To my big, OLD, OLD, OLD brother!!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!

A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. - Mark Twain

I think we learned this over the past two years with the election.  You know, with all those chain e-mails?  Obama is Muslim.  Was sworn in on a Koran.  Michelle is a racist.  Obama and his supporters eat babies for breakfast.  That trash went around the world a million times, and people believed it, all the way up to election day.  In fact, many people still believe some of that stuff.  It doesn’t matter what the truth is to those people, and that baffles me.  Truth is truth.  With Obama, for example, you can’t claim he listened to Rev. Wright for 20 years, and at the same time claim he’s Muslim.  But people do. 

In an interview with Barbara Walters, Michelle Obama was asked how she feels about the things people say about Barack and her that are not true.  She very graciously said that she and Barack are used to people saying things that are untrue, and they simply don’t pay attention to the lies, because she and Barack know what’s true, and that’s what matters, and they simply move on.  I thought that was pretty easy to say, but it must be hard to do.  At the end of the day, though, I guess that’s what you have to do, especially, for example, when you’ve been attending a Christian church for 20 years, and you have idiots claiming you are Muslim.

My uncle had some perceptions about me and my beliefs, that I guess he got from my mom, and Faux News.  A few weeks ago, we sat down for a few hours and he asked ME what I thought about everything, and he found out that he was wrong in thinking that he had me pegged as what he thought.  Going to the source is what one has to do, and I’m so glad he did that. 

Here are a couple of random true stories.  We moved up to Dallas from Austin in late April 2005.  We knew no one here.  I joined a mom’s group, and met a few people (more on that soon - promise).  Nik’s 3rd birthday rolled around in June, and we still weren’t terribly close to too many here, so we had a small party with family and friends from out of town. 

The day after his birthday, I made breakfast, and our Austin friends left.  My ex-MIL and I worked on the flower beds all day, and all day, I felt awful.  I sucked it up, because I didn’t want her to do all the work herself.  Long story short, later that evening, I ended up in the ER with a ruptured appendix.  I signed off for everything, because a hot appy is an every day, routine thing, right?  Not so much.  I woke up early the next morning to go (if you know what I mean) and I passed out.  My BP was way low, and I remember waking up on the floor with the nurses hovering and picking me up.  My internal staples had failed, so they had to go back and do it again, and I had to have a transfusion (GO DONATE).  So my routine thing turned into a little stay, but whatever. 

My visitors included the ex-MIL, Jon, and Nik, who was not interested in his very puffy, pale, freaky looking mother.  But anyway, I lived.  Jon made jokes about whose blood I received, and that was some funny stuff.

While I can’t donate now, if you can, please do, for my friend, Deb.

That was 3.5 years ago, and I’m glad Jon’s stepmother and grandmother stayed in town to help with Nik, because we didn’t really know anyone in Dallas yet. 

More true stories ahead.  But like with Michelle and Barack, if you have no clue about what you are talking, just don’t.  You look pretty stupid.  “Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.”

(Read between them.  If you’re not abusing.)

To the Crazy Cat Lady!!!!

I love you!!!

What are you thankful for?  I am thankful for:

-

- my family.  Here, in New Braunfels, in New Mexico, Ohio, NC, well, all over the place.

- my parents.  All 4 of them. 

- my wonderful friends.  My best friend.

- Barack.

- That everyone in my family is generally healthy.

- That there were no mishaps with the 7 turkeys that were fried last night at our friend’s house.

- Coffee.

- Jacob Black, and his friends, even though we crackers took the land from them.

There’s so much more, but you get the idea.  We have to be thankful for what we have, because so many have so much less.  And remember those emotional bank accounts of everyone around you!

AND finally, after your turkey, you can decorate!

So, “Twilight.”  It was greatness.  I happen to like that it was done on a small budget, and wasn’t all flashy.  It followed the book pretty well.  And Edward?  Yeah.

I’m on New Moon now. The girl I took to the movie skipped this book. Kat says the young ones are so impatient. I’m going to encourage the young one to go back and read this.

Speaking of young ones, they can be silly. And just plain stupid. The above-mentioned young one is fabulous. But some young ones? Oh, they need some serious help. Pray for them.  Maybe just a good dose of Bon Qui Qui is all they need.

While we’re praying, please pray for my friend, Deb.  The monster is back.  She beat it before, and she can do it again.  And if you can donate blood, go do it.  MD Anderson always needs blood.  Edward can’t help us here, but you can.

In the news, Ann Coulter apparently broke her jaw, and now it is wired shut.  See?  God does answer prayers. 

Also in the news, a Miami Dade judge ruled today that there is no rational basis for keeping gays from adopting children.  Florida is finally getting with the program.  Let’s hope the bigots don’t overturn this ruling. 

Since turkey day is almost upon us, here’s Keith hysterical reaction to Wattlegate (a bit graphic):

Try to keep your eyes on Keith, not the bird. That’s just funny; I don’t care who you are.

Last night, I went and saw Coldplay. 

They were, of course, AMAZING.  We had great seats.  My friends, Cassasndra and Jeff, had even greater seats, and were five feet away from Gwyneth.  I don’t know where Apple and Moses were.  But anyway. 

More pics over at my Flickr.  That whole “no cameras” thing means nothing to me. 

Here’s just one of my very own videos:

It was a late night, and I am so very tired.  I’d like to be going to bed now, but I can’t.  I promised my friend’s 16-year-old daughter I’d take her to see this boy at midnight:

That’s right.  We are going to the midnight:05 (cause it’s on 5 screens, and 3 were already sold out) showing of Twilight.  Pray that we both make it through work and school tomorrow.  I do hope I’m not the oldest person there tonight.

She’s been going on and on and on about “Twilight” and Edward.  She is a pushy little thing about the books.  So pushy, in fact, if you don’t listen to her, she will send you a book and make you read it. I wasn’t listening, she sent me the book, and she made me read it.

And I did.  Really fast.  I was addicted to it.  “Just one more chapter, and I’ll go take a shower.  Just one more chapter, and I’ll really go take a shower…”

I’ll start “New Moon” tonight. 

Anyway, Kat is totally in love with Rob Pattison.  I still don’t see it.  He’s just way too pretty.  But Edward?  The Edward in my head while I read?  YEAH.

But since he’s 17, or 107, however you want to look at it, I have another vampire I am addicted to.

Bill.  Bill Compton.

And see?  We “older women,” as Sarah calls me, can have this vampire all to ourselves.  The high schoolers can’t watch this one.  Well, I certainly hope they don’t, anyway.

If you aren’t watching True Blood, START.  Bill is the grown-up girl’s Edward. 

Anyway, thanks, Kat, for the book, the soundtrack*, and the new addiction that keeps me up until all hours reading.

And thanks to my friend, Christie, for giving me Bill.

*I guess I didn’t get a life-size cardboard thingy because I said Rob was too pretty?  What about Bill?

The Rev. Jay Scott Newman (must use his middle name, as he was sure to use Barack’s when addressing his parishioners), of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenville, NC, has told his parishioners that they are putting their souls at risk if they receive Holy Communion after voting for Obama, because he is “pro-abortion.”

First of all, no one is “pro-abortion.”  Let’s get that out of the way.  There are those of us who are for choice, and those of us who are against choice.  And really, Father, until you get a uterus, you can’t know much about making a choice like that. 

Second, WWJD?  Deny communion to anyone?  Obama supporters?  Gays?  People who shoot doctors who perform abortions?  Was communion ever denied to all the priests who sexually abused children?  And what about the Bishops who helped cover it up?  Were they denied communion? 

Third, don’t forget about that pesky IRS tax code, Father. 

Yet another member of the clergy making religion look bad.  Jesus is looking at you, and at FBD, shaking his head.  Like Sam Walton, his children have screwed up what he started. 

I have one more question for people like this.  About all those fetuses they want to save…  If the fetus you saved turned out to be gay, would you still support it?

I am a “pro-homosexual.”  Oh, the horror.

You know, not until I moved to Dallas did I know about hate churches, but we have a mega one here.  First Baptist Dallas, my friends.  (Okay, I’ll stop with that.  Poor John.)

Because I like to make myself nauseous to the point of throwing up in my mouth, I downloaded and listened to the MP3 of this ”sermon.”  Dr. J., who by the way, is very proud of himself I gather, went through a few Bible verses, and interpreted why he thinks the Bible says being gay is not okay.  (That’s almost catchy if it weren’t hate speech.)  I can interpret those verses the way I want, too.  What people tend to forget is that the Bible is the word of MAN, not the word of GOD.  

Dr. J. says we’ve all been duped by the media.  We have all been converted to homosexual lovers by a “planned psychological attack fed to the nation via the media.”  Is this guy for real?  We have been desensitized, he says, by movies, so that we THINK homosexuals are just like everyone else, so there’s no need to be frightened.  Again, is he serious? 

He pointed out that 52% of the population under the age of 34 favors same-sex marriage/unions.  But it’s because Christians and non-Christians have embraced 7 myths of homosexuality - again, the fault of the media.  I am not even going to go into the myths.  I was dry heaving at this point.

But seriously.  I think this man believes what he tells his congregation.  What he needs is for one of his lovely girls, Julia or Dorothy, to discover she’s gay.  Oh dear, what would we do then?  Straight to hell, sister. 

I have never seen Christians so filled with hate and judgement.  And I don’t mean just this incident.  FBD has a special group.  Jesus accepted everyone.  Dr. J., what you fail to remember is that only one man can judge; your little flock there forgets this, too. 

We must give him credit, though, for helping out the gay community that one time.

It’s sad really.  Religion like this makes God look bad.  You guys should be ashamed of yourselves.  And you may just see me outside this Sunday morning for part two of your gay little sermon.

You know, like the ones who have finally broken free from the chains of racism!  YEA!

Then there are the people who disregard what someone says, even when it’s true, just because they don’t like it.  That is very sad to me.  For example, people are still saying Obama doesn’t believe in God.  This is not true, people.  Delete those stupid chain e-mails you received, and pull your heads out.  (Again, WHAT IF HE DIDN’T?  AND?)

Moving right along from my disappointment in someone…

To address the issue of drawing a parallel of me badmouthing Bush for the past 8 years, and the McCain crowds booing Obama (right after he won by a landslide), I fail to see it.  I think we all know what Bush’s approval rating is, so about 71% of the rest of you badmouth him, too (maybe just to yourself, and that’s fine).  I am not running for office.  I do not speak to crowds who yell things like, “terrorist” and “kill him” and then fail to shush them, until my concession speech.  Remember, I thanked McCain for his gracious speech, and thanked him for shutting those people up.  I also don’t make up lies about Bush and spread them around the Internet.

Here’s the thing.  It is perfectly fine for you to not like Obama because of his policy.  But it is not okay for you to not like him because of from where his father came.  It is not okay for you to not like him because of the color of his skin.  It is not okay for you to not like him because you *think* he’s Muslim.  It is not okay for you to not like him because of his name.  It is not okay for you to not like him because you got 50 chain e-mails that had no factual basis whatsoever, but you bought it all, hook, line, and sinker.  It is not okay to claim he is a socialist, because he’s not. 

Some people I love like to use the phrase “gloom and doom” when referring to the “liberals.”  Guess what.  All I have heard from them, and the other conservatives I know, has been DOOM AND GLOOM since we expected Obama would win this presidency.  

I’ve talked before about the anger/Democrat connection that I hear from my mom.  Guess what.  I see all the anger coming from the Republicans.  Palin put you guys on that train.  Good luck in 2012.

Most of the conservatives I know call themselves Christians.  I don’t have a problem with that at all.  I wish they would start acting like it.  WWJD?  Call a good man horrible names?  Tell lies about a good man (some Christians I “know” have proven this Christian capability)?  Hate a man because he beat yours?  Hate a man because he’s black?  Jesus accepted a prostitute.  And some of you cannot accept this man - this intelligent man who wants to bring our country back to where it used to be - a country that other countries will admire again - a country where when abroad, Americans won’t claim to be Canadian.  I want this for my son.  Jesus accepted *her*.  Why can you not accept this man?  Take away all the lies.  Why now?  If it’s strictly for policy reasons, that’s fine.  Then there is no need for name calling, and saying he doesn’t believe in God, and other moronic statements.   

What was the color of Jesus’ skin?  (Answer:  not Saltine white).

At the end of the day, I think we can all agree that right now, we are in the toilet - in general.  We don’t have the respect we used to have.  We don’t have the economy we used to have.  We don’t have the unity we used to have.

So please get over the loss, and look forward to the future.  I know some of you are filled with doom and gloom, but you may just be surprised if you turn off Faux News, and get some hope.   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kind of off topic, but I have been taking the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People core program (or whatever it’s called) for the past three weeks.  Habit 4 is Think Win/Win.  This is a HARD habit, but it’s very beneficial.  Steve and I talked about it last night.  This habit would work well in this situation.  Very well.  We all have to win.  Someone called into KRLD today and said that he hopes Obama is a total failure in his first two years?  Really?  Because that would affect you, Mr. Caller.  What would Mr. Caller gain from that?  If we are all adult enough, we can have the attitude to seek mutually beneficial solutions to satisy the needs of all of us - Americans. 

So, get over it already, man or woman up, and be proud of us.  We DID make history.  Stop with the ugly; it makes us look bad.

A revolution of values.  A revolution of ideas.  - Rep. John Lewis

“Revolution” isn’t a dirty word.  It’s a change.  Yesterday, we made our voices heard.  And what we said was, “It’s time for a change.”

We showed the world that we can look past what a man looks like.  We can see past a negative, ugly campaign from the other side.  We can see past viscious lies spread through the world like wild fire through e-mail.  Because hey, we are smarter than that.  And America, I am PROUD of you for that.  I am proud to be a part of this election.  I am proud that I witnessed this.  I wish Barack’s grandmother could have.  (I am proud that my son voted for Obama at school.)

21 months ago, I started supporting a man for president.  “Who is Obama?” friends asked me.  A friend I used to work with at the Texas Democratic Party, who now works for Obama, remembers that.  She called me the “original Obama supporter.”  That cracks me up, because Michelle is probably the original Obama supporter. 

21 months ago, I knew who I wanted to win tonight.  21 months I have waited for this, and when Ohio turned, I think Steve the dog thought Mom had lost it.  And then again when MSNBC called it.

I am proud that we, including my young son, will see the first African-American in the White House.  It shows that we have finally, at least the majority of us, gotten past the ridiculous, ignorant notion that a person is less of a person because of the color of his or her skin.  We all are just people here. 

Maybe in my lifetime, and hopefully in my son’s, we will see a woman in the White House (though we’ve had the right to vote for only 88 years), when even more people get past the same ridiculous, ignorant notions about women.      

McCain, thank you for your speech last night.  It was great.  It’s too bad the people in your audience are still filled with such animosity.  I do hope that goes away.  So unbecoming.  Thank you also for trying to shush them.  I think what we can learn from your campaign is that dirty, ugly campaigns turn people off.  Also, perhaps vetting that VP choice of yours would have helped.  But we can Wednesday-morning quarterback all day.  What’s the point now?  Please encourage your supporters to get past their anger and hate.  I know it’s hard for them.  I deal with someone like this myself.  But it’s the best thing for the country.

Obama.  I am so hopeful I can’t express it.  I will sleep well tonight, and on 01.20.2009, I will remove the “I Miss Bill” sticker from my car.  I also worry for you, because you are inheriting a hell of a mess (thanks, George.)  But I know you have what it takes to bring us together - those of us who aren’t ignorant and blinded by color, and can’t see past party - and heal this nation.   

“Hope doesn’t come from calculating whether the good news is winning out over the bad.  It’s simply a choice to take action.”  - Anna Lappe

Thank you, America, for taking action.

(Oh, and Palm Beach County, at what point will you realize your ballots are too hosed up?  I can come design one for you if you’d like.)

I’ll be back.  I am so damn ecstatic I can’t breathe.

*not my photo

Si, se puede.

Get out the vote, people. 

Maher’s Recap:

(Oh, just a side note:  California GOP?  Lower than low.)

I don’t know how anyone could be, not for several months, but maybe this will help.

TOMORROW is our day, “my friends.” 

*snicker* 

Sorry.

In this election, we cannot afford the same political games and tactics that are being used to pit us against one another and make us afraid of one another.  The stakes are too high to divide us by class and region and background; by who we are or what we believe. 

Because despite what our opponents may claim, there are no real or fake parts of this country.  There is no city or town that is more pro-America than anywhere else – we are one nation, all of us proud, all of us patriots.  There are patriots who supported this war in Iraq and patriots who opposed it; patriots who believe in Democratic policies and those who believe in Republican policies.  The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag.  They have not served a Red America or a Blue America – they have served the United States of America.

It won’t be easy, Ohio.  It won’t be quick.  But you and I know that it is time to come together and change this country.  Some of you may be cynical and fed up with politics.  A lot of you may be disappointed and even angry with your leaders.  You have every right to be.  But despite all of this, I ask of you what has been asked of Americans throughout our history. 

I ask you to believe – not just in my ability to bring about change, but in yours.

I know this change is possible.  Because I have seen it over the last twenty-one months.  Because in this campaign, I have had the privilege to witness what is best in America. 

I’ve seen it in lines of voters that stretched around schools and churches; in the young people who cast their ballot for the first time, and those not so young folks who got involved again after a very long time.  I’ve seen it in the workers who would rather cut back their hours than see their friends lose their jobs; in the neighbors who take a stranger in when the floodwaters rise; in the soldiers who re-enlist after losing a limb.  I’ve seen it in the faces of the men and women I’ve met at countless rallies and town halls across the country, men and women who speak of their struggles but also of their hopes and dreams.

I still remember the email that a woman named Robyn sent me after I met her in Ft. Lauderdale.  Sometime after our event, her son nearly went into cardiac arrest, and was diagnosed with a heart condition that could only be treated with a procedure that cost tens of thousands of dollars.  Her insurance company refused to pay, and their family just didn’t have that kind of money. 

In her email, Robyn wrote, “I ask only this of you – on the days where you feel so tired you can’t think of uttering another word to the people, think of us.  When those who oppose you have you down, reach deep and fight back harder.”

Ohio, that’s what hope is – that thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better is waiting around the bend; that insists there are better days ahead.  If we’re willing to work for it.  If we’re willing to shed our fears and our doubts.  If we’re willing to reach deep down inside ourselves when we’re tired and come back fighting harder.

Hope!  That’s what kept some of our parents and grandparents going when times were tough.  What led them to say, “Maybe I can’t go to college, but if I save a little bit each week my child can; maybe I can’t have my own business but if I work really hard my child can open one of her own.”  It’s what led immigrants from distant lands to come to these shores against great odds and carve a new life for their families in America; what led those who couldn’t vote to march and organize and stand for freedom; that led them to cry out, “It may look dark tonight, but if I hold on to hope, tomorrow will be brighter.”

That’s what this election is about.  That is the choice we face right now.

Don’t believe for a second this election is over.  Don’t think for a minute that power concedes.  We have to work like our future depends on it in this last week, because it does.     

In one week, we can choose an economy that rewards work and creates new jobs and fuels prosperity from the bottom-up. 

In one week, we can choose to invest in health care for our families, and education for our kids, and renewable energy for our future. 

In one week, we can choose hope over fear, unity over division, the promise of change over the power of the status quo. 

In one week, we can come together as one nation, and one people, and once more choose our better history. 

That’s what’s at stake.  That’s what we’re fighting for.  And if in this last week, you will knock on some doors for me, and make some calls for me, and talk to your neighbors, and convince your friends; if you will stand with me, and fight with me, and give me your vote, then I promise you this – we will not just win Ohio, we will not just win this election, but together, we will change this country and we will change the world. 

Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America.

-Barack Obama, Canton, OH 10.27.08

(Thanks, Natester.)

(He was yelling, “BARACK OBAMA!”)

I told Nik that I usually wait until election day, but I think that this year, it will be very, very busy.  And that’s a good thing.  It was busy when we went.  Another good thing.  On the way there, Nik said that he was going to vote for Obama.  I told him that he could help me read the ballot, because he couldn’t vote until he is 18.  I reminded him why it’s so important that we all vote.  Before we went in, I asked him why Mom was voting.  He said, “So you can pick the greatest person who will do the greatest things.”  Pretty much, dude.  Pretty much.

A good friend of mine told me tonight that ACORN needs to register Joe Six Pack and Joe the Plumber as voters.  Kills me.  (Not literally.)

Joe the Plumber.  Joe the Plumber.  Joe the Plumber.  How many plumbers named Joe are going to hate life at work tomorrow?

Once again, McCain came across as an angry, little, old, confused man.  But it was worse this time.  In fact, he came across as an arsehole.  He kept doing this smirky raising of the eyebrows thing that I have seen in a familiar face.  I recognize that look.  It’s the look of a jerk who thinks he knows what he’s talking about, but doesn’t.  He thinks he looks good and smart, but he doesn’t.  He tried and tried to rattle Obama.  Again, it didn’t work.

McCain, I know you’re confused, but when Bob asked about the negative campaigning, you basically started off by saying you were punishing Obama for not doing town halls with you.  Really?  And I am so sorry Lewis hurt your feelings.  I think you missed his point.  Poor you.  I guess it’s okay, though, for you and Sarah to do all your negative campaigning, and to incite your crowds to anger and violence. 

McCain, I understand you are jealous of Obama’s eloquence.  I am, too.  Was that one of today’s talking points for you?  That you just can’t compete?

You had smoke coming out of my ears the whole time, but here’s where you really pissed me off:

“Just again, the example of the eloquence of Sen. Obama. He’s health for the mother. You know, that’s been stretched by the pro-abortion movement in America to mean almost anything.  That’s the extreme pro-abortion position, quote, “health.” “

That was so unnecessary.  Obama tried to get you on the same page - the page we should all be on - that we need to do what we can to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and that no one is pro-abortion, but you refused to listen.

Anyway, you acted like a first-class jerk, again.  Obama was a first-class gentleman, again. 

You’ve lost it, “my friend.”  Pack it up.

Oh, you thought so wrong

We beat the number one team

See the polls today.

LSU lost, no?

Aw, so very sad for you

Texas: Number One.

HOOK’ EM