Words

Remember learning about McCarthyism in school?



No. It has nothing to do with Charlie McCarthy. He was amusing.



Joe McCarthy. He wasn't. Whether you think he is the most evil American of the twentieth century, or a prophet we ought to have listened to better, you have to admit, he isn't very funny. His name has coined a phrase with a scary meaning indeed: McCarthyism. Both sides of the political debate are resorting to extreme accusations, and it scares the living daylights out of me. I have read comparisons of Bush to Hitler and Obama to the anti-Christ. I have argued with extremists on both ends. I am scared and tired. I can't argue any more.
Yesterday I wrote a post about a dear teacher, and how she suffered more than I ever could have guessed from the joyful countenance she had dealing with angst ridden teens. I marveled at how she could be compassionate to the problems of the spoiled, whiny teenagers I and my friends were, when she as a girl suffered during the Holocaust. I don't know how or why this invited an anonymous commenter to spout on about evil Republicans. I really don't. What I do know is that I don't have the energy to argue with extremists.
I am not angry at anonymous. I have ranted on blogs myself at times. I just choose to leave my name and URL and stand behind my words. I have felt this fear for many months, and anonymous has merely brought the boil in my mind to a head, and I feel the need to burst it. Yes, this boil has been growing since before the election even. We have in this country conservatives crying out "SOCIALIST!" at our President, and liberals calling out "TERRORIST!" to returning veterans and activists in the pro-life movement, and I am becoming worried that this war of words is going to destroy our nation.
Words have power to inspire not only good, but evil as well. I am thinking of Marx's (Karl, not Groucho) Communist Manifesto, and the eventual slaughter of millions of Russians and other Slavonic peoples, as well as dissidents in China. I am thinking of Mein Kampf, and the millions of slaughtered Jews, gypsies, slavs....Even The Holy Bible (Thou Shalt not suffer a witch to live) has been held responsible for the Salem Witchcraft Trials (I don't question the inerrancy of scripture, but the manner in which humans interpret and carry out it's teaching).

Words. They are so powerful. They incite action. For real, not just my little KFC joke from weeks ago, but real hate which eventually causes real violence. I don't have the energy or the wisdom to fight the battle to prevent an actual battle.
I am weary of the vehement hatred on both sides. I long for peace between political parties before something really bad happens...something that tears us further apart. There are good, idealistic democrats. There are good, idealistic republicans. I feel a bit like Rodney King..."Why can't we all just get along...?" Why can't we?

Anonymous, if you have something heartfelt to share about the TOPIC on any of my posts, feel free. If you don't feel comfortable enough in our little community here to identify yourself, I get that. I used to be shy myself. But if you are going to get all extremist on me, and it has nothing to do with my post, back up your words with your identity, or I will delete your comment. As I have repeatedly said today, I don't have the energy or desire to argue. I want to make peace, and I don't know how.

James 3:17-18 (New International Version)
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

We need both sides to accomplish that, don't we?


Now, please excuse me. The naive school girl in me has some daisies she neglected skipping through this morning, and has to go....

Please, Mr. Government Official, Permit Me to Pray With My Friends in My Own Home...

Gatherings such as this are illegal in San Diego without a permit.


A video of an interview with the couple on Fox News.

Please click here and read this article. Yeah, if you have a big family, do you need a permit to say grace before meals? This ordinance may make sense if we are talking about a gathering of more than a hundred, but a group bible study with about 1/3 the number of people that came to weekly card parties back in the day (and yes, they sang songs in Hungarian until two in the morning!)? This is outrageous! Does that hold true if I am having weekly teas and rallies for the newest progressive political candidate, or only if I want to lead the meeting with a prayer?






What does the article and my angry rant have to do with What I learned this week? Everything. I have learned that I do take my religious liberties for granted. My husband often asks me what I would do if the Church had to go underground due to persecution. I learned that I haven't been taking this question seriously, and it is time that I do.

Matthew 26: 40-41 "Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. 'Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?' he asked Peter. 'Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.'"

Time to watch and pray. Thank you to those of you who already are....

Interview With Myself : Part Two

Good news, everyone. I have been able to reach myself for comment, and have agreed to continue to talk to myself about former governor Blagojevich, heretofore in this blog to be referred to as Mr. Blagojevich.

HRM: Helen, before we begin, I must ask you, what are you wearing? Yesterday you wore that lovely individualized egg designed muu muu. Today you seem to be wearing a dark blue pantsuit. What gives? Don't I warrant getting gussied up for any more?
Helen: Of course you do, HRM. This is not a pantsuit. This is a velour jogging suit. Sweat pants and a sweat shirt, if you will. In velour. I do love velour!
HRM: But why? I don't plan on making you sweat. These questions are not that hard. And we certainly weren't going to go jogging in cyber space! I miss your original designs!
Helen: Yes, I am more comfortable in my designer muu muus, but mom's visiting nurse is going to visit today. Whenever she sees me in one of my designer originals, she always asks me if I am sick. I thought I would head her off by wearing something almost as comfortable, if not as creative.
HRM: I see. Well then, let us begin. You must be thrilled that Gov....I mean Mr. Blagojevich was impeached yesterday. You were urging his resignation since early December.
Helen: Thrilled is not the word I would choose. Relieved is more like it. I can't be thrilled. It pains me that this was even necessary.
HRM: Really? How so? Yesterday you said that you thought he was unfit from the beginning due to his pro choice position.
Helen: Yes, I did say that. I am not sure what Governor Quinn's position on abortion is, so it is a little early for me to feel camaraderie with him in that regard.
HRM: Still, you seem kind of sad for someone who just got rid of a lying, swearing, cheating...
Helen: Hold on there, please. He has not been convicted as a criminal yet.
HRM: But his impeachment...
Helen: Was merely about whether or not he was fit to govern, not his actual guilt. This is America, and he is innocent until proven guilty...
HRM: Wait! So you mean you agree with that nonsense he was saying on the View and everywhere else?
Helen: Not exactly. He was suggesting that his impeachment trial was unfair because it determines his guilt without allowing him to confront his accusers. I agree that in America, we have a right to confront our accusers before being labeled guilty. But hs impeachment wasn't about guilt or innocence. It was about fitness to govern. Some Senators may have stepped over the line and talked about guilt, but guilt wasn't the point. Fitness to govern was.
HRM: Huh? That was about as clear as the Chicago River on St. Patrick's Day! *****
Helen: Okay, let me put it another way. When those transcripts came out on December 8, his voice is heard saying lots of bleepable stuff, and more or less offering the Senate seat for a price.
HRM: We all know that!
Helen: Yes, we do. But still, he needs to be tried in a court of law in front of a jury, with an opportunity to defend himself by questioning his accusers and bringing forth witnesses who can at least cause reasonable doubt before he can be called a criminal. But this impeachment trial was not a criminal trial. It was a trial to determine whether he could still do his job, or if he should be fired.
HRM: But doesn't saying he should be fired equate with him being a criminal?
Helen: Not at all. If I was accused of selling narcotics to students on the playground at a school I taught at, the principal would be within her rights to suspend me pending trial.
HRM: So Blagojevich is suspended?
Helen: No, he is fired. I don't believe the Illinois constitution provides for suspending a governor, and just as people would have little confidence in me as a teacher if I was accused of selling drugs to my students, people feel little confidence in Mr. Blagjevich due to the accusations against him. A person needs to be respected at their job in order to be successful in it.
HRM: So then if Blagojevich is not found guilty, he will have been ousted through no fault of his own.
Helen: In a way yes. But then, if a Supreme Court justice becomes senile, he or she can be impeached because he or she can't so his or her job. No one finds the defendant guilty of senility, just unable to fulfill the requirements of the job. I believe that Mr. Blagojevich lost the trust of the legislature and the voters (really, you wonder why Judy Barr Topinka wasn't governor since you can't find a single person on the street who admits to voting for Blagojevich). How can he govern without the people's trust?
HRM: And this makes you sad?
Helen: Very.
HRM: Why?
Helen: Mr. Blagojevich is accused of some horrible things that is very sad if it is true. And, he did improve health care for the elderly and working poor. In Illinois, we have a system called Circuit Breaker that helped the elderly with a few things, especially paying for prescription drugs. This was a few years before Medicare Part D. Prescription Drugs are very expensive. It was hard for many elderly people to get the drugs they needed. The Circuit Breaker was a Godsend for many. Then there is the help that some families get to pay for the medical needs of their children. These are good things. While I don't agree with him that these good things should give him a free pass to do bad things, he really was not a bad Governor for a while. Or at least he didn't seem to be.
HRM: I heard a rumor that during the sales tax and public transportation issues, you actually felt the media was picking on him.
Helen: Yes, a bit. You see, in the six years he was governor, he never lived in the Governor's mansion in Springfield, but in his Chicago house. The media made a big deal about the cost of this during the public transportation discussions.
HRM: So you think he was right to not live in the Capitol?"
Helen: No. I think that was ridiculous. But, if the media had issues with it, they should have reported it before his reelection, since that was the case all through his first term. It seemed fishy to me that the media got a bee in their bonnets over it when they did. Of course, now that there are allegations of him trying to get journalists fired, it all makes sense.
HRM: One more question. Ryan wants to know why we park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
Helen: Because people love paradoxes. If we are not drawn to the paradoxes that is God, we create our own paradoxes. Which reminds me of Open Road Tolling, another Blagojevich contribution...
HRM: Thanks, but not now. It is now time for us to go yell at the View. Let's go!
Helen: Right behind you!


******For those of you that do not know the river is dyed green every year on St. Patrick's Day. Please don't blame the Irish. I doubt that they do such silliness there. I do believe that in Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is a holy day where they celebrate the coming of Christianity to their lovely island. Pip, if you would like to add anything, or fell that I have expressed myself poorly about St. Patrick's Day, please clarify in the comment section. There will be no hard feelings. I wouldn't want to misrepresent my faith.

Help! I Think The Governor Has Driven Me Crazy

*****Update He is now Mr. Blagojevich. Helen has agreed to be interviewed about her thoughts on this later. She is currently unavailable for comment.

Governor Blagojevich has decided to make final remarks in his impeachment hearings today. In honor of this....event, I have decided to interview an Illinoisan you all know and love: me.

Helen from Random Musings: Thank you for joining me in cyber space today, Helen.
Helen: I am glad to be here. I have often been described as "spacey", and feel right at home here.
HRM: Excellent. And may I say before we begin, that you look absolutely stunning? I think the powder blue muumuu with the egg yolk stain is definitely you.
Helen: Why thank you. It was either this, or the purple muumuu with the coffee stains.
HRM: Excellent choice! First question: when did you first realize that Rod Blagojevich was unfit to be governor of Illinois.
Helen: Wow! I like the way you get right to the point! I can't say that I ever thought Blagojevich was fit to be governor, but not because I doubted his integrity. You see, he ran as a pro-choice democrat. I haven't been able to vote for those since Clinton and the partial birth abortion issue. I could see how a person could be duped into thinking a fetus they couldn't see wasn't a baby, but not how they could be confused when the baby was half out of the womb. That seems to me to be willfull ignorance. I have not been able to vote for a pro choice candidate since. I know that makes me the dreaded one issue voter, but when that issue is not killing humans, it seems pretty significant to me. So you see, I thought he was unfit from the beginning, but not in the sense that most people do now.
HRM: Back up a moment. You say you did not doubt his integrity then. How does that correlate?
Helen: I didn't know his stand and partial birth abortion. I think a person can disagree with me on the issue of first term abortion and maintain integrity. They would be totally and unequivically wrong, but that does not strip them of integrity.
HRM: How did we get on the subject of abortion anyway? I wanted to talk about Blagojevich!
Helen: Well, if you had better interviewing skills, you would never have let me go on this tangent!
HRM: (Sighs deeply.)
Helen: You had better ask me another question, your friends think you've lost it already!
HRM: When did you begin believing his integrity was slipping?
Helen: Well, there have been pay to play rumors for a while, but I didn't heed them much. I grew up in Chicago. One hand washing the other is a way of life here. My daddy made me register to vote on my eighteenth birthday. Do you know why? Our precint captain was a big shot in the sanitation department. Daddy was afraid we wouldn't get our garbage collected until I registered, so he made me do it immediately (well, not at 2:00 am, the time I was born, but you know what I mean.) When you are used to that kind of system, you accept a lot of garbage...
HRM: You still didn't answer my question. When did you first notice that Blagojevich was special in his corruptiblity?
Helen: Let's see....oh yeah, I was pretty disgusted with him after the RTA situation. You see, he kept vetoing the IL legislature's attempt to help public transportation. Here in Chicago, that was causing some big problems.
HRM: Let me get this straight. You knew Blagojevich was corrupt when people had to wait longer for buses!
Helen: The problems CTA has is a little more complicated than that, but no. My problem with the man began when he made his signature contingent upon giving free rides to senior citizens..
HRM: HOLD ON! YOU ARE AGAINST FREE RIDES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS! SHAME ON YOU YOU....YOU
Helen: Easy there. I am not against free rides for senior citizens. I think there are some excellent arguments for giving free rides to senior citizens. Really, the more seniors get out, the more they will spend. I think we more than make up for the free rides in their sales taxes paid on such excursions, not to mention that it helps out businesses. No, I am not against the free rides. I am against the way they came out of the blue without discussion. He never presented it for a vote. Had he done so, the legislature might have jumped up, cheered, and carried him out on their shoulders. But he didn't. He tried to turn himself into a hero. That is when I knew he was up to no good.
HRM: While this is all truly fascinating, I think I need to cut you short now. This is becoming a long read.
Helen: Very well. Thank you for having me.
HRM: Well, thank you for being here. Please join me again later to continue this captivating interview.
Helen: I would be delighted.
HRM: Now, you must tell me how to get that exact egg yolk design on a muu muu......



P.S. After checking out this Simpsons video, I have decided that I would be much better off making myself a hot cup of tea with a shot of Drambuie in it whenever I think I may be subjected to looking at Blagojevich's mug on t.v.


P.S.S. Are there any questions you would like to have HRM ask Helen in their next interview?

In The Interests of Not Being Repetitively Redundant...

Two of my friends have already done inauguration posts today. Rather than redundantly repeat (tee hee hee) what they said, I would rather just link to their blogs. I am sorry if that is lazy, but if I am just going to write what they wrote, I may as well just admit it is their work and link it.

Katdish's Inauguration Post.

Sherri's Inauguration Post.

Steff at the Red Clay Diaries Inauguration Post.

I agree with them with everything, including the "I didn't vote for him, but..."
I would like to add that I will be praying that FOCA does not pass. I will be praying that God changes our President's heart and mind about FOCA.


On another note, tomorrow is Wednesday, so I will be away from my computer all day.

If We Are In Such Danger of Global Warming, Why Am I Chilled to the Bone?

This is going to be a very cold week in Chicago. And after I had been promised global warming. Dang.
Okay, truth be told, I am not really convinced either way about global warming. But when gas prices went up, I did start thinking about ways to save gas. But, if my husband took public transportation, he would need me to drive him to where he could pick it up, about halfway to his place of work. Not exactly a gas saving opportunity.
I always recycle. I don't believe in being wasteful. We are called to be good stewards of the earth, whether Global Warming is fact or a hoax. That means not treating our resources like a never ending supply of _______.
We will wait to get a new car until there is a well made, affordable, American hybrid to choose. Because I can't afford expensive and shoddy, and gas prices are going to continue to be volatile. I have nothing against people who choose foreign cars, but I have a cousin who works as a salesman for GM. When I buy a car, he looks out for me. Shouldn't I do the same when I choose a car?
With or without GW, pollution is unpleasant. Perhaps even unhealthy. Pollution emitted into air and water should be limited.
But let's face it. If I never drove again, or took another airplane, grew my own food, became a vegetarian, recycled everything, did absolutely everything right, I still wouldn't save the earth as much harm as is emitted by one burning oil well in the middle east. That doesn't mean I am claiming license to be irresponsible, but if I became a fanatic, I wouldn't change the world. If we all became fanatics, we still could find global warming is a natural phenomenon.
I think Global Warming (and evolution for that matter, but that is another can of worms), should be taught as a possible theory, alongside other theories. Maybe we should be careful, and hedge out bets by recycling, walking when possible, and finding other sources of energy. But we shouldn't treat GW as fact.
Okay, now believers in GW and disbelievers can commence hating me alike. Go ahead. You probably could use something to bring you together to the table. It might as well be "Helen at Random Musings is full of Scheiss "(which is German for shit).
All that, just to say it is colder than a politician's heart here in Chicago this week. I put away the muumuus, and am rockin' the velour sweats this week. In a Jessica Rabbit sort of way. At least that is my story as to why it is tight, rather than that I have gained a few pounds since last winter, and I am sticking to it. Enjoy the video.

Call Your Aunts and Uncles....

Now! Stop reading the blogs for a few moments, and call your aunts and uncles. It is preferable to call the females aunt or auntie, and the males uncle. Call them, wish them a Merry Merry and a Happy Happy, tell them you are thinking about them, and tell them about every minor detail of your day, including the dog pooping on the rug and the cat puking on the sheets. Ask them how they are, and listen when they tell you about all their aches and pains. Praise them for their patience under the strain, even if you have to.......bend the truth as if it were made of the same material as Gumby. Tell them you think about them often, even if you have to redefine often. If you feel guilty because they ask why you haven't called in so long, tell them it is because of the dog pooping everywhere and the cat puking anywhere and you don't like to complain to them because of they are suffering with their own problems. They will assure you that they live to talk about dog poop and cat puke. Nothing fascinates them more than whatever you have to say.
Where is this coming from? If I have to hear my mom say one more time that nobody loves her (and yes, she makes it clear that she knows my husband and I do, but wants to know what did she ever do to make her nieces and nephews hurt or angry and not want to call...) I am going to turn purple and start twitching! Let me defend my cousins. They were here at her birthday party. They made an appropriate fuss over her. They gave her lovely gifts, brought a side dish, and sang "Happy Birthday" in harmony (actually some of us were off key rather than harmonious, but c'mon, that is what makes the song special). They sent lovely Christmas cards since then. I have exchanged emails with them where they tell me to send their best to their aunt (my mom). They are actually no worse than my husband and I with his aunts and uncles (my mom "reminds" me to call my aunt and uncle regularly). Their only fault as far as I can see is that they did not call and say "Merry Christmas". Actually, one of them did, and mom was thrilled when she called, but mom is focusing on the ones who didn't now.
So call that aunt and uncle. Or that elderly neighbor that you really should visit but don't have time because they never let you go home. Or......whomever it is you are reminded of as you are reading this. You may be able to make someone you love and who loves you very happy, and prevent another loved one from turning purple and developing a twitch. God bless you.
Thanks for letting me rant. I feel better now.


****Blagojevich update at 2:00. He dares to make an appointment. I have nothing against the man he appointed. I know of no scandals in his career. I just don't think Blagojevich should be making this decision considering what he has been caught saying on tape. Whether Blagojevich is guilty of a crime is up to lawmakers, but he has definitely done wrong. And such language! Does he kiss his family with that mouth? Yikes!

Take My Governor, Please

Last week David Letterman had for his top ten list the top ten messages left on Governor Blagojevich's answering machine. As a citizen of the corrupt, er, I mean great state of Illinois, I would like to respond.




10) For 10 grand can you make me Pope?" Praise God, he doesn't have that kind of authority, though I wouldn't put it past him to not only try to sell the papacy, but to try to sell the throne of God if he could get away with it. Maybe that was supposed to be next...."Uh, excuse me God, this seat is mine now...I bought it fair and square....since Jesus sits at your right hand, is he going with you or staying with me, cuz it would really be cool if this was a twofer..."

9) "Hello, is this the Blog-o-bloga-a-da-go-bl-vipivh residence?" Please. His name is pronounced as it is spelled, just make the j a consonant y sound. While I agree that we do not owe him, the courtesy to care, we should be considerate of people with slavonic last names and not just make fun of his name because it is so easy. There are plenty of other things about him we can make fun of---his hair, his Howdy Doody smile, his bleepin' limited vocabulary...

8) "Hi, it's O.J. Wanna be cellmates?" O.J. O.J. O.J. I really thought you'd have better taste in friends.

7) "Oh, I'm sorry, I think I have the wrong Blagojevich" Could be....

6) "Hi, it's Larry Craig -- did I hear something about a Senator's seat being available?" I've got two words for you, Larry. But this is a family blog, and you probably would.

5) "I'm calling about your Senate seat on Craigslist. Want to trade for a futon?" That depends. Is the futon bleepin' golden? Because he isn't going to bleepin' give the seat away for nothing...

4) "Hey, it's Cheney -- Damn even I think you're sleazy" Hello Mr. Cheney. Could you please take Governor Blagojevich hunting with you if he doesn't resign. It's okay, since it would be an accident....

3) "You really Blagojevich'd your political career" Again, Serbians in general deserve more respect than that. Rod doesn't, but he isn't the only Serbian American in this country. Every nationality has produced at least one bad apple. Except, of course, Utopian. There are no bad apples in Utopia.

2)"I'm guessing you didn't spend the bribe money on that haircut" His hair is the only thing I really liked about him!

1) "It's Sarah Palin. Thanks for replacing me as the country's most embarassing governor" Really. More embarassing than Spitzer. Give me a break. That was mean. I suppose that in retrospect, I am glad she will get more experience before she holds an office of National importance. But she was not an embarassment. Getting caught with hookers is embarassing (Spitzer). Selling licenses and causing deaths is even worse than embarassing (Ryan) . Trying to solicit bribes for a federal appointment is an embarassment (Blagojevich). Being underseasoned (Palin)--not so much!

Thanks for allowing me my tangent! Enjoy the video! (Warning: he tries to sell Patty....need I say more?)



P.S. The Blagojevich Video Bar is now open on my sidebar. It is an open bar, not a cash bar. I am ordinary folk you know. But, of course, if I were governor of IL, it would go to the highest bidder....

Seriously Shocked!

I am pretty sure it made the national news. The View interrupted hot topics yesterday to mention it. I was shocked, which was in itself shocking. My daddy told me that a politician has to sell his soul just to get on the ballot, so I should not be surprised by corrupt politicians. The words are synonymous. I always thought that while my dad's views were tainted growing up in communist Hungary, Chicago politics could also be the haven of Stan (check out Ryan's blog from yesterday's comments to find out who Stan is and how he got that name. It is a hoot!) .
The Governor of my state, the state of Illinois, Rod Blagoyevich, was arrested yesterday for trying to sell the Senate seat. My jaw still hurts from when it hit the floor. You see, the wheeling and dealing of state business for campaign contributions doesn't surprise me. Former Governor George Ryan's crime did not shock me, though it broke my heart that it cost the Willis children their lives. That is the Chicago way (minus children dying, hopefully), and Blogoyevich got his start in Chicago.
But trying sell the Senate seat for personal gain? I have no words. Trying sell it for political gain would be a new low in my opinion, since it is a Federal crime, but for personal gain just makes me feel violated as a citizen of IL and of the United States of America.
I know that in the U.S., a person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. I am working on that in my head and heart. In the meantime, my head keeps telling me that the feds have taped conversations of him doing this. I am totally sickened. I must go bact to Matter of Fact (Sherri's site) and see if there are any more jokes in her comment section. She is requesting jokes to make her feel better during her cold. Kathy left a doozy. Then I will clean house, which is what all of us voters in Illinois, especially Chicago, should be doing when it comes to politics. God bless you. Send Sherri a joke.

It's Over

No, not the end of the world. It is the end of campaigning, and I am glad of it, even though the guy I voted for didn't win. I have long admitted to voting against my own interests. I believe that Obama will be better for the economy than McCain would have been. I just couldn't vote for a man who believes that it is above his pay grade to vote to save the life of a born baby. I will pray that Obama has a change of heart about abortion, and that he appoint pro-life judges, and back down on his promise to pass FOCA. I will pray that the Holy Spirit guide him as he makes decisions that affect the rest of the world as well as the United States.

Fast from Presidential Campaign in the Name of Ocular Health!

I may have to fast from the presidential campaign for a week or so. My momma told me this would happen. My momma told me that if I kept rolling my eyes up into my head whenever someone said or did something dumb my eyes would stay that way. I must have tried to roll my eyes before I finished the previous eye roll, because I am getting a headache from all this.
The orgin of my pain is the comment by Senator Obama the other day which included the phrase "like putting lipstick on a pig". First my eye started rolling because it was obviously a takeoff on the whole lipstick/pitbull joke Sarah Palin used at the RNC. Yes, the phrase existed before he used it. No, I have never used or heard the expression used in Illinois, so his reasoning on Late Night with David Letterman that it is a common expression in Illinois is flawed. Maybe he heard it on the campaign trail in farm country, but certainly not in Chicago, where he hails from lately. I can't read men's hearts, but it did seem to be like the crowd who was guffawing was linking it with the pitbull comment made by Palin. Obama is an extremely intelligent man. He should stop pretending that the correlation never occurred to him.
That being said, I couldn't even finish my eyeroll when I heard that the McCain campaign is demanding an apology. An apology?! This is politics people. Candidates are supposed to spin clever comments made by their opponents to their own advantage. It seems to me that the McCain campaign is now playing the gender card, and that is wrong. I really like Gov. Palin because of her strong pro-life stand. Unless she changes her mind within the next 54 days, she has my vote. (That's right, she does. I still have my problems with McCain's "moderate" stand on abortion.) But how can an experienced politician be offended by a colloquial expression, even if it resembles a joke she told about herself. I know she owns lipstick, but does she own the patent to expressions with lipstick on any given animal? I think not.
I care about the pro-life cause, which is the only reason I ever vote Republican. Not many people are proud of being an "issue voter", and may be swayed away if the McCain campain gets stupid. I want babies to stop being murdered. I hope the Republicans don't blow this.

Republican National Convention and McCain's V.P. Choice

Yeah, I know, it didn't actually start yet. It has been postponed into a fundraiser for victims of hurricane Gustav. Good. I don't think anyone is prepared to cheer, bark, or hug while our hopes and prayers are with Louisiana. Stacy from Louisville did a lovely post a couple of days ago reminding people to pray. I am ashamed to admit, that while I would watch the news about Gustav's possibilities, I would worry, but forget to pray. Now I try to remember to offer prayers for the victims of Gustav every time I hear it on the news.
I am glad for McCain's choice for V.P. I realize she is inexperienced, but she is very pro-life. That seems to be my main criteria for voting now. Do I believe we would be more prosperous under a President from the Democratic party? In a way. But if we continue to support abortion, we are sure to incur the wrath of God sooner or later. Then where would be our prosperity? It would turn to dust. I fear God more than economic downturn. Yes, I am a Christian, and saved from the fires of hell. But that doesn't exempt me from whatever is doled out here on earth. He punished Moses for hitting a rock when it was contrary to His word. What is the punishment for legalised murder?
So every time I hear or read a criticism of Sarah Palin, it is out balanced in my heart by her strong pro-life stand. Yes, she would be "one heart beat away from the presidency" as V.P. And yes, I've heard that McCain is older than dirt, so she could actually be our second to next president. Here inexperience may mean that prosperity will be a long way away. But at least it won't mean destruction.

Is it real, or is it Memorex? A view of the DNC from Chicago with Kodak moments behind us

I will start this with a confession. I did not watch the Democratic National Convention on television. Political speeches are bad for my blood pressure. I could not have both political speeches and salt, so guess who won. :Jesus talked about salt as if it were a good thing. I don't remember any positive references to politicians from the Saviour.
So what makes me qualified to comment? I do read both Chicago newspapers. And I might look up the text of a speech on the web. Reading it does not make my blood boil the way watching a politician praise another politician who can advance his or her career, or negate the accomplishments of an opponent.
BTW, I will not watch the RNC either. If I hear one more person talk about Rezko, I'll scream. Obama admitted that while he did not do anything illegal, it was "boneheaded" (his word, not mine) of him to have a real estate deal going on with someone who was being investigated for corruption. He admitted it was stupid. How much more can you expect from a politician?
Anyways, this is not what I am refering to in the title of this post. I am refering to Chicago politics. I don't know if it made national news at all, but local news has been abuzz for the last couple of days because Jesse Jackson Jr. hugged Bobby Rush at a breakfast at the DNC given by Daley, and called for healing and unity between Chicago politicians. Then mayor Daley hugged Congressman Jackson, who was in tears. Then the Congressman called for unity between Speaker of the IL House Madigan and IL governor Blagoyevich. Yes, they too emabraced. A Kodak moment. Let's just say that they have not worked well and played with others since the beginning of Rod's second term. The gossip is that Madigan won't work with Blago because he wants him to look bad so his daughter Lisa can be elected governor next term. That is ridiculous. Rod Blagoyevich is quite capable of looking bad all by himself! He does not need help! (Yes, he's done some good things, but he has the political savy of my dead golfish Henrietta!)
The title of this post refers to the debate amongst ourselves here in Chicago whether this lovefest was for real or was it put on for show. My belief is yes. Both. The Democratic Party in IL has the potential to make Obama look bad. Obama says he can unify the country, but his own party in his own state can't get along any better than preschoolers who all want to be on the tire swing at the same time. They need to not only show unity for the sake of their nominee, but they need to actually be unified so they don't embarass him
So yes, I think it is for real. I believe they will work harder to work together. I just wish they could have done it for the sake of those who they represent, the voters, instead of for the sake of their nominee.