Maybe It's Me?

Boycott Ebay?

2010-04-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's me?
On the heels of a terrible economy, and my age being a real factor in the job hunting world - I decided to open an Ebay store several months ago. Offering several lines of home textiles and decor, as well as Le Creuset cookware - I quickly jumped to become a Power Seller and a Top-Rated Seller. For a new and fledgling business, things were going fairly well and I had hopes for using this as a launching point to open a brick-and-mortar location which might actually create a few jobs here in New Jersey where so many suffer from unemployment.

In February of this year Ebay announced sweeping and site-wide changes. On the surface, some of these changes seemed like they would be advantageous to sellers. For example, there would no longer be three categories of listings – Store, Fixed Price, and Auction. All store listings would become Fixed Priced listings with full search exposure. Sellers would no longer need to list the same item twice, once as a store listing and then again as a fixed price listing to get noticed. All fixed price listings would move to one price for insertion, based on the level of the store - basic, premium or anchor.

Sounded good, but turned out it is a disaster. Ebay looks more like a cheap dollar store and has created chaos for anyone who is not extremely specific in their keyword search. Example, search "jeans" and the buyer sees over 500,000 results - too overwhelming for most buyers to narrow down and wade through.

While Ebay's profits have risen for the first quarter, expectations for the second quarter are poor. The rise in the first quarter, in my suspicious opinion - is due to new store owners such as myself who received emails threatening much greater costs if they did not upgrade to premium stores (at twice the price of basic stores) and quickly upgraded - which brought, I am certain, a nice windfall into Ebay's coffers.

Many sellers with real experience on Ebay report no sales since these changes took place. I can certainly say my own sales are suffering. I have gone from an average of 10-12 sales a day to 1 or none.

Ebay's changes - put in place by CEO John Donahoe - truly "put the screws" to sellers. Changes in the feedback system have done great damage to sellers. For those not familiar with Ebay, feedback is the communication left from buyer to seller and seller to buyer on each sale and was designed to highlight good sellers to potential buyers - or to let the buyer beware when a seller turned out to be a scam artist.

Additionally, buyers can rate a sale (and the seller) with what is commonly known as the "DSR" system. A series of markers where the buyer can rate a sale from 1 to 5 stars. These markers include the accuracy of the item description, the fairness of the shipping charges, the speed of shipping, the sellers communications. Buyers are allowed to leave the DSR ratings anonomously and these DSR ratings can not be revised - even if the buyer wants to. Sellers are completely at the mercy of buyers in this rating system. Regardless of whether or not the information left in these DSR's are fair or even accurate - Ebay offers no protection at all to the seller.

Here is an example: Seller offers free shipping on all items sold. Buyer leaves less than 5 star rating for shipping charges. The 4-star rating counted as a negative against the seller. I defy someone to tell me how one can do better than free. Buyers often assume that prices are raised when a seller offers free shipping - and surely sometimes this is true. However, savvy sellers are careful with their pricing in order to stay competitive. Free shipping in one zone is hardly the same cost as free shipping from end of the continent to another - the seller always assumes the risk of shipping cross-country.

Buyers do not have to - nor does Ebay bother to - take any extenuating circumstance, such as the many snowstorms seen in the northeast this winter - into account on the DSR ratings. When factors outside of the sellers control, such as weather or shipping service errors affect the speed of moving goods sellers are "punished" with low DSR ratings. This often results in the loss of their Top Rated Seller status and over 20% higher fees. For those not aware - if you do not receive a perfect 5-star rating Ebay counts this is negative feedback - even if 100% of all feedback comments left for a seller are positive.

In the list of the many changes, Sellers are no longer allowed to leave anything except Positive Feedback for buyers - regardless of the time it takes for buyers to pay for their purchases or unreasonable expectations. Sometimes a buyer may just be having a bad day - and takes advantage of the abilty to anonymously take it out on someone else.

As a footnote to this, be aware that buyers pay no fees to have an Ebay account or to use the Ebay system. It is the seller, and in particular the Ebay store owner that drives Ebay's business. Seller's pay for their store accounts - and pay all listing and final value (sold) fees.

Those who buy on Ebay are often unaware of how the Ebay system works. They are not educated in the DSR system - and some would probably be shocked and dismayed to know that they are causing real harm to small business people simply trying to earn a living. People with bills to pay, people with families to feed.

Of course, it goes without saying, that there are those buyers on Ebay who make impossible demands - free shipping and get it there in one day - etc. Some buyers are simply guilty of not reading the information provided within a listing and then having unreal expectations as a result.

But I am a true believer that most people are essentially good at heart and simply don't understand the Ebay policies and systems.

There is a wave - growing louder by the moment - of Ebay sellers seeking to force reform and a policy that is fair for all - buyers and sellers. Yesterday, a discussion thread received over 1400 comments. Many sellers are looking to leave Ebay all-together. Those of us with small businesses can not afford the increase in final value fees - as much as 66% in some cases (this fee is the percentage Ebay takes from the seller and is based on total price the item is sold for) - the increase on what were formerly Store-based listings as approximately 12%. Nor can the sellers afford increases in fees veiled as a decrease for listing items, hidden fees charged to sellers for "beta testing" Ebay's new software, etc. Some will open their own e-commerce sites, some may move to Amazon - others are seeking advice from one another as to how to leave Ebay and where to take their businesses.

As someone who first came to Ebay as a buyer - and was thrilled to find savings that could help my own family - or to find that rare item you'd looked everywhere for and could not find - I think that this is a crying shame. The death of Ebay is being brought about by Ebay. Another great idea corrupted by greed and run by those who only take their own profit into account.

But maybe its me.

But I Don't Think it is...

2009-02-05T06:44:00.000-08:00

In A letter posted on Facebook, Bruce Springsteen writes:

A Letter to Our Fans:

We know there was much confusion regarding Ticketmaster and TicketsNow during last Monday's on-sale dates. We were as confused as you were, as we were given no advance notice of the major changes in the Ticketmaster-TicketsNow world. (Bear in mind that we are not clients of any ticketing company, and that all those arrangements are between venues and ticketing companies.)

Last Monday, we were informed that Ticketmaster was redirecting your log-in requests for tickets at face value, to their secondary site TicketsNow, which specializes in up-selling tickets at above face value. They did this even when other seats remained available at face value. We condemn this practice.

We perceive this as a pure conflict of interest. Ticketmaster is there to ensure that we have a good, fair sale of our tickets at their face value plus normal ticketing charges. TicketsNow is supposed to be a secondary site where people who already have tickets may exchange, trade, and, unfortunately, speculate with them. We have asked this redirection from Ticketmaster to TicketsNow cease and desist immediately and Ticketmaster has agreed to do so in the future and has removed its unwanted material from their and our site.

We know the many cynical arguments some make in favor of the Ticketmaster system: There are rumors that some artists or managers participate in Ticketmaster charges--we do not. There are rumors that some artists or managers are receiving a percentage of the amount above face value at secondary outlets like TicketsNow--we do not. Some artists or managers may not perceive there to be a conflict between having the distributor of their tickets in effect "scalping" those same tickets through a secondary company like TicketsNow--we do.

While many of you have sent notes to us and your local promoters, you may also send accurate informational letters to Albert Lopez of Ticketmaster [Albert.Lopez@ticketmaster.com] and he will try to address your questions.

A final point for now: the one thing that would make the current ticket situation even worse for the fan than it is now would be Ticketmaster and Live Nation coming up with a single system, thereby returning us to a near monopoly situation in music ticketing. Several newspapers are reporting on this story right now. If you, like us, oppose that idea, you should make it known to your representatives.

The abuse of our fans and our trust by Ticketmaster has made us as furious as it has made many of you. We will continue to do our utmost now and in the future to make sure that these practices are permanently curtailed on our tours.

Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau and the entire Springsteen Tour Team

To view this go to: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=6551&post=26462&uid=7401700249#/topic.php?uid=7401700249&topic=6551&ref=mf

This fan replies:

To Bruce and Jon -

Thank you for your letter and for taking a stand against the abuse of your fans. I too was shut out of Ticketmaster and forced into TicketsNow - who also sent me an email offering me a 5% discount off tickets raised, in some cases, more than 10 times the face value.

In at least one New Jersey paper, The Record of Bergen County, there have been stories that a Paterson Congressman is calling for an investigation regarding Ticketmaster's practices and it's monopoly. It would seem that there is a clear violation of the Federal Trade Agreement as well as an obvious conflict of interest.

As a long-time devoted fan, I can assure you that I did not consider for a moment that Bruce, E-Street or Jon Landau received any profit from this practice. In fact, I reported this to ABC News and told them that while I certainly have not had the privilege of knowing Bruce Springsteen personally, I could not imagine he would support the robbery of his fans.

I have, fortunately, had the privilege of seeing Bruce live several times. For those who haven't, I can assure you it is very near a religious experience. Every show has it's own unique flavor and each show is exhilarating. There is no doubt that it is worth every penny to attend Bruce's shows, in particular when he performs with E-Street. There is also no doubt that Bruce cares for his fans and puts all that he has into giving each and every audience their monies worth. Often I have come away exhausted, with no voice left - and thrilled every time.

Any Bruce fan worth his salt would give you similar feedback on the experience of seeing this legendary artist live. Every fan of Bruce would tell you that there is no chance at all that Bruce would favor or support the actions of Ticketmaster.

All that I can hope for at this point is that Bruce and E-Street will follow recent tour practices and return to New Jersey at the end of the tour. Hopefully, the issues with TIcketmaster will have been cleared up and those of us who were shut out this time will get lucky then.

As a last comment, I can tell you that if I wanted to pay more than $500 for two people to see Bruce from behind the stage, I would have simply gone to Ebay! Plenty of seats there, as there still appears to be plenty of seats on TicketsNow - so long as you have an income similar to Bruce's to afford it.

Thanks again, Bruce and Jon. It is good to have yet another confirmation of your decency and loyalty to those who are so loyal to you.

Sincerely,
Eileen Miller

For those who wish to join the fight against this practice, see the story in The Record which also provides contact information for those who actually have the power and ability to put a stop to Ticketmaster's illegal and immoral practices.

http://www.northjersey.com/entertainment/music/ticketmasterprobe020509.html

This story also points out that TicketMaster is now working to merge with LiveNation, which creates a monopoly that benefits no one save the coffers of TicketMaster.

Maybe it's me, but I think this is a fight worth fighting. Concerts and other entertainment events should not be solely for the wealthy. It has already become nearly impossible for fans to take their kids to a football game, a hockey game - and baseball is on it's way as well. Add the cost of the tickets, the parking, and the outrageous cost of a dog and a soda, and most of us just give up. In every area of our lives, the working class is struggling. A moment comes for a short reprieve from the struggle, a moment to enjoy a legendary artist - and that working class is taken to the cleaners. While that certainly is not a new situation, the Ticketmaster fiasco is.

This is not an event to sit by and be angry - this is a time to make your voice heard. It is a time for Bruce to make his voice heard, and so he has.

...But Sometimes Things Just Turn Out Right

2009-01-23T06:57:00.000-08:00

It could be me, but sometimes - when you least expect it - something amazing can happen.

In recent days I have seen truly amazing things, not the least of which is America electing a man for who he is and not because of his name or how he looks. This was an answer to my prayers. Finally a leader that I feel I can believe in. Time will tell, and he may not be able to do all the great things he'd like, but I think Barack Obama will mark our history in wonderful ways.

But I digress...

Some of those who know me are aware of the story I am about to share. Some are not. For those of you who may be a little shocked, I apologize. I hope you will understand why I kept things to my self.

I would like to introduce all those who count themselves our friend to Adam Ryan. Adam is my son. He is a wonderful young man, now 22 years old. Adam is a student at Rochester Institute, he is a truly talented guy studying fine art photography. As an aside, I think many would have come to at least know his name through his photos some day. He has a great sense of humor, an amazing view of the world and an astounding open mind. It is my hope that you will all come to know him and welcome him into our lives.

So here's the story:

Some 23 years ago, during my first marriage, we conceived a third child. We were already in financial ruin, and could barely take care of ourselves and Jillian and Christopher, who were still babies. (Let me quickly note here as I have always said, God has a sense of humor, and Adam was conceived despite birth control.)

I had pretty strong beliefs on the issue of abortion and could not consider that notion. But I also had no idea how I was going to be able to care for another baby. It was suggested to us that we consider placing the baby for adoption. Turns out it was a good suggestion.

I can tell you that I never discussed this. Giving Adam up was a source of horrible pain for me. I could not bear to think of him through the shame and guilt I felt all those years. I never wanted anyone to know I had allowed such a terrible thing to happen. To be honest, I was also horrified at what people may think of me - that I would not have the respect of those I love and respect.

Of course, my family has always known. I did not share this with my husband's family until recently - when I had too. When my children were old enough to understand I began to discuss this with them. I would never have sought to find Adam, only he had the right to make that contact -- but I wasn't hiding from him either. There was always a possibility that he may want to find me (if he knew that I existed), though I did not dare to hope for that. I think that, despite how hard this was for me, it may have been harder for Christopher. He has longed to know his little brother for many years. Another reason for me to feel badly. No mother wants to hurt her children.

Last September my estranged mother made a bad decision. She decided to make contact with Adam and to put him in direct contact with Christopher. This was not discussed with me. We were not given a choice. It is a shame to say it, but it was done as an act of vengeance against me because I would not speak to her. (This may help people to understand why it is that I am estranged from my own mother.) Unfortunately, the contact was made under a dishonest story told to Adam's adopted Mom. It was a terrible thing to do and it was done at the risk of ruining lives. Ours and Adams life. We had no knowledge of what Adam did or did not know. I was not even sure if he was aware that he was an adopted child. You can imagine that this turned our world upside down.

We were given direct links to Adam's MySpace page. Though I was nearly hysterical, I could not fight the need to see that page. And there he was, pictures laid out before me of a son I never thought I would see again. I began to read about him and was surprised to see a message posted on his front page: Who I'd like to meet: -my biological parents. This was followed by a request:
Also, should anyone run across someone who looks like me, I would really appreciate you asking his name. If his name is "Christopher Duffy," then you've likely found my long lost brother. Please keep an eye out :). So it turns out that Adam was fully aware.

I knew that he was told we were sent that link. I sent him an email through his MySpace apologizing that the right to open this door had been taken from him (and from me). I received an email in return very quickly. I don't think Adam would mind if I share that with you. It will tell you just how amazing he is:

Eileen, mother,

Please don't apologize. There is no need to. I know you made a promise to not contact me, but I had already begun an investigation to find you. Ironically, this saved me a lot of time. I had always planned on finding you, and after I turned 21 I decided to take it more seriously.

I am not unhappy at all by being contacted. I need you to know that I bear you no ill will. In fact, the reality is quite the opposite. I love you. I care about you greatly.

Never once have I felt hatred for you. Never once have I felt that I was abandoned. It has always been my intention to find you, and if possible, have a relationship with you. I have always believed that you feel the same. The letter you wrote to my mom was all the evidence I needed. I still have that letter by the way. My mom was gracious enough to allow me to keep it, because it has been the only piece of you that I've ever known.

My mom called me a few hours ago, letting me know that my biological grandmother called. I learned some of what has happened since my adoption was made final. I have learned that you are not on speaking terms with my grandmother. I know nothing about what has happened in your (my) family, but please do not hold this against her.

I am excited to speak with you. Please know that it brings me nothing but happiness to think I'm talking with the woman who gave me life.

There are many things we have to say to each other.

-Adam

I think it's easy for anyone who knows me to imagine the tears this letter brought.

We began to email regularly, and that was followed by chatting online. Some months later, when Adam was ready, we finally talked on the phone. Over the Thanksgiving holiday we finally met. Adam, myself, Jillian and Chris spent a long day and night talking, looking at pictures, laughing, and simply getting to know each other.

Those who'd like to see pictures, feel free to check out the albums on my Facebook page.

Adam came again for a visit at Christmas and during that visit met my brothers and sister as well as my parents. I was worried for him that he might feel awkward at first. But if he did, he hid it well. It was a good day to be sure.

Adam is extremely busy at school. We don't get to talk as much as I'd like. Yet I know he will be coming back again in March at his break and look forward to it with happiness.

The point of all of this is to tell you this: even when someone takes your choices away from you, does something designed to hurt you - it just might backfire and turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to you.

I am healing well and after all those years, finally at peace. I know that despite how hard it was, it was truly a good thing. Adam has had an incredible, wonderful life raised by a loving and remarkable woman. She has my heart, always, for the gift she has given in sharing Adam with us.

The Facebook War

2009-01-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's me, but your Facebook status message might just start something...

Note: My friend (TWD) posted a status update on Facebook last night that caused a few of her friends to post comments that left me disappointed and surprised. Needless to say (and those of you who know me, know it's true) I just couldn't let it go...

(I've only placed initials here, in the interest of not publicly embarrassing people.)

TWD: thinks it is totally inappropriate for the people at the to be "booing" the outgoing President Bush!

CCH: Uggh!! People may not have agreed with everything he did or didn't do...but, in my opinion...he did have a rough Presidency (9/11; Katrina; and this economy is the result of another President's actions!!!) I hope Obama can make good on all the promises he's given

GOM: Teresa and Carolyn, you both got it right.. The people who booed GW on this day have no class, and never will..

Eileen: I mean no offense here but when Bill Clinton left office we were realizing a boom economy. 9/11 was badly handled by Bush and Katrina was a disgrace - also a direct result of Bush's inability to react properly for all people instead of just his rich buddies. Not to mention a private war based on lies, impeachable and prosecutable offenses that went unpunished. W goes down in history as the worst president the USA has ever seen and we barely survived him. I dont believe in "booing" any president - but I can understand the sentiment. I understand how you feel but can you at least understand the frustration, loss of homes, jobs, and even loved ones who serve in a war based on lies of those - some 53% of this country - who are not only glad but deeply relieved to see W just GO AWAY - it takes more than this to judge a persons class. It has far more to do with loyalty and patriotism to hold your frustration and not boo. I am faithful to my country, my soldiers and my fellow middle class "folks". I did not "boo", but I did shed tears of relief that we somehow made it through his horrible administration. Name one decent and HONEST thing that man did. BTW is your phone bugged?

DB: There shouldnt be any booing in that setting. He is leaving the Position. I didnt like him, but I give him the respect that the position demands. Short term he kept our country safe. I truly believe it was his evil supporting staff that led Bush down the wrong paths.

GOM: Is there a fox like left channel for the democrats I don't know about?
talking point's anyone? rose colored glasses for all. Is BO a DIETY or JUST another democrat? history will tell. If he's the later were in big trouble! Keep bashing GW its good practice for the future..

Eileen: Okay, I NEVER watch Fox and I am married to a newspaper editor. I don't think anyone here claimed our President is among the Gods. Why is it that the right wing never admits to it's errors? That's a good case of rose colored glasses for you. No one needs to wait for the future to bash GW. Take a good look around you. And furthermore, it's "latter" not "later". I guess you wanted that fool Palin in office too! PS - gave you plenty of talking points which I notice you have no answer for...
(It should be noted here that Fox is not "news" and is so far right-leaning that no decent democrat would watch anyway.)

GOM: yings alll goood rounddd heree every ting loooks goood tanks fer da speiin lessoon.... I get GW bad !obama will save the world. And I hope he does. No other president has ever promised what Obama has ,I mean its about time.really no other?

Eileen: Case closed... obviously. And here I was hoping for an intelligent argument.

GOM: You WIN Eileen next to impossible to defend GW.HOWEVER there is no excuse for booing GW On his last day NONE! Well there is one excuse no class......case closed. Teresa 's point about the booing is what I was responding to... Good or bad he served this country.. case closed..

Eileen: As I said earlier, I do not believe in booing a president, any president - and you are right, they serve this country in an office that should be respected. However, I will not refer to those who did as "classless". Again, it has nothing to with class. I don't know you but I wonder how the GW presidency affected you or those you care about. Many have lost all they worked for or someone they love, which is of course, far more important. I can have empathy for them and not insult them by referring to them as classless. Again, no offense, but it felt like you were escalating it to the insult level. I don't sit still for that, especially when the insult is hurled in my direction. Teresa is one of my dearest friends, as is Joe - and a big part of that is that we all have the ability to see different points of view. That's why it's called "opinion". We all get to have one. God bless America. I hope you will show the same respect for our current president.

GOM: was not insulting you Eileen, and if I did I'm sorry. I guess some, OK a lot of people feel GW did "no good" And I believe he did some good? Eileen I did not vote for GW the second time a round And wish he had lost that election. I will respect BO, and if half of what he talks about happens better for us. The expectations are very high and if he's just another politician the damage will be much worse than anything GW did. And I guess that scares me.

JMG: Eileen, Thank you for speaking for the soldiers and their families. I assume you most have some close family members and friends who have been affected by the War on Terrorisms for the last 19 years as Garry indeed does! He has taken me into his home during a high risk pregnancy while my husband fought terrorisms! He has watched me fight a disease alone while my husband ran for cover on Christmas in a sandy land! He has heard my stories of the wounded I spent time with while my son was a patient at Walter Reed Army Hospital. The funny thing is most of the people who are directly affect by it are not the one complaining, the widows are proud of what their Hero’s have done and we applaud our Commander in Chief. The out going and the in coming. Its called respect. PS. You would be surprise what you would hear about the people over “there” and we have done for them and not just the war. I am proud to say my husband is known as “Mr. Uncle Doug” to children who once thought all American’s are evil. Thank you GW!! Spell Check please as my hubby is away again and he usually does it for me!

Eileen: Hi Jennifer - I am an Army brat whose father served this country for 36 years. In a few weeks my Dad will be honored at a military ball in South Jersey as he has been named Executive Officer for our retired military personnel. I am extremely proud of my father's service - and of all servicemen and women. While they may not always agree with what they are sent to do - they serve with dignity and honor. They are a blessing to us all - including the men, women and children in foreign lands that are lucky enough to meet them and be served by them.

I would like to add here that I would not dare to speak for the military service men and women or their families. I will defend them to the end but can't speak for their feelings. I do not think that I attempted to offer their opinions... merely my own.

JMG: God Bless your father. Again let the people military personnel speak for themselves they can and do. Most I know are sick of people speaking on how the war is affecting them and their family. We know how it affects us now as you know how your father’s time affected you. We can also get out we we're not drafted. I know they are at times calling people back now but they knew what they signed up for, if they didn’t shame on their parents. I say WE because when I married my husband my Marine Corp. Korean Vet father let me know what I was signing up for.

Eileen: Hi Jennifer. I'd just like to add that I don't think it's necessary to thank "W" for what your husband and the many service personnel have done in Iraq or Afghanistan. I think we should thank your husband and the others. It is them who make Americans look good. W has done little to garner respect in or out of America, but has done plenty to damage it. The people of our country, and hopefully our new president, are now in charge of our destiny and worldwide opinion of us.

GOM: My COPY Editor neighbour just lost his job. Filled me in how bad the newspaper business is doing. He said the internet has destroyed the paper business.Eileen you came to mind so asked him ,if GW was to blame for his layoff ,and he said yes??? Hope all is well at your husbands paper. Did people stop buying papers because of the bad economy? Your father served, thank him for me. And plz if you haven't already ask him what he thinks about booing the out going president on inauguration day.

JMG: Being President is not an easy job, especially at a time of war and trouble. I believe the Bushes are good people regardless of what I think of his policies and I Thank him and his Family for their Service to OUR Country as I thank your father and any other Vet. No one wants blood on their hands. Have read any presidents memoirs? It’s easy to judge the job we think they’ve done without all the facts. I know from folks who have been over sea’s that not all the facts are reported. I know form personal experience this too. I know this.. Since 9/11 we have not been attacked again, I know we have people who have wanted to. So someone did something right. Let’s hope it stays that way. Eileen you are a gifted writer please make use of your Dad’s ID card and go to Walter Reed and see the Soldiers there ask them how it makes them feel when they read the story’s about “them” in the papers. And write about it. Thanks. eresa Thanks for the space!
I’m done here Thanks for the space! God Bless America that we can all have different opinions and share them. No matter how they make other people feel. There are place’s in the world people get shot for that. Sad but true. I am glad my husband is willing to put his life on line so everyone can have the American Dream of talking bad about there leader and living to tell about it! Democracy Rocks!

Eileen: Hi Garry - thanks for your comment. My husband (Gary) and I both count ourselves blessed that we have held ours jobs and home in a time when so many havent. Newspapers are hit badly - but the hit the take is due to lack of ad sales (a direct result of the economy) not because people stop buying the paper. I will pass on your thanks to my Dad with pleasure - and I can tell you that his teachings are the reason that - regardless of my feelings - I would not boo any president. He would never approve of that.

Eileen: Hi Jennifer - Thank you very much. Yes, I have read presidential memiors and I know it's a terrible job that takes a terrible toll on the men who have held it. It is good that we all have a chance to express opinions and share ideas - and no doubt Democracy Rocks - Hard Core! I am sorry if my opinion hurts your feelings - but I can not support W, in writing or in person. I stand by what I've said. No other president in history has done so much to break laws and violate civil rights. Clinton was up for impeachment for a sexual act - W got away with far too much more than that. Anyway, thanks again - and thanks to you "T" - ya know I love ya!

I struggle to understand how -- on what may have been the most historic day in our lifetimes -- that a handful of hecklers booing the outgoing president is what someone would take from the day.

I sat with new grandson in my arms and watched an incredible man make history. I don't mind admitting that I was among those with tears of joy in my eyes and great pride in my heart. I will tell Brody when he is older how he watched America come full circle in my lap. I will tell him how we put his hand over his heart and stood proud to hear the national anthem. I will tell him how that day was met with so much relief. Millions watched with joyous tears and hearts full of hope. That's worth remembering.

A Prayer for My Country

2008-11-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

I woke up early this morning, and as I do each working day, I turned on Good Morning America. I looked out the window to see just what kind of day it might be. A misty fog had settled over my suburban New Jersey neighborhood, but the morning was warm despite the calendar. Through the fog I could see the crowds of cars and people across the street at our middle school - the polling place in our section of town. On the television, aerial shots of long lines of voters all over the country. America speaks and her voice is clear and strong.

I find that I have, ever the patriot, tears in my eyes. There is no greater pride in my country than on a day such as this. Can you feel it? History is being made before our eyes today. Perhaps, more important, hope in a better day seems to surround us. Faith in our ideals - those that founded our nation - and faith in this process of choosing a leader seem more alive than I have ever witnessed.

So I sat down to pray. I prayed for my country. I prayed for myself and my family, and every other family all across this country who are facing so much despair and hard times. I prayed for change, because Lord, we really need it now.

I prayed for Barack Obama and his family. They will need their strength today. Yesterday, Barack lost his grandmother, the woman who raised him. I find it really sad that she passed one day before she would have the chance to see her grandson achieve a shining moment in history that no other man will claim. I find it sad that she will not stand with him as he takes the oath of the greatest office in our land. I prayed that his grief would not be suffered alone, but that he will be embraced by all Americans who know what it is to lose someone they love.

I prayed for his courage to remain the pillar we have come to know and respect. I prayed for God to protect him and guide him as seeks to lead us forward to a much better life.

I went over to the school, stood in line that was slightly longer than usual - and I cast my vote. And with that vote felt hope stir inside me for the first time in eight long years. I could not help but smile as I drove on to the working day ahead.

A great quote...

Many years ago I met my husband at the small town newspaper where we both worked. It was a small, but fun and nutty little group that made up the staff. And like any newsroom, ours could sometimes get out of hand - and often over politics. My husband was the managing editor at the time and amidst the sometimes heated debates he calmly sat at his desk editing this story or that, just doing the job. You'd think he was oblivious to the raised voices - but you'd be wrong. He missed nothing and when he had heard enough, he would calmly stand up and point people in the right direction. Argument over - just as simple as that.

A co-worker once referred to him as "the island of calm in a sea of insanity". I thought it was a true compliment. And I think I understand it better now than I did then.

I have thought of that statement often in reference to Barack Obama. His steady head and hand in dealing with two years of a very nasty hard road are impressive. All around him, voices raised in anger and, often in dishonesty. Accusations and outright lies, all designed to keep you and I from seeing the little man behind the curtain. Through it all, Obama has never lost his scruples nor his calm. It seems to me that his demeanor has helped me to curb my own anger at the usual suspects and their usual tactics. His dignity has caused me to take a closer look at my own attitude and behavior - and to strive to be better than I was before.

That says a lot for a man. I can easily count those who have come into my life, directly or indirectly, who have come to ask me just who I am and who I want to be. My father, my husband, my god-parents, my own children, a handful of remarkable friends - directly. Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and JFK among those whose teachings have touched me and asked me to take a closer look - indirectly.

Now I am faced with this good man, Barack Obama, and he asks me a question I thought my heart would never whisper again. "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can for your country". John F. Kennedy spoke those words just before I was born. He wanted to change the world. All too sadly he was taken from us before his time and we never saw the shining America he envisioned.

Barack Obama will today be given that same chance - to change the world. And it's something he can do, believes in and asks all of us to believe in once again. And so I pray...

One Long Week

2008-10-28T16:29:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's me...
but I think it's going to be a very long week.

Okay, so technically it can not be a long week. A week is, as it will always be, seven days. It just seems like the wait until next Tuesday is going to feel a lot longer. I feel a Steve Martin line coming on, but I will restrain myself.

I have been on hiatus for a bit. Anyone who knows me will tell you, I am a sports fan. Well anyone except my daughter who seems to be convinced I only watch for my husband's sake. But the truth is I love hockey and football - I enjoy the wait for Martin Brodeur to write his name on a record no one else might ever touch. I yell a little each week when the Eagles don't play as well as I think they can.

But, ah, then there is baseball. I have been a lifelong, die-hard fan of the Phillies since Mike Schmidt's rookie year. Of all sport and all sports teams - this is my passion. I will tell you that it caused me true pain to turn off the playoff games in favor of the presidential debates - but hey - we gotta keep our priorities, right? Well, that team of teams, my own Philadelphia Phillies, have made the last week both exciting and long for me. The wait until tomorrow night when we will, hopefully, resume play of the World Series, also seems horribly long. As any long-time Fightin' Phils fan will tell you, it ain't over till the fat lady sings - and we've heard that bitch sing for the other side too many times. We don't count the chicken before it's hatched but we're sitting on the golden egg. Maybe there's some lucky number magic in the '80, '08 thing - but I am still praying that God is a Phillies fan.

Tomorrow, my eyes and my heart will be completely focused on the World Series. That being said, I am taking tonight - a rain out - as a moment to return to my public venting and therapy session.

Much of this week will be filled with lies and nonsense. There will be more political ads on your television screen than you think you can bear. There will be more endorsements, some well put and some sounding as phony as those who will grant them. We've endured two years of pounding, brutal campaigning. Maybe it's me, but it seems like the campaigns get longer each time there is a presidential election. Perhaps the new president will start his re-election campaign in February and we can just start thinking of campaign ads as the new daily norm, a bit like your coffee, just a little more bitter.

This week we've heard more allegations on the conduct of Sarah Palin, a $150,000 budget for clothing loudest among them. I must admit I ask myself how in hell do you spend $20,000 on makeup? How do you charge your state $17,000 to live in your own house? If you're such a maverick, try Mayor Bloomberg's line of thought - by law alone does he accept a $1 salary. He turned the rest back to the city because, hey, he didn't need the money. Can anyone explain to hard working people who believed in McCain enough to donate their money to his campaign how that money could have been used to make Sarah Palin and her family look pretty? That kind of thinking doesn't fly very well in a time when most people can't afford a gallon of milk. It's the same bullshit that got us where we are right now.

I find it amusing that she can sum up the gumption to call for Alaska Senator Ted Stevens to resign. Amidst her own allegations or misuse of her office, misuse of campaign funds and state monies it seems like a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

Palin of course took no questions, but made another sentence-less statement:

“The verdict shines a light on the corrupting influence of the big oil service company up there in Alaska that was allowed to control too much of our state. And that control was part of the culture of corruption that I was elected to fight, and that fight must always move forward regardless of party affiliation or seniority or even past service.
“As Governor of the State of Alaska, I will carefully now monitor the situation and I’ll take any appropriate action as needed. In the meantime, I ask the people of Alaska to join me in respecting the workings of our judicial system and I’m confident that Senator Stevens from this point on will do the right thing for the people of Alaska.”

Obviously, McCain and Palin are looking for a way to put the spotlight of bad behavior anywhere but on themselves.

Yep, it's going to be a long week - and as hard as it will be to filter the truth out of the muck, we will have to stay strong. Something tells me that the lies will be easier to spot, but the truth is worth searching for every time.

There is one moment in time I do expect to enjoy this week (besides a pennant - I hope and pray) and that is tomorrow night on The Daily Show. Barack Obama is the guest and I know Jon Stewart will make it interesting. Yea, I know Obama is going after the youth vote. That goes without saying - but the fact is he doesn't really have to try hard. Recent polls show him far ahead of McCain in that category. What also goes without saying is that we shouldn't be surprised. The kids are a little more open-minded and what we do now is their burden to bear.

They want change and they are willing to fight for it. The youth in our country is expected to turn out in record numbers. Recently, I heard a great news report on ABC 6 out of Philadelphia stating that a group of students at Penn State had started a movement on campus. They gave up their voter registration in their home states and registered to vote in Pennsylvania. They are urging others to do the same - the idea being that there vote just might mean a lot more in a state (or Commonwealth, as the fact may be) that McCain hopes to upset in. Rest assured that what they are doing is perfectly legal - and absolutely ingenious.

What will remain on my mind over the next seven days is the right to vote, why we vote and - most importantly - why we choose who we vote for. I've spoken in previous writings about this subject. I fear that close-minded and fear-filled people will choose a man based on his skin color rather than his ability to lead and his character. We are in desperate need of change, but the fact is that changes scares the hell out of people.

This morning it was reported that there was a murder plot to kill Barack Obama. The suspects were apprehended and the plan was thwarted - but it still made me both angry and sad. It is not any great love for their country that caused these young men to make such plans. The fact that they would add innocent children to their killing goal lies way to their ideology. Hate alone drove their thinking. Nothing is certain about next Tuesday, hate and fear still drive too many thoughts in too many minds.

I listened to Tim Robbins on Real Time with Bill Maher this week reminding us all that this is not "in the bag". Your vote really counts this time. Robbins also spoke of suspicions that there are those will attempt to sabotage voters and polling places and asked for diligence from right-thinking people not to stand by and say nothing. Good advice.

There is a lot at stake for all of us. I have no plan to tell anyone who they should vote for. I share my opinion, but the right to vote and the privacy of that vote is something I believe in with my whole heart. All I ask is that you think it through. Choose wisely, and please, choose for the right reasons. And remember the favor I have asked you before - vote or shut up.

Wanted: Idealist Patriot Seeks Leader

2008-10-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's me, but...
I feel pretty certain that being an idealist and a patriot is still a good thing.

Patriot: –noun

a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.

a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, esp. of individual rights...

Idealist: –noun

a person who cherishes or pursues high or noble principles, purposes, goals, etc.

a person who represents things as they might or should be rather than as they are.

Sounds good to me.

I feel a true obligation, if not an outright need, to put my hand over my heart when I hear the national anthem. Cut me open, I bleed red, white, and blue. And, perhaps it's my upbringing as the daughter of a U.S. Army Sergeant, but I get pissed at ball games when men don't remove their hats when that anthem is played - or when people are too busy talking to even pay attention. Maybe it's me, but shouldn't we still - by example - teach our kids to have pride in and respect for the country they live in - even in it's beautiful imperfect state? I am a liberal but I also believe in love it or leave it. Maybe I just interpret that a bit differently than the old south definition. To me, it means, work for it (aka vote), respect it, treat it with some dignity or move on.

I believe that it is my civic duty to vote. I am pretty sure that it is still my duty to serve my country as a civilian, and I still feel that it should be seen as an honor. And in that spirit, I absolutely believe that is mine - and everyone else's - duty to pay their fair share of taxes. Too many people seem to feel that they have a right to take the milk and honey without paying for it. Too many seem to follow the "me first" line.

Being a patriot and a citizen also means that I have a right to protest what's not right about my country and it's government. I have, thank goodness, the right to elect officials whose ideals and policies I feel are right and fire those who do my country disservice. It's power and privilege - and it's called a vote.

Being an idealist means that I believe we should always work to better who we are as a people and a nation. We should recognize what's broken and work together to fix it. We should practice fairness in all things. We should practice human decency and acceptance of one another instead of just tolerance. We should learn from our mistakes.

I am proud that every one of us has the right to speak our minds, but I am fed up with politicians who use their soapbox in all the wrong ways. And I am also frustrated by journalists who don't practice the most basic of ethics of journalism. A good journalist does not present bias as fact.

Journalists should:
— Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
— Examine their own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.
— Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.
— Support the open exchange of views, even views they find repugnant.

I hear (mostly from the conservative right) nothing but fear mongering and hate. I don't feel that Mr. McCain has, in straight talk, told me anything solid about what he plans to do to lead our country out of the darkness the present administration has cultivated. Someone in the White Hose switched off all the lights, and I don't think Mr. McCain knows where the switch is. What's worse is that I am fairly certain Ms. Palin does not know what a switch is.

After watching Real Time with Bill Maher this week whose guests included Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal, I have come to a new realization regarding the Republican conservative right. Is it me or do they all react as if someone told them a joke when they are handed facts that refute their often ridiculous claims? Aren't these "folks" - most of which have been afforded the best of education at our finest schools - capable of the intelligence an open mind affords? Seems that, as a general rule, they are so busy assuring themselves that they are right - they can't see the forest for the trees.

I got the sense that Moore took a clue in manners from McCain. As we all have heard, McCain displayed the ignorance that is rudeness, referring to Barack Obama as "that one". During the show, each time Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) attempted to speak, Moore rudely interrupted. At one point Moore accused Ms. Waters of having accepted campaign monies from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, then refused to give her the opportunity to answer those accusations. I would point Mr. Moore to a readily available website. He may be unaware that journalists have a specific code of ethics.
see: http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

I felt it ironic and interesting that when Bill Maher asked Mr. Moore to explain to the audience what ACORN is, and what the acronym stands for, Moore looked to Ms. Waters to answer the question - at which point Ms. Waters told Moore if he didn't know what it was he probably shouldn't be talking about it. Bravo Ms. Waters. And, of course, that begs the question - why doesn't a Wall Street Journal writer know what ACORN is?

I don't think I am alone in my worry about that the state of the nation or my humble place in it. I think that I am among millions who are hurting and who are desperate for a leader who can provide not only ideas, but ideals - and real solutions for most of us. I don't think that the other 99 percent of us feel that only the top 1% should find relief in a leader.

Wanted: Idealist Patriot Seeks Leader
Mr. Obama, you're hired.

Maybe It's Me?: What's Up With Fox News?

2008-10-10T21:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.northjersey.com/news/nationalpolitics/30733479.html

What's Up With Fox News?

2008-10-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's me, but...

I had the television on tonight and heard Fox News teasing a "developing story" regarding Sarah Palin. So, despite knowing better, I left the channel unchanged.

And the developing story? Well, they report that Sarah Palin is under investigation for her ethics in firing the states top law enforcement officer, Walt Mongean.

Ahh... has the Fox News team been out of the country over the last several weeks? Could be me but I am fairly sure I have heard about this before. I think, yes, maybe - it was covered by every major news market as early as September 2?

You know what I thought was actually "breaking news"? The Record yesterday reported that the GOP declared Palin "innocent" ahead of the Alaska ethics report. Hmmm...

Matt Apuzzo of the Associated Press writes:
see: http://www.northjersey.com/news/nationalpolitics/30733479.html

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Trying to head off a potentially embarrassing state ethics report on GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, campaign officials released their own report Thursday that clears her of any wrongdoing.

Sen. John McCain's running mate is the subject of a legislative investigation into whether she abused her power as governor by firing her public safety commissioner. The commissioner, Walter Monegan, says he was fired in July for resisting pressure from Palin's husband, Todd Palin, and top aides to fire state trooper Mike Wooten, Palin's former brother-in-law.

Lawmakers are expected to release their own findings today. Campaign officials have yet to see that report — the result of an investigation that began before she was tapped as McCain's running mate — but said the investigation has falsely portrayed a legitimate policy dispute between a governor and her commissioner as something inappropriate.

"The following document will prove Walt Monegan's dismissal was a result of his insubordination and budgetary clashes with Governor Palin and her administration," campaign officials wrote. "Trooper Wooten is a separate issue."

Monegan said Thursday that he doesn't know what to expect from the legislative panel's own report.

"I just hope that the truth is figured out," Monegan told The Associated Press on Thursday. "That the governor did want me to fire him, and I chose to not."

Palin's critics say that shows she used her office to settle family affairs.

"When you're the governor, you leave your household hat at home and you become governor," said state Senate President Lyda Green, a Republican who has frequently clashed with Palin.

The campaign's report blames a former campaign opponent, Andrew Halcro, who has a blog, of conspiring with Wooten to pin Monegan's dismissal on the family's dispute with Wooten. Three days after Monegan was fired, they say, Wooten told his ex-wife, Palin's sister: "You guys are going down. Get ready for the show."

Two days after that confrontation, they say, Halcro and Wooten met at a hotel bar in Anchorage for more than three hours — and that evening, Halcro posted the first accusations on his blog that Monegan had been fired because of a Palin family vendetta against Wooten.

Did the McCain machine have or use any solid evidence in creating this report of innocence? Or, more likely, are they just making it up as they go along?

I think to myself, with a chuckle, perhaps they should have properly vetted Sarah Palin -- or at least-- shouldn't they have gotten to know the women? It's been reported that McCain will occasionally rush headlong into something and "deal with the consequences later". Well, that's a comfort. Considering the blunder of his choice in a VP running mate, just exactly what might he "rush into" as president? Leaving us to deal with the consequences.

Where does the GOP get off releasing a report that Palin is innocent before the official report is released from Alaska?

To quote a pretty smart guy I know very well... "Isn't that sort of like Nixon pardoning himself?"

Parenthood

2008-10-10T17:25:00.000-07:00

There is a great deal more to life than politics, and occasionally, I will want to talk about other topics.

Tonight, more so than usual, I am thinking about my children. I am thinking about my relationship with each of my children. They are, in many ways, very much alike but they are also unique in just as many. So too is my relationship with them. That being said, I’d like to share a few thoughts on parenthood.

I do not believe that we appreciate our parents fully until we become parents ourselves. We don’t understand their worries, their struggles on our behalf. We don’t understand the fierce depth of their love. We are certain that they don’t understand us at all. Then comes the moment that they hold their child in their arms for the first time. And for the first time, they feel that unbelievable rush of overwhelming love that no one can explain truly - even after they have been there. And they begin to get it.

On being a mother, I have all too often felt the need to apologize to my Mom and Dad (and did) for all the sleepless nights I surely must have caused them. Because I finally got it. Being a parent is the dirtiest job in the world. No job will cause you more pain or more stress – and no job will give you as much joy. Our children are our legacy and our greatest reward.

I think I became a better daughter as a mother. I learned to truly look at my parents, to see them as people first. Before my Dad became my Dad, he was just a guy. He was someone’s son and someone’s husband and an American soldier. He was young and he was not perfect (even if he was pretty awesome). I had to figure out the obvious – when my parents became my parents they did not suddenly become perfect. They did not suddenly know all that there was to know about life, and certainly not all that they needed to know to be parents. It gave me more than just a better understanding, it gave me a better kind of love for them. I learned to love who they were apart from their children.

Now, my children are adults and one of them is also now a parent. My hope is that they know, or will know, that before I was their Mom – I was just a girl. Literally. I was very young when I became a mother. And God only knows I surely knew nothing about being perfect beyond knowing I never could be.

I think the hospital staff forgot to give me the handbook when I brought them home. I learned along the way (just like every parent does) and I know for sure that I made mistakes. My only regret is that some of my mistakes came back to hurt them (and me). Though I look at them now and I feel it’s safe to say I did a pretty good job. They are wonderful, smart, talented, and passionate young people. They have good lives and good friends. Each in their way, they have done and will do good things with their lives. I take great pride in their accomplishments and abilities and look forward to what’s to come for them. Because I know my work here is never really done.

My life will always be, to some degree, defined by simply being their mother though I lead a life outside of theirs, and I don’t live vicariously through them. I have watched them exceed my own dreams and I am pretty sure that they are (at least a little) smarter than me. It makes me smile to know they would agree, but it also helps me sleep at night. Isn’t that what every parents wants: better for their children than the life that they led?

I hope that, now that they are fully grown, they come to me more as a person – apart from being their mother. And I hope that they like that person they see. Away from them, I have a career and a very good life as wife to a wonderful man. I am a daughter to my Mom and Dad, and sister to five brothers and a sister, I am a friend to others – and now a grandmother to a beautiful little boy. And I hope that they know, I’m still not perfect. I am going to make mistakes. And like them, I hope that I keep learning from the mistakes. That I keep striving to always be a better person first, which will always make me a better mother.

I hope that we will see each for who we are as people and accept each other for all our weaknesses as well as our strengths.

I hope that they know that the only thing I can claim as perfect is my love for them, unconditional love beyond words I might find to put down on paper. My Mom and Dad taught me that - and their love for me is perfect too.

Straight Talk

2008-10-09T14:45:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's me, but...
Isn’t it time for a little “straight talk” about Sarah Palin?

I find it disturbing that John McCain chose her as a running mate having met her only once, and it would appear that she was not vetted for this nation’s second highest job.

In light of the material stated below, I find it terrifying to think that Sarah Palin may hold any elected office – let alone a position that could put her in direct sight of the presidency. Read on, then tell me, can you put any faith in this person?

When you are aware of the fact that McCain had met Sarah Palin only once prior to selecting her as a running mate, is there any way that you can deny why she was chosen? Sarah Palin was selected for one reason only -she is a reasonably presentable woman who might pull the Hilary Clinton voters. It’s a transparent effort on behalf of a very typical – and very dangerous - politician.

As reported by Mark Murray on August 29, 2008 on the MSNBC website.
See: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/29/1307122.aspx

The tick-tock from McCain communications director Jill Hazelbaker:
"John McCain first met Governor Sarah Palin at the National Governors Association meeting in Washington in February of 2008 and came away extraordinarily impressed. John McCain followed her career and admired her tenacity and her many accomplishments."

And among her accomplishments?

Abusing her office to avenge her sister –
“In naming her as his vice presidential running mate Friday, Sen. John McCain hailed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as “someone who has fought against corruption.” But Palin is under two ethics investigations springing from accusations that she abused her office to pursue a personal grudge.”

The investigations are reviewing the same accusation: that she dismissed the state’s top law enforcement official (Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan ) because of his refusal to fire a state trooper in a dispute that predated her election in 2006.

Monegan told NBC affiliate KTUU of Anchorage that he thought it was likely that he had been dismissed because he resisted pressure from Palin’s staff and husband to fire the trooper, who was involved in a bitter custody battle with the governor’s sister after their divorce in 2005.

Redecorating her office with public money –
(See: http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10506822?source=rss)
“... she broke the law by spending $55,000 of road maintenance funds, without the {city} council's permission.

"When I braced her about that, her response, and I will never forget it, is 'I'm the mayor and I can do anything I want until the courts say I can't,'" he (Nick Charney} recalls.

Political debts;
Carney watched as Palin fired many of the long-serving city employees, including the librarian, police chief and museum manager. She hired the former lawyer for the Alaska Republican Party to be the new city attorney. He said she was simply repaying political debts.

"Always, her first question is: 'How is this decision going to affect me and my administration. It was never, 'Is this the best thing for the city of Wasilla?'" said Carney.

The McCain campaign defends Palin's tenure as mayor and boasted of her accomplishments.

Religious beliefs and banning books?
see: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1837918,00.html
Stein says that as mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy at times. "She asked the library how she could go about banning books," he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. "The librarian was aghast." That woman, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn't be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving "full support" to the mayor.

Couric v. Palin: Huh?
See: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/24/eveningnews/main4476173.shtml
Couric asked about the $700 billion government bailout of bad debt - and whether she supports it.

Palin: I'm all about the position that America is in and that we have to look at a $700 billion bailout. And as Sen. McCain has said unless this nearly trillion dollar bailout is what it may end up to be, unless there are amendments in Paulson's proposal, really I don't believe that Americans are going to support this and we will not support this. The interesting thing in the last couple of days that I have seen is that Americans are waiting to see what John McCain will do on this proposal. They're not waiting to see what Barack Obama is going to do. Is he going to do this and see what way the political wind's blowing? They're waiting to see if John McCain will be able to see these amendments implemented in Paulson's proposal.

Couric: I'm just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you.

Does this woman know how to put together a sentence? These are the days when I wish for a candidate that reminds me of Jed Bartlett, or Andrew Sheppard – and I see that promise in Barack Obama. Simple decency... integrity... honesty... honor... these are the most important qualities in any man, but I will demand them from my president.

“Being President of this country is entirely about character”
- Andrew Sheppard (The American President, 1995)

“America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free".”
- Andrew Sheppard (The American President, 1995)

"With the clothes on their backs they came through a storm, and those that didn't die want a better life. And they want it here. Talk about impressive. My point is this: Break's over."
-Josiah Barlett, The West Wing

As for Sarah Palin... my general feeling is this:
"Could I have a couple of aspirin, or a weapon of some kind to kill people with?"
-Josiah Barlett, The West Wing

Enough of That One

2008-10-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's me, but...

I have already heard and read enough reports of McCain referring to Barack Obama as "that one". I found it disrespectful too. I also thought it was a foolish error on McCain's part (so thanks, John - you only help my cause). But, come on, what did you expect?

Weren't there more important things said on both sides last night? No matter who you are or what your affiliation may be, you had to have learned something about the candidates last night. What some of their plans are, what their general demeanor and attitudes might be?

There were things said last night that left me far more disturbed than "that one". Truths were twisted, outright lies re-told. To tell you the truth, the word I found most disturbing was "maybe" - and perhaps it disturbed me more coupled with the smile and the wink.

Maybe is a word we've heard a lot in the last eight years. Come to think of it, often with a smile and a wink. And, could someone please refresh my memory - isn't that supposed to be the "straight talk express"? Sounds like more of the same old, same old. I think we know where that has gotten us.

I am wondering tonight what is humorous, or even entertaining, to John McCain about Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. What's so funny about Osama bin Laden?

I also find myself wondering why McCain would attack Barack Obama for wanting to talk - to use peace-keeping methods first - when it comes to Iran. Or why he would attack Obama for stating - in straight talk - that of course he would go after bin Laden - if Pakistan is unable or unwilling. Why attack a man who states that healthcare is a right? If that is what Barack Obama believes, isn't it straight talk to say it? Don't most Americans feel that decent, affordable healthcare that doesn't benefit only big insurance companies is our right?

Don't you have to question why John McCain would put a spending freeze on everything - except Defense and Veteran's services? Now, don't get me wrong here - I love my country and while I have never supported the illegal offenses taken in Iraq - I absolutely support the armed services. My father is one of those veteran's, retired and on a pension. He served my country for 30+ years and I am very proud of him. It's safe to say I whole-heartedly support veteran's rights. But, tonight, I am wondering about everything and everyone else not cared for in John McCain's spending freeze.

A friend says he thought McCain came off as "smarmy", and I agree. I found his constant use of the words "my friends" to be condescending. I once again felt that a slick politician spoke to me believing he is far smarter than me, and little old citizen me could not possibly understand the intricacies of domestic or foreign policy, let alone economics.

All in all, I don't know if I can say there is a winner. What is the ruler we measure the win with? But I left it feeling that Barack Obama attacked only when necessary. I felt that Mr. Obama attempted to use his time for us to get to know him. Perhaps what I took most from the entire thing is this - he remained steady in his answers, his demeanor was one of dignity. I felt that Barack made sense, even when he did not have a choice but to attack. Not only did he maintain his self-respect, but he was never disrespectful of his opponent, of the moderator or of the process.

Today, from the Obama camp - there is only one thing I can say I find a little bothersome. I don't want to hear about the Keating 5 - it's ancient history. Just as a radical neighbor of Barack Obama is also ancient history. I hope that the Obama campaign folks lay off that. I don't honestly see how it helps us.

And just one last thing... if you live in Chicago, aren't you even just a little bit insulted that if John McCain needed guidance, he certainly would never ask a Chicago politician?

My Friends

2008-10-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's me, but...

Dear John McCain,

I am not your friend.

I'd prefer to be introduced before becoming "friends".

I count among my friends people who, first and foremost, actually know me. Those people I call "friend" are people that I can truly trust. People who understand me, people I understand - people I can relate to. People I can have faith in. I am careful about choosing friends. While I am always open to meeting people and getting to know them, I don't throw the word "friend" around lightly. In my 45 years of being alive, I've come to believe most people feel the same.

I think friends can come to mean as much as, if not more so, than family. We choose our friends, family is a gift we can not exchange.

Love among friends is rare and should be treasured.

I don't choose to be friends only with those who share my views. As I have said in a previous writing - I love an open exchange of ideas. Those I call friend come from every walk of life, every possible description, and from all political standpoints. That's a conscious decision, because I happen to think if we were all the same life would be pretty boring.

I do, however, think it's important that we have some things in common. What I know I have in common with each and every one of my friends is respect for each other and absolute trust in each other. That's something my father taught me - and he served our country all of his life too.

Based solely on that, I could never choose you for a friend Mr. McCain. Please address me by my name.

p.s. - I expected that you would waste much of my time tonight with negative rhetoric as opposed to actually answering questions posed by my fellow citizens. Thanks for not disappointing me.

An Attack of Desperation

2008-10-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

Maybe its me, but...

I am fed up with negative political campaign ads. What purpose does this serve? Does John McCain believe he will, somewhow, look better - smarter - by running down Barack Obama?

Seems to me, as it always has, this behavior is right out of the school yard. It's childish and I could be wrong but I think that most intelligent American adults would agree. Do political campaigners feel that we, as a people, are so foolish as to choose our candidate based on something that one man might have done or said years ago, or a slight affiliation to someone who did? I am horrified to think any adult with a brain would be caught up in that nonsense.

We are about to enter the home stretch of this campaign. It's safe to say that if the McCain-Palin machine has its way, it's going to get pretty ugly from here until election day. See Adam Nagourney's piece in the NY Times today, Campaigns Shift to Attack Mode on Eve of Debate.

To quote the piece: "Mr. McCain made clear on Monday that he wanted to make the final month of the race a referendum on Mr. Obama’s character, background and leadership — a polite way of saying he intends to attack him on all fronts and create or reinforce doubts about him among as many voters as possible. And Mr. Obama’s campaign signaled that it would respond in kind, setting up an end game dominated by an invocation of events and characters from the lives of both candidates."

According to that article Barack Obama is leaving it to his surrogates to mount a counter attack, at least so far and on the Keating 5. I hope (and believe) he feels as many of us do - he just doesn't see the purpose. His values and ideals allow him to understand that in attacking the opponent you do little to gain our respect. I applaude his decision to maintain his morals.

For the sake of everyone's sanity, let's just Sarah Palin out of it. If John McCain were smart, he would ask Tina Fey to step in on her behalf whenever she is required to speak. At least we could make sense out of what Ms. Fey was saying.

To illustrate, here's another quote from the NY Times: "Ms. Palin has several times cited a New York Times article published Saturday in raising Mr. Obama’s association with Mr. Ayers, but she has sidestepped its conclusion that the two men did not appear to be close and that Mr. Obama had never expressed sympathy for the radical views and actions of Mr. Ayers."

And Ms. Palin is also quoted in this piece as stating that Barack Obama is "not one of us". I hope she is referring to the Republican Party. Because if she isn't than the statement is pretty offensive. Let me see... he is an American, he is a Christian... a father, a husband... a citizen. How is he not like me? Oh.. now I get it, maybe she was talking to women? Ah, that doesn't work either, does it. Barack Obama has great respect for women and their rights. Hmm... what could she have meant?

Stop wasting my time, will ya?

Focus on what matters... tell me how you plan on pulling my country and its people out of the mess W. and his buddies have put us in.

Talk to me about serious issues. Talk to me about how we can pull up and out of a financial crisis that threatens every man, woman and child in this country. Talk to me about what plan you will support to free America from foreign energy dependence. And on that note, do us all a favor and have a little conversation with T. Boone Pickens. Talk to me about a health care system that makes sense. Talk to me about solutions. Because, let's face it, we've got some serious problems.

Barack Obama believes that this kind of tactic is simply McCain's way of not addressing us about the real issues we face. I agree, it's a shell game. Hey, look over here... never mind the man behind the curtain. It's a desperate attack by a team who is falling behind. They'd like to prey on the (and let's face the unfortunate fact, they exist) weaker, closed-minded, fear-filled and prejudice. They will work hard to get those "folks" out to vote. Come on "east coast" - let's make sure that once and for all we put an end to kind of thinking that got us where we are now.

Make time for the debate tonight - and hope that Mr. McCain doesn't waste too much of your time.

Casting Your Vote - Part Two

2008-10-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

Do us all a favor - vote or shut up.

I really need to add that thought. I love my country but I don't think it is perfect. I don't mind listening to your viewpoints - I love an open exchange of ideas. I do, however, have a real problem listening to people complain about everything that is wrong with America when they don't exercise their privilege to vote.

There were some pretty forward thinking, amazing men who founded this nation. They felt it was urgent to provide all citizens with a voice. They made that right a part of everything they built this country on. Most of their ideas for what a country should be have held true for over two hundred years. How lucky are we?

How many of those early citizens fought and died to give you that right? How many struggled, fought, were beaten publicly for those rights in the 1960s?

How can you just stand there and not respect those men and women who fought - not just for themselves but for all of us? Where is your respect?

Never before has it been so important, so critical to remind us that this is not merely a privilege - it's a duty.

Register. Vote. Or do me a favor, shut up.

Casting Your Vote

2008-10-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's me, but....

What are you thinking when you decide how to cast your vote?

No election in US history has ever been more important. Our country has never known the damage that has been heaped upon it these last eight years. All around us good people are lifting their voices as never before trying to make us aware that change has never been more needed.

It's 2008 and still we fight the wrong fight. Offer me, if you can, one viable reason to withhold your vote from a man because of the color of his skin? If you make that statement, are you're also committing to voting for McCain simply because he is white? Never mind that the McCain administration would be a mere continuation of the one we suffer now.

Give me one good reason that I should vote for a VP candidate simply because she has female organs. I find it disgusting that women will cast a vote for Sarah Palin only because she's a white woman. It's not personal, believe me. I am simply aware that this woman is way over her head. She lacks the intelligence as well as the desire to effectively serve in this time of crisis. She was chosen by design - and too many women are buying the b.s. This may be a fine woman, but she can not speak to us intelligently about any issue that someone who will help to lead this country should certainly be able to address. For heaven's sake, this woman is being hidden from the news media so that we will not see her lack of knowledge. Can't you see you are being duped?

And as a mother, it drives me crazy that no one has asked her 17-year-old daughter if getting married and becoming a mother at 17 is really the choice she wants to make.

And just one more thing... why aren't we insulted at the continual reference to "those east coast politicians"? Isn't the bulk of our population in the east?

Barack Obama has risen above normal politics and can lead this country back to where we need to be. Remember when you could afford to buy a gallon of milk or a gallon of gas? Remember when you or your neighbor was not making a horrible choice to either eat or pay their mortgage? We've been driven into the ground and we must fight back - without prejudice and without fear.

I really want to know how anyone can look us in the eye (even if its through a television screen) and tell us that the war in Iraq is a "success" and that we "must win" there. What are we winning? Is the death of thousands of American young people, not to mention thousands of Iraqi's the ruler by which they measure success? I assure you that the McCain, Palin ticket will not only continue a baseless, useless war but will add more fuel to fire in other parts of the world.

There was a time that nations around the world held respect for the United States. Now, we are the laughing stock of the free world.

Maybe we've just been dumbed-down by too much "reality" tv.

Barack Obama is the candidate I have waited for all of my voting adult life. Finally, a man with principle enough to recognize that his time in addressing us is better spent informing us of his policy, his ideas and beliefs then to use it to beat down the "other guy". He's received criticism for not attacking his opponent enough. I applaude him. It's high time someone with some dignity and self-respect ran for president. He could have taken the easy road to the white house and chose Hilary Clinton as a running mate. He didn't. He was intelligent enough to recognize that he should choose with his mind and not with poll results.

I, for one, am willing to give him fair credit that he did not choose Joe Biden as a Vice President candidate to slight Hilary Clinton for being a woman, and heaven forbid, a white woman at that. I think Barack Obama chose Joe Biden for his record and his ideals (which I happen to believe in).

Why does it matter what color Barack Obama is or that he has a "muslim sounding" name? Aren't you sick of being beat into poverty? Doesn't the bail out of the current administration, with its ridiculous provisions, make you want to scream? Yea, we had to bail out the big boys. And your great-great grandchildren will still be paying back that debt middle class America.

Choose for your own sake, for the sake of our country and our people. Not the wealthy upper class - who will be the only citizens that might benefit from a McCain-Palin administration. Choose for middle America and those known as the lower class who so desperately need change. Choose without prejudice. Choose the best person for the job and take back our country. Vote for Obama.

Abstinence Only?

2008-10-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's me, but...

Why aren't "conservatives" able to admit when they are wrong? The truth is just in front of their faces, yet they hold fast to ideas that don't hold up.

It was recently reported that teen pregnancy rates have risen to levels higher than they have ever been in US History. So is it possible that the "abstinence only" program doesn't work?

Let's be clear, when teen pregnancy rates rise, so does the number of abortions. Isn't that what pro-life conservatives are trying to prevent? I hate to state the obvious here, but when the obvious is standing in front of you and you refuse to acknowledge it, maybe it needs to be stated.

The conservative right wants to outlaw abortion, but they also want to remove all other options as well. No sex education, no easy access to birth control. So where does that leave our young people? Unaware, uneducated and probably pregnant without any viable option.

If you are adult reading this, or more to the point, an honest-with-yourself adult reading this, you know that "abstinence only" has never worked.

During the Clinton administration my teenagers had sex education classes in school. This did not mean that their high school taught them to have sex. It meant that they were taught about safe sex, and the consequences that arise from unprotected sex. Some of which can be deadly. They were able to go health class and talk to advisor, and they were able to get condoms for free. I supported this effort in their school - but more importantly, we made certain that open discussion took place at home. We put our comfort or embarrassment aside in favor of what was far more important - our children's lives.

I can not claim to be purely pro-choice. For me, as a woman, abortion is a choice I could not make. But like anything else, I don't think it's for me to decide what is just and right for anyone else but me. I have and will continue to vote for law-makers who believe in the right to choose, and not just about abortion but for all rights. Since when does one make the choice for all?

As a result of our attitude both of our children, one daughter and one son, were well above the national average when they had their first sexual experience. They learned where they should learn - at home and at school. They did not learn from other kids. There was no great mystery for them regarding sex. They have extremely healthy attitudes about sex. And for the record, neither of them have turned into promiscuous adults. They both applaude our decision to be straight-forward with them and our desire to encourage other parents to do the same.

I can't say that some of those discussions were easy. Sometimes I felt myself squirming but knew I had to be honest. It was important to use my own mistakes as a learning example. As a parent, we always want to protect our children. That has nothing to do with what side of the table we are on politically. It's parenthood and we need to teach our kids - life turns on dime.

Abortion is a church issue, not a presidential or judicial issue. And nothing could be more personal.

Shouldn't it be about protecting our children? How do we protect them? Educate them. Who better to open a free dialog with them if not us, their parents?

It's high time that conservatives recognize that two plus two still equals four.