"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American Public."
--Theodore Roosevelt
(President of the United States and a Conservative Republican)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
ON A LIGHTER NOTE...
Tonight, when we arrived home from "Trick or Treating" with our granddaughters and their friends, we found that our Kerry/Edward's Sign had been replaced with a Bush/Chaney one.
I burst out laughing at the works of a neighborhood prankster. Just then, a LAPD patrol car drove up. We waved and thanked them for doing their best to make our streets safe for all the little munchkins who were out on this night. And, laughingly told them what had happened. We assured these brave fellows that on Tuesday that we will get them some help.
Of course, we took down the offending sign and put it away.
I am still laughing.
But, did you know that stealing a lawn sign is against the law?
And, infringes on our Constitutional Right to Free Speech?
Just in case any of you readers don't know what the First Amendment says, here it is:
ARTICLE ONE.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Good thing i took the time to post what I'd written the other night.
I'd been doing a bit of de-cluttering
before I went on with the day.
I found bright neon post-it pads with what I had to say.
But after I entered the two last posts,
I found two disgusting comments
that had to be deleted.
Will someone please help me
set up a review system before
any comments are posted?
I danced on my birthday.
On a stage.
In front of an audience.
I danced on my birthday
with complete abandon.
Lost in the ancient rhythm
and moving with the beat.
There I was at age sixty-four
moving again like a girl.
Well, maybe not exactly,
but pretty good for a woman
in a long skirt and Birkenstocks
fused ankle and all.
Not a concern about what I looked like
or a care about what anyone thought.
I am only now beginning to realize my true potential.
My voice is effective.
I'm involved with my fellow man.
This is not mere bragging
I am who I am.
The world is smiling at me.
Love is flowing into me.
If you do not understand this
then maybe you have yet to feel your joy.
Love is ever flowing.
I know that your time will come.
It's there for you too.
Once in a while,
the veils fall from our eyes.
our vision is cleared.
And, then we really see.
Thank You, Beloved Mother,
for always being with me.
Unity
Can't you hear the child crying?
Can you not feel his pain?
Can't you see the woman suffering?
Are you only concerned with your gain?
Don't you know that we're all connected?
That we can't be wedged apart?
Be still now and listen
to our one beating heart!
Who would have thunk I would become a political activist at my age? Well, I guess I am. ;-)
My birthday was wonderful.
My MOTHER was here.
Love is flowing all around me.
Everywhere I look,
people are smiling and waving from their cars.
Incredible.
People are reminding me to breathe
and take a few moments for myself.
I am! Thank You.
Something wonderful is about to happen.
We just have to keep our eye on the ball.
Everyone is changing, and so fast.
Me too.
This is just the beginning!
This post may be somewhat disjointed.
Too bad. But, It's all I have time for.
Well, got to go. Bye!
24/7?
When did this word/phrase become part of the language?
When did I begin to understand what it meant?
When did it become part of my vocabulary?
I am working Twenty-four Seven on the Kerry Campaign!
"To whom much is given, much will be expected."
-Luke 12:48
My birthday is next Monday, October 25, 2004.
I will be sixty four years old on that date.
If you want to get me something...
This is what I really, really want for my birthday.
You don't have to but...
Here's my long list.
If you are a person like me,
who likes to have something tangible to wrap,
write a note telling me what you have done,
put the note in a box.
Wrap the box in shiny paper & pop on a bow.
I would be delighted. :-)
My list in no special order:
A donation to any of the following:
(I don't have to know the amount.)
1. Heifer International
This organization helps people all around the world to become self reliant. You can help buy people animals that will bring income to families and villages. Give cows or honeybees. By donating even a small amount, you can join with others and buy a share.
2 Unicef.
3. Care.
4. Doctors without Borders. These people are fearless!
7. Second Harvest or the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. You can find a local food bank and just drop by some food.
8. Support local public radio and television stations anywhere.
Here's the LA list, starting with TV:
KCET:
KOCE:
Link TV
We get this channel on DirecTV. i don't know where else it is available or where it comes from.
Radio:
KCRW:
KCCP:
Pacifica:
Pacifica offers stuff that no one else does.
And I listen once in a while,
even though they are sometimes kinda out there!
Strictly Music:
KUSC:
KMZT:
You can just look around my site and see some of the other organizations I support.
Teach me how to do any one of the following things:
1. Post photos or pictures on my web site.
2. How to edit the buttons. I would like to finally get something in the Mom Who? and the Just Breathe sections.
3. How to add blogs to my links section for people I know.
4. Add some more buttons for other links and places I regularly visit.
5. How to change the name of a button.
Give me some simple written directions that even I could follow. Visual aids are helpful.
Any of these gifts would make this Mom VERY HAPPY.
OR you can...
Just wish me happy birthday
so that eight year old girl inside of me doesn't
act like a big baby about the whole thing. :-)
Fair Warning!
Even after all these years, I still haven't grown up!
OK. My Birthday is coming up soon.
I am a big baby about my birthday
and feel hurt when it is forgotten.
I will probably go to my grave
being eight years old at this time of year.
My secret wish that there would always be
a party, balloons and good wishes
from everyone I know.
Now I've told you.
However, this year, on the day of my birthday,
it is possible that I may receive the very best gift of all.
A couple of days with my beautiful Spiritual Mother!
So I want to leave that day and the next free,
just in case.
Now I've told you that.
BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS...
People doing something about it!
Work is being done to bring out the truth.
Each one of you has a chance. right now,
to join with another
to uphold the true ideals of our country.
Help them!
Insure the right to vote for all Americans!
Please click here and listen.
Don't let a few people control what we hear and see on our public airways.
LETS NOT HIDE OUR HEADS IN THE SAND
Please pay attention to what is happening in Sudan.
Join with others to bring help to our brothers and sisters who are suffering in this war torn country.
If you have Real Player you can see for yourself.
Link to this site for Amnesty International and look to the right of the page.
You can then click on the button that says video testimonies and watch now!
We really can help! Make your voice heard.
"It does not require a majority to prevail but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people's minds."
-Samuel Adams
I believe that things can change.
I believe that there can be honesty in politics.
I believe that there are people of integrity who are in governmental service right now. And, that each elected official can choose, at any time, to free himself from the influence of his richest donors.
Once elected, each representative can choose,
with every new bill and with every new statement,
to cast his or her vote and voice in an honest forthright manner. ...Without consideration to those who provided the money in the first place.
Can this be done? Of course it can!
Has it been done? Of course it has!
Is it a risk? Yes.
Will the person who chooses to do this
face unpleasant consequences?
Probably!
The very same donors, who helped the candidate win, may attempt to remove the one who they believed they owned. And, they may use any despicable means to do so.
I have been told that it is a fact of life that our political system is corrupt. That this is just the way it is. And, it will remain so.
I have been told that it is simply unrealistic to believe that there may be honest people in government, who can not be bought. And, also get elected.
I have been told that I am living in a fantasy land to think there can, and will, be change in our lifetime. I have been told that wishing it were so will not make it so. And that my Pollyanna ideals, does not change the truth.
Well, this is what Mom thinks....
I think that anything is possible.
I think that hope, coupled with action,
can produce miracles.
I think there are good people in politics
and in business right now.
I think that each of us has immense power.
I believe that there are no absolutes.
I think that anything can change in an instant.
I think that within every person,
there exists a fearless warrior.
I think we can change our course in any moment.
I think that most of the time we forget who we are.
That there are times when we loose our faith,
stumble and fall. ...And, give into the status quo.
I think that at those times we give up our power.
We belittle our own voice.
We begin to believe that things will never change,
at least in the short run.
At those times,
we need someone to help us remember.
I can tell you this.
I have seen tremendous change in my lifetime.
I have the seen the effect of one person,
standing with another,
which in turn influences a third,
bring about a change.
I remember a time when it was perfectly legal for an employer not to hire someone simply because of the color of his skin or ethnic background.
Has discrimination continued to exist?
Yes it has!
But, that does not mean that things have not changed.
I remember a time when we rarely saw an African American on television or in movies who was not cast in a demeaning roll.
I remember a time when women professionals were extremely rare. Until I was in my forties, I'd only met one physician who was female. And, I'd met a lot of doctors.
I remember growing up in a "lily white' middle class neighborhood. I remember going to schools where there were no teachers or students who were of any other race. At that time, most people did not even consider that there could be or should be a change.
But, as we now know, things have changed.
The change has enriched us.
And, yes, there have problems along the way.
We are still working on it.
OK, people concede. But, that is social change.
I am told that it is different with economics and politics.
I have been told that I am not looking at reality if I refuse to accept that by the very nature of politics, it is corrupt. And, that until there is no scarcity in the world, things will not change.
Well, I don't think that we have to wait that long.
I think that one elected official,
using the power of his office,
standing with another, influencing a third,
can change the course of history.
I think that with every new day, in every given moment, each of us can elect to take a new course. Anyone, including our elected officials, can stand up and say "No More!" 'From this moment on, I will do things differently." 'And, I will accept the consequences." Freedom is not free.
When enough of us change our consciousness,
when we resolve to do things differently,
and follow through, the world can be changed.
And, I think that when we resolve to act with courage and integrity, we can move mountains with our overwhelming strength.
I believe that all of us will fail some of the time,
but that does not mean that we will fail all of the time
or even most of the time.
I believe one of us,
joining with another,
influencing a third,
can make anything possible.
I beg of you to consider that we can not generalize about anything. Nothing is exactly as we perceive it. Each of us is creating our world in every given moment.
In reality, we create everything!
And, we can choose to create something new.
Right now. Right here.