Opinion piece into my computer.  I found it while I was doing some cleanup and organizing on my office desktop today.  Enjoy...

notes from a weekend...

I did not do the Photo Friday assignment, "Glow", though I thought my Illo Friday would have worked for that, too.  I am thinking about doing 'bloom' before we leave but don't know how it fits into my 'panic-ing about what to pack' schedule.  So, we'll see.

For those banner afficionados out there, the new banner for Aries is up.  Again, translations of the poem would be nice since I have no idea what it means.  My hubbie is an Aries, so it would be nice to figure it out.

Speaking of the hubbie, yesterday was our 22nd wedding anniversary.  Un-friggin-believable...  And what did we do for our special day?  We went to a state Democratic political dinner with hundreds of others at the Convention Center.  Well, we were seated right next to the governor, but I am not a huge fan of his (he's not fighting for education dollars, while we close schools, enlarge class sizes, and cut teachers and school days;  he is trying so hard to appease Republicans, with an eye towards his re-election, that his policy decisions are pathetic; don't get me started...)  I wisely kept my mouth shut and made nice.

Anyhoo, the hubbie really wanted to go to this dinner and really wanted me to go with him, so I said that I didn't mind (and I really don't) since I know that our big trip to Scotland, England and France will be all the celebration I need.  But, let me tell you, I made huge points on this one.  Not only did my husband think I was terrific, but our House Majority Leader Kate Brown came up and told me that I deserved a big hug for letting John do this, and so did a ton of other Oregon notables.  And the speeches weren't all that boring...

Bonnie leaves to go back to school around noon, and we are headed out for the Original Pancake House (our favorite breakfast place) for some strawberry waffles, apple pancakes, and dutch babies.  If you don't know about this place...so sorry.  You are missing a fabulous experience.  Now, there are numerous Original Pancake House restaurants across the country, but they are not all the same.  This one IS the actual original, and they do it better than the others...they actually make their own fruit flavored syrups to go over the specialty fruit pancakes and waffles (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, marionberry) and they top them with enormous stacks of real whipped cream.  Okay, so I had better go eat soon, cuz I am making myself crazy over this...

just another day...

Okay, so I heard Bush say that he was going to work to gain the trust of every person who voted for his opponent. Did he notice that at virtually the SAME TIME, VP Dick Cheney was saying that now that they had a mandate, they were going to pursue their conservative agenda?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE? Do they think that we are this stupid...oh yeah, we are this stupid...more than half the country hasn't yet gotten the message that they are a bunch of liars. My definition of that is that they say one thing ("I am a uniter, not a divider") and then they go ahead and do the opposite (go ultra-partisan and totally ignore the other party).

Yes, you are right, I AM angry. I had a nice walk on this very sunny, but cold day. And all I could think about was how pissed off I was.

One of my republican friends actually asked me and another Dem friend, "Just what are you afraid is going to happen now?"

I said, "Are you KIDDING? The environment is going to continue to get screwed, we will continue to be in a war that is being run with total incompetence, the poor will continue to get poorer, people will continue to lose their jobs...must I go on?" She had no answer at all.

Yah, I am angry. And still sad.

so sad...

I can't believe that we are going to have another 4 years of George Bush...I am sad for our country and what direction we are going in.

My husband says that he want to pull ALL our money out of the market because he thinks our economy is going to tank. He is very worried.

Okay, folks, I think we are in for a bumpy ride...

this is a historic day, don't blow it...

I hope you are all doing your duty and voting.

This is your chance to make your voice heard on which way you want to see our great country run.

Do you believe that the war against Iraq is justified? Or not?

Do you believe that giving tax cuts to rich Americans is the way to stimulate the economy? Or not?

Do you believe that we have the right to dictate morality? Or not?

These are pivotal questions for our time. And some of us will be disappointed in the election results and in our fellow citizens. But at least we have the ability to raise our voices and speak.

For myself, I voted weeks ago. This is Oregon, remember? Land of the mail-in ballot. Our household has 4 Kerry votes and 0 Bush votes.

John and I will be at the Convention Center tonight with the Kerry Campaign. We hope to be whooping it up. We may not know for days or weeks. But we will not stop trying to change our country for the better. And I hope you ALL feel the same...

political lunches...

In Oregon, they always serve salmon at these kinds of things, which may sound good to the rest of you but it does get old.

I went to a luncheon (yesterday) for Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (not my district but we want to support her).

House Minority Leader (and hopefully future Speaker of the House) Nancy Pelosi was the featured speaker. I was introduced to her at the end of the luncheon and you know, you always want to say something to make that special connection. So I said to her, "My cousin is Frank Damrell." I figured she would know him, as he was for the longest time VERY active in California Democratic politics. He is now a federal judge.

She threw her arms around me and said, "Then, we are like family because Frank is like my family. I have known him for over 40 years." Wow. Quite a reaction.

I called Frank last night and recounted events and we had a super phone-visit. Then I mentioned that I was going to another luncheon today for Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). And he said that she was a good friend of his, too, and to make sure I told HER that he was my cousin...

Cool...

My kids are thrilled because they think they now have some ins if they want to work in Washington. Yeah for connections. And all I had to do was be born into this family. How weird, though, because my dad was a dairy farmer and all my grandfathers as far back as the beginning of time, I think. Who would have thought that I would know anybody...

Bonnie's awesome take on the debate last night...

My 18 year-old daughter is awesome. She should be working with Wonkette...here's her blog entry about last night's debate:

Join the Army of Compassion or prepare to be smited!
"The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter." --Sir Winston Churchill

I was impressed with the turnout at the debate-watching party in the lounge downstairs. There were about twenty people there, which was actually really good. There were others watching in their rooms, but I like that enough people are interested in politics to actually watch a debate. And they say teenagers today are apathetic. Just some of us are. The stupid ones.

There were definitely highlights in the debate. And since I'm in a chipper mood (see mood icon below), I'm even going to include links. Don't you feel special? And, by the by, this is going to be a tad...what's the word?...partisan. But it's my blog and I can do what I like. I fully acknowledge and accept that Kerry made some mistakes in this debate. But those mistakes did not particularly amuse me. So I'm going to stick with the things that did entertain me. Feel free to respond in the comments. Just watch how hard you bash. And, by the by, the quotes from the debate are from this transcript.

Point #1: Oh, how the flip-flopper flips (and flops!).

Bush tonight: "Gosh, I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden. It's kind of one of those exaggerations."

And, yeah...: "I don't know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."
- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02

"I am truly not that concerned about him."
- G.W. Bush, repsonding to a question about bin Laden's whereabouts,

Point #2: The lies! They lies to me preciousss.

Bush tonight: In all due respect, I'm not so sure it's credible to quote leading news organizations about -- oh, nevermind.
3/13/02 (The New American, 4/8/02

Za? That's it. Just, za? WTF, man? Can't trust leading news organizations? Yeah, the media in this country kind of sucks because it lets politicians slide, but let's not trust the news? That damn liberal bias again or something? It's okay when they agree with you, but if they agree with Kerry (or they report facts that agree with Kerry) they're lying? Whatever man. WTFever.

Point #3: Look, kids! Name-calling is fun! And profitable!

How many times did Bush call Kerry "a liberal senator from Massachusetts"? Really, did somebody count? Because it just gets really fucking annoying. And Kerry is NOT the most liberal senator. He is TOTALLY not more liberal than Kennedy. The report that the Bushies got this from is misleading. Overall, Kerry has the llth most liberal lifetime record (still liberal, yes, but not crazy-liberal). Edwards is middle of the pack. THIS YEAR they were ranked 1st and 4th most liberal because they missed votes that count towards the ranking (separate issue altogether). But since when is liberal a dirty word? I won't go off on too much of a tangent, but I HATE how some people call others liberal like people used to call others commies. As if liberals are somehow out to destroy the nation. WE VALUE THE SAME THINGS (liberty, integrity, charity, responsibility, family, etc). We just have different ideas about how to implement them.

Point #4: Those activist judges, messing up everything.

Last time Bush said he'd never nominate a Supreme Court justice that supported the Dred Scott case. Yeah...I didn't think you would. But this time he tried to phrase the same thing in a slightly less ludicrous way: "What he's asking me is, will I have a litmus test for my judges? And the answer is, no, I will not have a litmus test. I will pick judges who will interpret the Constitution, but I'll have no litmus test...he [Kerry] clearly has a litmus test for his judges, which I disagree with." What was that you said about Kerry earlier, Bushie boy? Something about how you can't hide from your record? How about your record of nominating federal justices with obvious biases and clearly defined world views? Sorry that the links aren't super good, but they're the best I could come up with on short notice. However, they do take away that whole, "I don't appoint justices with preconceived notions of how the constitution should be interpreted!" shtick that Bush is trying to use. It's not that Bush is trying to appoint justices that agree with his views. EVERY PRESIDENT does that. Kerry would do the exact same thing. But Bush is trying to pretend his trend of appointing conservative judges with conservative viewpoints won't continue if he has the chance to appoint a Supreme Court Justice. Hello! It totally frickin' will. He is the ONLY one who won't say it. Even my poli sci book admits that "judges are similar to other politicians in that they have political goals and policy preferences and they act accordingly so that those goals are realized." Really? You don't say! Judges are human? They have biases? And this affects their judgment? Well, gosh darn it, ain't that something. And this whole thing about "activist judges" that Bush mentioned in regards to homosexual marriage? They're doing their JOB. They are interpreting the laws and the constitution. That's what they're paid to DO. Ever heard of Marbury v. Madison? It established the principle of judicial review. That was a case of judicial activism. Think it should never have taken place? What about Brown v. Board, huh? Want to take away THAT bit of judicial activism, Mr. President? And just because they're interpreting the laws and the constitution in ways that you don't agree doesn't mean they're being any more activist than the hundreds of conservative judges across the country doing THEIR jobs.

Point #5: Look at me try to win women over! I'm not a chauvinistic pig, I swear! Look, I married a strong woman!

The last question asked at the debate was stupid. Just...stupid. We are trying to decide on the next leader of the free world. This election is very important. And what was the last question of the last debate? This monstrosity: "All three of us are surrounded by very strong women. We're all married to strong women. Each of us have two daughters that make us very proud.I'd like to ask each of you, what is the most important thing you've learned from these strong women?" Oh. My. God. OMFG. THAT is the question? What about the bloody IMPORTANT issues that are facing this nation? Healthcare? Education? The economy? The working poor? Why not close on THOSE issues? Why the hell did the debate close with a question designed to pander to women voters? Oh look, Jim. This candidate likes strong women. He ain't so bad. WOMEN ARE NOT SO SHALLOW. We care about the ISSUES just as much as men. My criteria for president has never and will never include having a "strong wife". It's a nice bonus, but my criteria is more...I don't know...Will the president keep the country safe? Will the president work with other nations? Will the president look out for the poor and middle class? Will the president take the country in a direction that I want it to go? Lincoln's wife was rumored to have chased him down the street with a butcher knife. Didn't make him any less of a president.

Point #6: My Army of Compassion can crush YOUR Army of Compassion

Nothing much to this point. I just found it really funny that Bush twice mentioned "an army of compassion." To me that sounds like an oxymoron. I get what he was trying to say and all. But army+compassion=so compassionate we'll kill you if you don't save the drowning puppies fast enough. Maybe I should join the Army of Compassion. Then I can be a Soldier of Compassion. This Weapon of Compassion can smite your ass, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Anyways...that was my take on the debate. Not that I have strong opinions or anything. Good night and God bless (as I would say if I were running for office).

Then, Adam wrote this about Bonnie in his blog:

Wowzers

I'm feeling somewhat prolific today, so here's yet another post. My wee sister has a good commentary on last night's presidential debates up. Amusing and insightful. What do ya know? She should work for a network. Then at least they'd have someone COMPETENT.

more debate funnies...

Hail to Wonkette (her remarks in bold type) again for her funny debate coverage:

When asked about the flu shot shortage, Bush said that we are working with Canada to get the problem fixed...message to George Bush: we are trying to get 1 million doses from them and we need 40 million. Here's what Wonkette said:

For vaccines we relied on ENGLAND!!!!?!?!? Wait, where's Canada and their pretend drugs? Come back Canada!!!

He also said that there weren't enough flu shots because of frivilous lawsuits...huh? Here's what Wonkette said:

Awesome: The President hasn't gotten a flu shot. . . because of frivolous lawsuits.

When talking about No Child Left Behind, Bush started into how many jobs it was going to create...again, what???

Wonkette said:

"No child left behind is really a jobs act," says Bush. Of course. And Social Security is really a missile defense program. And Federal Highways funding? Actually a part of the Metric Conversion Office. And clean coal legislation helps you make soup.

When Kerry said that the retention of the Nat'l Guard, Reserves, and Army past their commitments was a back-door draft, Bush said that the soldiers didn't feel that way. What was he smoking before this debate, anyway?

Bush: "The best way to get the troops home is to send them to Iraq." There's not even a joke to make about that.

Operative comment: "Wouldn't it have been easier to just shoot Delay with an assault weapon rather than to try to fight him over the ban?"

Kerry closing speech: "Sound bite, sound bite, aspirational sound bite, hand gesture, God bless America, kill terrorists."

Bush closing speech: "God, education, sound bite, blink, compassion, pander, blink, pander, God, terror, blink, blink, liberty, God, terror, I rock."

Our call: Bob Schieffer wins. Audience loses. French neutral. America safer now that Saddam is out of power. No, wait. . .

Despite Wonkette's funnies, I thought this debate was just dead boring...my God, could it have gone on any longer? They were both terrible! This might just keep people from the polls all together. Of course, some of the questions were just awful, so they didn't have all that much to work with. At least these debates are past us.

They mail out Oregon ballots on Friday. I just can't wait to vote and then get on with my life.

Max Clelland's visit...

That's Ross at Max Clelland's left, and his friend Peter on the right. This was Saturday night's event at the IBEW hall. Ross brought his book 'America' (from Jon Stewart/The Daily Show...hysterically funny btw) but actually listened to Clelland's speech. John had been at 2 events prior in the day with Sen. Clelland and was doing his introductions. He did the intro at this event, too, and surprised Ross by pointing him out. ("That's my son, sitting there. In a little over a year, he will turn 18 and will be eligible to fight in Iraq.") Ross later said that it hadn't even occurred to him that he was getting close to the age to have to register for the draft. Really scared him.

Anyway, Sen. Clelland's speech was very impassioned and definitely got every one fired up to go out and work for the campaign. Ross was impressed and declared the night 'interesting'. Since Ross never really wants to go with us to these sorts of things, we see it as a sign that he is really growing up. He is actually very interested in politics (Thank you, Jon Stewart!) and pays closer attention than he admits. John thinks he may be a poli sci major when he gets to college.

On Wednesday, John Edwards is going to be in town, giving a speech just before the debate. They are looking for a venue to have big screen TV's put in and they are going to try to get several thousand people to show up. Could be pretty interesting to watch the debate with John Edwards and several thousand of my fellow citizens...

The sun has returned and it is over 70 today. I am thanking the weather imps for pushing the clouds back to wherever they come from. It's supposed to be nice at least through Thursday. Fingers crossed...

debate funnies...

I think Wonkette was funny in her debate comments when she wrote:

BREAKING: Canadians want to kill you with their pretend drugs.

I am not sure how you defend enriching pharmaceutical companies and impoverishing Americans by advocating the policies that the Bush Administration has.

I was also amused when Bush said that he wouldn't appoint a Supreme Court Judge who would vote for the Dred-Scott amendment...huh? THAT is his criteria? Okay, so he is against slavery. I didn't realize he still thought this was a viable political issue.

Also, Bush said he was one of the inventors of the Hydrogen car...what the h*## is that? Sounds like something that could explode. But of course, he does consider himself a good environmentalist. Yes, and black is really white. Go ask Alice...

Actually, I thought Bush was stronger than in the last debate but how could he NOT be? He did seem a little overly agressive though. And I thought he was going to take Charlie Gibson, the moderator, DOWN at one point when he wanted to respond to something and Gibson was trying to move on to another question.

Of course, I am biased since I think he is the worst president in our history, and that is saying alot.

Okay, enough politics...going to bed now and hoping to dream of something more appealing...

debate and party...can those things actually be in the same context?

Going out to a "Debate Party"...actually, it kind of makes me sick to watch Bush (and/or his puppeteer, Cheney) distort the truth. Sure hope Kerry does as good a job tonight. I would much rather be home watching 'Joan of Arcadia'...

politics, art, and whatever else...

John was the 'point man' for the Dems last night at a debate party. (Did I tell you that my husband is the head of Veterans for Kerry, here in Oregon?) He really, really wanted me to go with him, so I did. I was kind of hoping to just listen to the debate in the background while I worked on an Illustrator project that I have going. But, I like to support John when he needs me, so off we went. The party was at a house in N. Portland, the press was going to show up, and they had a few munchies for us, but no REAL food. So, we found a nearby Taco Time and grabbed some quick dinner. We met lots of nice people. John got interviewed by KEX radio. Blah, blah, blah. I thought Kerry did very well and that George Bush just wasn't quick enough. So, all good.

This was following the whole afternoon media thing. Oregon Public Broadcasting came over to our house yesterday about noon and they set up cameras, lights, moved our furniture, changed our lightbulbs (too bright), and generally took up lots of atmosphere for more than 3 hours. It is supposed to be aired next week and they said they could get copies of it on DVD, so that we can send copies to Adam and Bonnie.

This morning, I went to the 'Local 14' Art Show...all women artists, all sorts of media. I bought this wonderful etched glass bowl for my mother-in-law, and this mug. There was so much great stuff there, which gave me lots of artistic inspiration. There were these great handmade boxes there that I want to try out.

Also, Mt. St. Helens went off today. Very exciting...18,000 ft. plume, 34 minutes of explosive action...and more to come. Ross was so excited about it. Adam and Bonnie were totally bummed that the mountain went off just after they had left.

had a Kerry house party...

Kerry house parties are a great way to get supporters together and revved up about the campaign. It is also a nice way to get your neighbors to come over and hang out with you. We had a small but very loyal and fun group of neighbors over. My mom-in-law came, too. We heard some very funny stories about wild animals...I will leave it to your imagination...

Ross had his first day of school and came home raving (happily) about his STRUT class. I am not sure what the acronym stands for, but it means that they put together computers. He is very jazzed about this.

Bonnie sent an email last night asking, ever so politely, if perhaps she could hope to receive a care package in the near future. She said that she has only been gone 2 weeks but it feels like forever. I wrote her back and said that I had, in fact, already sent one. Sent her the tracking number and told her that the box appears to be in Illinois right now, and if only she could be in Illinois then she and her package could be together. But since she is in NY state, she would have to wait. She is on pins and needles. Hope it lives up to what she expects...

Tonight, Bonnie wrote an email asking for her resume and high school activity list, since she has an appointment with the career services office. She is probably the very first freshman to go there. She is hoping for a good internship next summer, and bonnie-like, she has set her sights on going after what she wants...look out, Career Services.

Adam is feeling sort of stuck between his old life and the new one that is coming. He no longer has his summer job, all his friends have gone back to school, and he isn't leaving for Scotland till next Thursday. He does have a beach weekend with his Willamette friends planned and that will give him something fun to do for the next few days, anyway.

Wow, I am going to miss that boy.

how many???

So, did anybody notice that there were reportly 50,000 people at the Kerry rally in Portland today? Maybe more. I don't think the count is actually in. There was so much excitement. John went and had a great time. Go Portland!!!

At the same time, Bush was at a school in Beaverton, where he only allowed loyal supporters. Probably had about 1000 people.

The Kerry campaign didn't want to announce the date and time of their Portland visit till the last minute, so Bush wouldn't follow him (again). But literally an hour after Kerry announced his Portland timetable, Bush announced that he was coming the same day. Why does he insist on stalking Kerry? It's kind of creepy, if you ask me.

Democratic thank you party...

Yay, John and I are invited to a 'Thank-you' party by the Democratic Party. It is on Saturday, and we think that Carole King may be there. This is exciting because we have friends, Kitty Swink and Armin Shimerman (both actors), who have written us and said that Carole King is a friend of theirs and we should meet her. This is very exciting because I am a HUGE fan of Carole King's. I have bought her 'Tapestry' album three times, once as a record (remember those), once as a tape, and once as a cd. Now, I have it uploaded to my iPod and love it when her songs pop up in my music mix.

John Kerry is coming to Oregon next week. John (being a vet and organizing the Oregon Vets for Kerry organization) is going to get the Oregon Bus Project to let his group use 'the bus' to follow Kerry/Edwards group around the state to support them. They are going to load the bus with Vets and have them appear with him at events.

By the way, Adam came in last night (at 2 am) and wondered what I was doing out of bed. I told him, 'worrying about you.' He very kindly apologized (good boy) and promptly dashed off to bed. Seems that he and Lynn (the girlfriend) went out to a late movie and he forgot that he would have to drive her home to Oregon City, and then drive all the way home, himself. He gets up early in the morning for work, so ... not so smart. Even geniuses can have no common sense, I guess.