Yikes! Anita Dunn is Scary!

Even though I am not affiliated with the Republican party, nor am I particularly conservative, I listen to the Glenn Beck radio show now and then. He fascinates me because his is so hysterically conservative. He deserves credit for being so passionate about what he believes. He also annoys the heck out of me because he cries like a baby and is hyper-critical about everyone who doesn't share his exact views, and he doesn't offer any real solutions for the problems he points out, but I do find him intriguing. Yesterday on his radio show, he claimed that his folks had uncovered a "damning" video of the current Communications Director for the Obama administration, Anita Dunn. He teased it for awhile and said that he could not reveal what was on the video until his television show on Fox News at 5:00 pm. Glenn Beck is nothing if not a great showman. Anyway, I decided to tune into his show to check out what all the drama was about.

Poor Glenn Beck! He is absolutely going to have a heart attack one of these days. He gets so worked up and frenetic that he is going to burst some important and vital organ one of these days! With that being said, I have to say that the video of Anita Dunn was disturbing on a couple of levels. First of all, anyone who has such a horrible case of cotton mouth (the noises from her mouth and the tongue getting thrust out every third word was hideous to look at) is, in my opinion either very nervous about speaking in front of people, or very nervous about the content of the speech. Anita Dunn seems to admire Mao Tse Tung. That seems like someone who should not be in a high government position. Oddly enough, Glenn Beck has this one right. Second, don't people who are being considered for jobs at the White House have to go through some sort of screening and security check? My husband is an engineer for ITT and has to go through a thorough background/security check every few years. If they found him to be a Maoist, I think he would no longer be in the same (pretty lowly) job there. How is it that so many questionable people are being put in such high level jobs these days. What kind of change is going on? Glenn Beck is crazy, but he might be onto something here. . .

Feeling Uncomfortable

I am neither Republican or Democrat, and I don't really trust any politician. I gritted my teeth through the whole eight years of the Bush administration. I felt a little hopeful when Obama was elected President, but now I am starting to feel a little uncomfortable. Obama promised change and many times change is a good thing, change is needed, but change for change's sake or change made without any forethought is dangerous. I am starting to get a bad feeling about the "cash for clunkers" crap that has been making the rounds. I gave up my Suburban last summer for a car that squishes my family of six every time we want to go somewhere. On several occasions we have been forced to drive two vehicles to accommodate our family, when before, the Suburban was sufficient. Now the health care reform mess is coming down the pike and so far, I don't like what I am hearing. My husband has a great job that has great insurance. We are very blessed, but more and more it sounds like we may have to give it up just so everyone can be insured. Don't get me wrong, I think everyone should be covered by some sort of insurance, but taking away something from people who have worked their butts off trying to earn the best they can for their families seems to be a punitive action. Why punish people who are the salt of the earth? Why rip things away from the very people who are the engines of this country? It makes no sense and frankly, the government sucks at running things, so why would we agree to that sort of thing. Sometimes I just have to sit and scratch my head because the legislators who come up with these ideas didn't just drop down into this country from outer space, so why do they come up with such ridiculous rules they want people to follow? Pushing a health care bill through as quickly as possible and "fixing" it later is the stupidest idea there is. Someone needs to stand up and stop the madness. Slow down, take the time needed to get a good solid plan in place, and then see if THE PEOPLE want it. I swear the people in Washington think American citizens are like sheep that will follow anything they say. Ugh! I don't like feeling uncomfortable!

Holiday Celebrating Is Coming to an End

It has been a whirlwind of activities since December 20, and now it is winding down with our last guests leaving for their flight home today. All the scurrying around started on December 2oth when my husband flew "home" for two weeks to be with us during the entire Christmas Break. My parents drove 600 miles and arrived here on December 22nd; they left this morning to start out on their yearly migration South to Florida. My sister and her family flew here on Saturday for a rather abbreviated visit since their original flight was cancelled due to the bad weather in Indiana. During this holiday, we have been to Arlington Cemetery, The National Spy Museum, the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the newly refurbished American History Museum. Our legs were pounding the pavement all over Washington, D.C. and it was fun to see all the preparations being made for President-Elect Obama's inauguration. There is much to be done before that momentous day! Some review stands along the parade route have started to take shape, and row after row of bleachers are being set up. So far, no sign of "porta-potties" but I am sure they are on order. The White House looks beautiful with it's Christmas dressings, which I suppose will be replaced soon with the buntings and flags for the welcoming of its new tenant. All in all, our visits with family were good. Our house, that continues to be on the market, also had several visits from interested buyers (much to my surprise!). In less than a week, my husband will be boarding an airplane and heading back to Indiana to get back to work. We all keep hoping that 2009 has good things in store for us--the last two years haven't been all that great, but if our house here in the Washington Metro area sells, things will really be looking up for us!

Ready for the End (of the Election)

I don't know about any of you, but I am ready to get this election over! I am tired of the political ads, the pundits, the rumors, the comedy skits, the debates--all of it. I'm tired. I want it to be over. November 5 will be a great day, I think, uh I hope. There are so many scary things going on right now with the economy, job losses, climate change--ugh! I'm sick of it all. I have decided (I think) who I will be voting for and I'm ready to go. I think the ads should just stop and there should be "radio silence" on all that has to do with the nonsense of this election so that people can do their own research and truthseeking without all the mess of the media. People should quietly go about finding out what they need to know to make up their minds and then. . . just get out and vote for goodness sake. Let's put this election to bed!

Sarah Palin Speech

Here's the thing; I am neither Republican nor Democrat, and proudly so. I have been watching some of the speeches that have been televised from both the Democrat and Republican party conventions. Sarah Palin's speech last night was of particular interest to me for several reasons. First, I knew very little about her; really only that she is young ( I'm glad they think 44 is young!). Second, because she is almost exactly the same age as I am. I think she is about a week older than I am, and she has children who are similar in age to my four children. Third, I wanted to see how she delivered her speech: hateful, mocking, full of substance, moving, genuine, etc. Anyway, she seems to be an interesting character in this election. The problem with both of the candidates that we have to choose from, for me anyway, is that neither of them is saying exactly what I want to hear. I want a leader who is genuinely concerned with the citizens of the United States of America. I want a leader who wants to end the war in Iraq--the sooner the better! I want a leader who will act quickly to make alternative fuels a reality in our country. I want a leader who will not tax the life out of every family and every business here. I want a leader who speaks the truth; who isn't concerned about his or her own popularity. I want a leader who is positive and above all the current stupidity of the politics in this country. I want the President to be someone to lead us back to the safety, security, prosperity and ingenuity we had before we became dependent on foreign countries for energy, cheap work forces and shoddy products. I want my children to grow up in a country that is strong and independent; that is safe and offers everything they could ever want or need. So far, while I have been impressed by the speeches that have been delivered, but I am not convinced that either candidate or their running mates are exactly what I am looking for. This is an important election. Some would argue that it is the most important election to happen in decades. I liked Sarah Palin's speech. I don't agree with her on everything. I liked Michelle Obama's speech, Joe Biden's speech, and Barack Obama's speech, yet I cannot bring myself to throw my support behind either candidate. So, what is a person like me to do? Watch and wait. Pray and study each candidate, I guess; and then hope for the best.

Truth-telling & Snopes.com

I guess my dad is easily duped into believing every e-mail he receives. This morning he sent me some trash about how Barack Obama is a Muslim and how he won't put his hand over his heart for the pledge of allegiance or sing the national anthem. All of those things are easily refuted by simply typing Barack Obama into the http://www.snopes.com/ search engine. My dad knows about snopes.com and uses it, so I don't understand why he insists on sending out these crazy e-mails that intend to spread lies. My dad is above all that. I take it that he is against Obama and for McCain, because at the same time he sent me the old story about John McCain's son being deployed to Iraq. Okay, so he is serving in Iraq. It had to be expected if you are in the military, and I think it is not surprising to Senator McCain--he knows better than anyone, and he continues to be all gung-ho war. I'm not moved in anyway to change my mind about which candidate I am going to support by my dad's little trick of juxtaposing those e-mails. Nice try, Dad, but you know better!

Hillary Clinton to Concede

The most recent news I have seen is that Senator Hillary Clinton will concede the Democratic Party Nomination for President to Barack Obama this evening. I hope she will be gracious and open to a run with him on his presidential ticket, so that this whole thing can be put behind us and we can move on to bigger and better things in the Fall. I think an Obama/Clinton ticket would be just the thing to heal the hurt feelings and get down to the business of the country. More on this, I am sure, to come later.

Is There a Time Out in the Primary?

While I was charged up and excited about the Democratic primary campaign last month, I am starting to grow weary of it just a few short weeks later. I don't like all the nasty comments and rhetoric that is going on now. It is very unbecoming of both candidates. What was such a feeling of hopefulness for change and pride in my country four weeks ago, has now changed to dread and worry about how all this is going to work out. Two perfectly capable and qualified people whom I respected are now turning into ugly, spewing, boasting, one-upsman talking heads. I don't like it. I don't like it at all. We need a time out so that all of us can get off the spinning wheel and refocus. Let me off this ride!

The Problem With This Election

I have to admit that I am really having a good time observing how all this primary election stuff is playing out, but I do have a problem with it. It is confusing, and I am conflicted with myself about all of it as well. I started out liking Barack Obama, then I changed to Hillary Clinton because she seems more familiar, and she is a strong leader. Barack Obama seems like he is fresh and not stained by a long political career, but that is also what bothers me about him. He also seems very serious. Hillary Clinton, although I think she has been known to be a rather cold person, appears to be able to laugh at herself and really seems like a human; Obama seems like a robot to me. I am just so torn. I want change! Good heavens, how I want change. I am so looking forward to our country getting out from under President Bush's thumb that all I can think about is change. But, what kind of change do I want? A really radical, untested, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants change? The kind that I think Obama represents. Or, do I want a safer, calmer, softer sort of change that I think would come from Clinton? I wonder if the rest of the country feels as conflicted as I do? I suspect they do in the way the voting has been going. No one is ready to let go of either of the Democratic candidates. It sure would be easier if there was a clear choice!

Slow Blogging Day

I can certainly tell that things are slow for me in the blogging world. There isn't anything out there that interests me to blog about. Tomorrow will be an exciting day for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Texas and Ohio, so there may be some blogging that comes out of that, but that is tomorrow. The only other thing I saw that seemed a little interesting is the scroll across my television screen this morning that said Drew Barrymore has a "worldwide announcement!" I wonder what it could be! But other than that, today is a bore so far. I guess I will just enjoy my springlike, sunny, day in boring northern Virginia.

The Mudslinging Begins

I knew this would happen sooner or later, but I just hate to see it happen. I am referring to the accusation by Senator Hillary Clinton that Senator Barack Obama plagiarized some of the material from his speeches. I don't like all the bickering and accusations and meanness that comes out of candidates during elections, but I think it is almost necessary. The Obama camp is sort of blowing off the accusations by saying "so what, I borrowed a few speech lines and ideas from my friend." Barack Obama might not think it's a big deal, and in the smaller picture, it may not be anything, but in the larger picture, it could make one pause before jumping onto the Obama bandwagon. Barack Obama also says that Hillary has borrowed words and phrases too. I am afraid that this is only the beginning of the picking and throwing that is going to go on until the Democratic nominee is picked. I guess we all need to remember that what we hear in the news and from either side of the race is not the whole story. We need to hear what accusations are being made and then do our own research before jumping to conclusions about either one of the candidates.

Democratic Primary is Cool!

Around my house we have a strange combination. My husband leans toward Republican ideals--conservative, pro-war, Bush supporter. I, on the other hand lean toward Democratic beliefs. We have four daughters and the three older ones have started to become interested in the political process and are getting caught up in the excitement that the Democratic primary is stirring up. My three oldest daughters range in age from 15 to 8 and they all have opinions. The youngest one, who is six, just likes to say "Barack Obama." Anyway, my husband, like all Republicans these days, says he's not going to vote on Tuesday when Virginia gets to participate. I am sort of excited to vote, but am still not sure which candidate to vote for. Hillary is smart, and I think is really thinking about ways to improve our country in many ways. Barack is also smart and interesting and would definitely bring about change. I'm torn. I could see both of them as President. The older two girls want me to vote for Hillary, the eight year old wants me to vote for Barack. I think it is so cool that they are interested in all of this. They are excited about being able to witness historical changes. Either way I go, I can't lose. History will be in the making with either candidate. Living so close to Washington also makes the process more interesting for the girls. They think we will be going in town next year to witness the inauguration--not sure about that one, but this is a fun and exciting time! Cool!

Clinton/Obama Ticket Anyone?

It is still too early for me to decide whom I will vote for. I am an Independent, and there are so many candidates to choose from. There are a couple that I have definitely decided against. First, Rudy Guiliani. I just don't think he has anything to offer. Second, Mitt Romney, I just don't like him. He seems too slick and polished. So, that leaves a whole bunch of others to choose from. I like John McCain; he seems to be a real person and has a sense of humor. Mike Huckabee is interesting just because I like to say his last name--it's fun--try it, it will make you smile! He also is about the only one who has a really big idea--getting rid of income taxes--I don't think it will work, but the idea is new and a good one. John Edwards is just plain cute and I just like him, but he may be one of the weaker candidates. Hillary Clinton seems ready. She's a different person than when she was First Lady. She seems to really care about the future of our country and it is high time we had a woman president! Barack Obama is intriguing too. It is high time a black American was president! He is a bit of a mystery and his name, unfortunately sounds like the name of our country's enemies. He is a definite contender in my book, though. I think for me, the ideal presidential ticket would be Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton. Get them together and our country could be headed in the right direction!