Where I get to have my opinion on politics, because in this country I can Part V

Opinion time again!

McCain has suspended his campaigning so that he could head to DC to work on the economic crisis (although fundamentally our economy is strong he insists). Let's pretend to ignore the fact it took him quite a while to get there and his ads have not stopped running nor have his campaign offices closed. (I'm personally kinda interested in knowing what his definition of suspended is).

Some thoughts by late night shows on this:

As reported by Dave Letterman

As reported by Jon Stewart

As reported by Steve Colbert

Tonight is supposed to be the Presidential Debate. I consider the debate kinda like an interview. I don't get to ask the questions, but I do get to see how the candidates answer more on the spot (vs. reading tele-prompters) together. McCain isn't so sure he can attend tonight.

Would you hire someone who didn't show for an interview, because he was stopping his interview process because something came up on DC and he needs to race back, but yet, it takes him a day to get there?

Would you hire someone who rushes back to his office to work on economics, hence causing tons of money to be wasted on the interview you aren't going to show up for?

Would you hire someone who leaves you on the edge of your chair waiting to see if he is going to grace you with his presence for an interview?

And, because I wouldn't want to give all the attention on this post to McCain, here's some attention for Obama courtesy of Sarah Silverman and The Great Shlep.

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Where I get to have my opinion on politics, because in this country I can Part IV

Yea, I'm back with another opinion. Just can't help not commenting lately!

So, Larry King had a chat with Meghan McCain (John's daughter). Seems she wrote a book about her Daddy. And while interviewing her, Larry asked her what she likes about Sarah:

First of all, she's really chill. She's really nice, really friendly. She's really up on pop culture, which I always respect. She's very smart. She doesn't act entitled, which unfortunately sometimes you get with some politicians. She's just like your average girl, like just a mom. But she's very, very shrewd, very smart. I've heard her talking about issues.

Umm. Gosh. Where to even begin.

Let's start with 'she's really chill.... really friendly'. I don't want my VP to be really chill and friendly. I want them to be knowledgeable and show leadership.

'She's up on pop culture' - that's nice. I'd kinda hope so with 5 kids, but not necessarily a requirement for VP

'She's just like your average girl, like just a mom.'
SHE IS. SHE IS A MOM. I'd like to think you'd say the same about your Dad. That he's like a Dad. But we're not talking about their parenting here! We're talking about the future leaders of our country!

and the clincher: 'just like a mom. But she's .... very smart.'
Wow. Did.she.really.say.that? Like a Mom, but smart. If she were my daughter she would be SO grounded right now.

So, us Mom's aren't smart? We can't be both? Well, at least I guess it's OK for Mom's to be really chill then.

But seriously - I'll be posting some non-political stuff soon. Real soon. Really.

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Where I get to have my opinion on politics, because in this country I can Part III

OK. I'm on a roll this morning. Watch out, hear me roar!

After reading a CNN article I then hoped over to WashingtonPost.com. And saw THIS article.

Seems that McCain/Palin are having a rally right here in my hometown. Tomorrow. During the day. AT A HIGH SCHOOL. And yes, it's a school day.

Superintendent says he's making an exception because it would be a good learning experience. Sure. No argument there. But he also says that "We are not participating in a political rally. We are letting our kids have new educational opportunities."

However, further in the article Fairfax City Mayor (a Republican), who helped plan the event is quoted as saying, "it would be disappointing to me if this becomes a partisan, bickering affair where, if you are for one you are for the rally, and if you are for the other, you are against it."

Ummm...... I thought it wasn't a rally. I thought it was an educational opportunity, therefore, not in violation of how the community uses school buildings during school hours. So, is it a rally or not. Personally, I think that with 56 days left till election, anywhere McCain/Palin go to speak to a group of people would be a rally. I highly doubt they'll not be campaigning. Come to think of it, maybe they won't. Maybe they'll talk about how well abstinence works to a bunch of high schoolers.

But, back to the real topic. The Fairfax City mayor's argument is that Obama and his campaign stopped in Fairfax over the summer. At Robinson Secondary School. However, his event was held during the summer, at night time (I believe). Yes, there were students in the building having other activities held there. But those were activities they had signed up for. This was NOT during a school day.

I guess we all know who the Mayor of Fairfax City and the Superindent of Fairfax want elected.

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UPDATE
Washingtonpost.com is reporting the place for the McCain/Palin rally has now been changed.

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Where I get to have my opinion on politics, because in this country I can Part II

There's this clip going around on YouTube (well, there's lots of clips, but now I'm getting sidetracked). So anyway, this clip inparticular is making its way around lots a few places now, including CNN.

And, (like the title of this post says), I've got an opinion on this one.

You see, originally I was thinking of writing a post about how she is now the "guardian of the nation's disabled children" . I'm also wondering is she will soon become the guardian of the nation's children born less than 9 months before their parents get married, if they do at all.

But then, last night I saw this video. And I just had to comment on it.

So, back to this video. (you'll have to excuse me, I'm not real organized this morning). In the video she is quoted as saying "Pray for our military men and women who are striving do to what is right. Also for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending them out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for -- that there is a plan, and that plan is God's plan."

Let's think about this last part:
on a task that is from God.......that there is a plan, and that plan is God's plan

Seems to me I've heard this line of thinking before. Let me think. Where was it..... OH YEA!! How could I not remember, especially with the anniversary of 9-11 approaching so fast.

A terrorist. Don't terrorist's think this way in their justification of their violent behavior?


And this is completely aside the fact you are NOT supposed to mix church and state. Of course, she is speaking at a church, but she is talking about state stuff. As evidenced by this quote:

Her campaign says she doesn't mix her faith with government business. But Palin did ask her audience to pray for a $30 billion natural gas pipeline she is on a mission to build in Alaska. In the video Palin says, "I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas pipeline built. So pray for that ... I can do my job there in developing my natural resources. But all of that doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's heart is not good with God."

Let's see. If one prays hard enough, one can get stuff done through government. And, if something doesn't get passed, it just may be because the people's hearts aren't good with God?

And she might become the VP of our country? What horror movie have I become part of? I mean really! The folks of this country are seriously considering electing someone with this mindset?

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Where I get to have my opinion on politics, because in this country I can

I've never been one into politics. I mean, I vote and find out what the candidates platforms are, but I don't get into politics. But this year has been different. Thanks to my new blogging friends I've been addicted to it. I've watched the conventions. I've twittered about them with my tweeps. I've read lots of posts commenting on the issues. I've stayed up late to watch The Daily Show (because quite frankly, I think he's got the best news show around).

And this year, I'm going to comment, out loud, in public, about my opinions. Because I can. Because, like you, I'm just Plain Jane Mom, working, raising a family, and trying to get one step ahead. But my opinion counts. Especially when I vote on Election Day. No, I haven't studied politics. And I may not be correct on all the topics. But that's OK. I'm learning.

I also think this election is historic for some many reasons. To have 2 women, one on each side, be so prominent in this election. To have a minority be on the ticket. To have had one party in office dominating it for so long. To have a son in upper elementary school to talk about politics to.

And as much as I so admire a woman for being able to balance such a high-powered job and a family, and as much as the feminine in me would love to see a female in such a high-powered job. She just isn't the gal for me. (And truthfully, her being a Republican was actually enough for me). But because she is a woman, a Mom, I feel that maybe I should be able to relate to her better. We both work. We both have kids. In fact, we both have kids with special needs. But I just don't relate to her.

You see. We aren't supposed to judge her kids. Yet, she keeps throwing her special needs child and her son going to Iraq into her campaigning. Both are important issues in this campaign. The war in Iraq, terrorists and education. Yet are we supposed to ignore the fact that her daughter is pregnant? It's considered unfair to bring this up? I don't think so. She doesn't get to pick which of her kids she can promote for her causes. Her platform and religion promotes abstinence, including not teaching about birth control in the schools. Her platform supports a ban on ALL abortion. Just because abortion wasn't an option or choice in her family doesn't mean it should be in mine. I think Jon Stewart, in his interview with Newt Gingrich last night, summed it up for me:

"She would veto abortion for women even in the event of being raped.....Respect my families ability to make this decision, and elect me so I can keep your family from having the same opportunity"



And I don't like how now the Republicans are talking about needing change. That was the Democrats phrase. And change? They are Republicans, which has been in leadership for the past 8 years. If they change how things are run, are they going to become Democrats? Because by saying the gov needs change, when you are the party that has been in office for 8 years could be interpreted as your party didn't do a good job. Not sure why I'd want to vote for more.

I personally love the fact that we can all post our opinions and talk and debate politics. I'd personally like for those freedoms to continue. And not only the freedom to talk, but the freedom to have and make choices.

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Private and Public Lives

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Edwards cheated on his wife now. I did stay up to watch his interview with Nightline Friday night. I think he had some good points to say. I liked how he didn't have Elizabeth there next to him because it was his issue, his fault. I like that he said he has nothing else to say on the matter. But I can't believe him like I used to.

Adam was watching it with me and we got to talking about it. Adam brought up some interesting points. If Edwards talked so positively about the importance of family values/morals, and he lied to us in letting us think his family was so strong, etc, then is he crying wolf right now? But what if his family really is strong other than the one mistake he made? But then again, does what matter in his private life have any effect on his ability to hold a political job? And maybe he really does belief in all that he said, he just couldn't (obviously) lead the life he so much preached about. We talked about the importance of being truthful to those you love and working through problems. We talked about how hard it must have been for Elizabeth and his children. We talked about how does a parent rebuild trust after making a mistake, and how does a family heal. And we talked a lot about how much the public should know about celebrities and public people private lives and what private activities effect your job.

Don't get me wrong. What he did was wrong. So incredibly wrong. But, just because he is a politician does not mean he is perfect. And as his wife said just because others have also made this mistake does not make it any easier for her. In a very weird, possibly wrong way I actually do admire John for trying to keep it a private issue out of respect for his wife.

If this issue occurred in my marriage what would I do - would I want to try to rebuild? Would I want a divorce? I don't know. It would depend on so much. Either way, how much would I tell people, whether friends or family? And what would I want my husband to go around telling people? I'd want him to keep it private.
The question that keeps coming back to me regarding this is exactly how much of one's private life should be public. And exactly how much of one's private life effects your job.

On a much different level, as a teacher I am supposed to be a role model for kids. What if I see a student in the grocery store and I have beer in my shopping cart? Or what if a student sees a teacher out at a park and that teacher is smoking, or with their children yelling or giving their child a tap on their hand for not listening? But in school teachers tell kids hitting, smoking and drinking are not good for your body. Or what if a teacher has a same-sex partner? Are they not supposed to go out in public in fear of a student seeing them holding hands?

Where does one cross the line between what the public should know about your private life? And to what extent should they know about your private activities?

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Wordless Wednesday

I got my sticker.
Check out others!

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Britney Spears and Politics

I know. I know. Everyone is getting tired of hearing about Britney Spear's issues.

So, I'm not actually going to talk about HER issues.

I am going to talk about the issue itself. I think it's safe to assume that she is experiencing some kind of mental illness or mental issue that appears to be preventing her from leading a typically normal life as a person and mother, family member and friend.

In a way I am glad the media is covering the issue. But they aren't covering it the way I'd actually like to see.



I'd like to see the media talk about mental illnesses themselves. I'd like to see the media bring attention to how hard it is to treat mental illness. And it's hard on for so many different reasons.

Access/wait lists for doctors are too long.

State budges aren't enough to assist in treatment options.

Not everyone has health insurance to cover the cost of medication and therapy.

If you are an adult, it becomes really hard to force you to seek treatment.

Not to compare Brittany to what happened at VA Tech last spring, but the truth is, if you are over 18, it becomes a lot harder to force treatment on you. There are confidentiality rules that prevent family members, friends, companies and schools from knowing you may even need the help.

Brittany appears to have the money to seek treatment and help, but it appears she won't, or is at least showing resistance to it. She also appears to have loving parents that want to support her, despite the frustration they must be experiencing, and the sadness of watching their child struggle privately and publicly.

But, like many with a mental illness, it's not her that is showing resistance.

It's the mental illness itself. And, in this country, mental illness too often wins and slowly engulfs it's victim. There are many victims: the person himself, his family and his friends. Mental illness effects many people in many different ways.

And like her, there are soooo many more out there suffering.

I'd like to know what all of the presidential candidates REALLY feel should be done with the mental illness system we have in America.

**please note, I am not diagnosing Britney Spears as having a mental illness, all statements regarding her are my interpretation of media reports.

Cross posted over at DCMetroMoms where I am a contributing writer.

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Wordless Wednesday

No words for today's announcement on John withdrawing from his campaing to be president.
No words because now, instead of talking, I need to go find another candidate I like.

To see other Wordless Wednesday's, click here.

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The Next President

Over at DC Metro Moms and the sister sites an invitation has been given to the candidates. (again) It's inviting them to come talk to us. The Moms. Elizabeth Edwards has already chatted with us twice in fact. But we've heard nothing from the other candidates.

I'm pretty sure I know who I am voting for. But to be honest, I'm not sure where all the people stand. It's hard to find out. They all make promises, and the media can definitely be biased in their reporting, not to mention reporting on the bickering as well. How do we know the truth?

How do we really know how they will act in the position of President and/or Vice President? How do we know they will continue the agenda's they have made important in their campaigns?

So much of this election on the Democrat side has turned into an African American vs female issue. And I'll be blunt here, as great as it would be to finally elect someone of a minority status to be President, there has to be more than that for me to push the button for that person to be elected. I'll make that decision based on who I believe will best represent my feelings and how the country should be run at home and as a contributing member to the world.

What a better way to help spread their campaign message than by talking to Mom's?!? Let us help spread the word when out at the parks, picking up kids at school and sports, and blogging?

So, Hillary, Barack, John, John, Rudy, Mike, and Mitt: anyone game?!?

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