Thursday, July 29, 2004

We Are Not All the Same

I was reading a news article recently that said that in the year 2000, 41% of women voted Democrat, but that has now shifted to a percentage split at 34% Democrats, 31% Republicans, and 33% Independents. Of that though, the vote is split even more. Women who have children tend to vote more conservative (no matter what the party affiliation) because of issues that may effect family and education.
The issues that tend to be deemed the "Women's Issues" are not things that necessarily determine the way the majority of women in this country vote. While there are some who are staunchly pro-family and pro-life, they do not determine who they vote for on a single issue basis, for the most part. The same is true for the opposing side. (6% of pro-life women polled vs. 3% of pro-choicers polled said that the issue Life/Family/Marriage would determine how they vote in this upcoming election).
Ann Richards said today at the DNC Convention that "Men vote Republican, it's up to women to vote Democrat." I've never heard such comment from a 'progressive' woman. Wasn't the point of the feminist revolution to give freedom to women everywhere to make their own decisions? Apparently not if you don't agree with Richards, Steinem and Rodham-Clinton.
The media will not give in to the idea that the political atmosphere is quite different today, in 2004, than it was in 1974. Equal pay, workers rights and women's issues are all important, just not the only thing that we vote for, or look at when choosing a candidate, for the most part.
The most important issues weighing on the minds of American women are the Economy, Homeland Security, and Healthcare. The same three issues that are at the top of the list for the majority of men in this country.
I am not saying that the other issues are not important, because the reason I am republican is mostly because of the social issues. Those issues do determine why I vote the way that I do, however, when it comes down to it, I am going to vote for the most qualified candidate, and weigh all of the issues, not just one.
It's time to look at the issues, and let the media know that Women are progressive and intelligent and that is why we will vote for George W. Bush.




Wednesday, July 28, 2004

HATE-TRIOTISM

As promised, here are (some of) my thoughts on the wonderful hypocrisy that is Michael Moore.
Yesterday at the DNC Convention he was quoted as shouting, "The right wing is not where America is at. Most Americans, in their heart, are liberal and progressive. It's just a small minority of people who hate. They hate. They exist in the politics of hate." He then went on to say, "They're not patriots. They're hate-triots, and they believe in the politics of hate-triotism. Hate-triotism is where they stand, and patriotism is where real Americans stand."
Apparently he hasn't heard himself speak lately. I have never heard anyone speak with such vitriol for anyone, as Michael Moore has about President Bush and this administration. Even Hillary Clinton nagging and Al Gore's drone put together do not come close to the obsessive style of ousting Bush.
Moore has devoted his whole life to exposing "the lie" that is George W. Bush's presidency. Apparently he hasn't watched any of his own "masterpieces." -He is consistently incorrect with facts, purposely editing quotes in a manner that would imply the guilt of W. And his BIG LIE of the link between Al Qaeda and Saddam to 9/11.
I am fine with people speaking their minds, but I don't appreciate when the said person is so unintelligent that they cannot come up with a factual representation of their side of the story. If you think that this administration misled the people of America, fine, that's your opinion, but PLEASE, have an intelligent defense, and make it reasonable before you set out to convince every living person on the face of the Earth of the guilt of one man.
Michael Moore claims that Republicans & Conservatives, "they are up at six in the morning trying to figure out which minority group they're going to screw today." Really? I don't recall the democratic party doing much to HELP minorities, other than giving them hand outs and disabling them more than they ever have been. (And besides that, I think he is giving WAY too much credit to most Americans, regardless of their partisanship, do we really think of anyone ever, especially at 6:00 in the morning)?
Apparently Moore forgot to mention the lavish penthouse he resides at in Manhattan, and the fact that his child goes to private school. (I'm not saying these things are bad, but I also don't shout at others who provide their families with the same luxuries). If you are so concerned with the drug problem, or the gang violence that is a common occurrence on any street in America, get off your butt and do something about it. Don't blame others, don't expect others to do something about it, especially when you have the means to help.
Moral of the story, Michael Moore is the pot, Republicans are the kettle. Don't shout hypocrisy when you are just as guilty, if not more so.


Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Barbara Boxer Gets Her Standing Ovation

During the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual & Transgendered Caucus this week (of course taking place during the DNC Convention), Senator Barbara Boxer, D-California, proclaimed that, "George Bush has decided that this year you are the scapegoat, and I'm here to tell you that nobody is going to make you a scapegoat." She then continued with "The choices of this administration are hurtful choices. No one should be rewarded for hurting people."
Really? Is that how she really feels? I remember her speech during the debates on banning Partial Birth Abortion, as compelling as her pro-abortion colleagues may have found it to be, I for one, was disgusted by it. If she feels that the Republican Party, one that stands for LIFE and the respect of it, is a hurtful party, then where does that leave the Democratic Party?
The Dems have repeatedly campaigned on the issues of "Women's Rights." When does the woman's right begin and the fetus' right end?
I can tell you that allowing a child to be killed only weeks from its own delivery cannot be something that 'feels good,' and yet the Dems are harassing the Bush Administration for their hurtful crimes. Over 44 million un-born children have been murdered, and WE are the ones that are hurtful.
Republicans are typically the ones who believe in the sanctity of life and the respect for the institute of marriage. We want a better America, a better world, and to provide a better life for generations that are to come. How is providing a stable environment for those that we care about, and those we do not know a 'hurtful' choice? Statistics have showed that with the divorce rate rampant, and the teen pregnancy, fatherless homes and abortion rates WAY up, the way to reduce these numbers is to provide stable homes, with a mother and a father, (not a mom & mom, or a dad & dad), and to teach abstinence to our teens.
These are not hurtful choices, Ms. Boxer, they are responsible choices. Responsibility is something that the Democrats have long since pushed out the window by allowing more Welfare cases, advocating abortion on demand, and of course the ever infamous decision to teach America's children 'sex-education' by showing them how to put a condom on a banana. I say it is time that RESPONSIBLE Americans show Ms. Boxer and her counter-parts that we do not agree with her or anyone for the matter, peddling irresponsibility.



Monday, July 26, 2004

Letting Teresa Heinz-Kerry Speak Her Mind

Teresa has said that had she known that her husband John was going to run for President that may have changed her mind on becoming Mrs. Kerry. She has always been outspoken and rude, and it is common knowledge that she is not looking out for the "little people" or the average American, you and I.
Kerry advisors have done a fantastic job of keeping the Queen Bee's mouth shut and keeping her on target with her campaign speeches, while she stumps for her husband. It is no secret that she was not interested in becoming a political wife when her first husband, the late John Heinz decided to run for public office way back when. At the beginning of this campaign season she was rarely seen stumping for her husband, and didn't even take his name until last year! She has been known to speak about her late husband with great affection without mentioning the one she shares her life with now. Unless of course she is sharing private details of their business transaction-like marriage, including the pre-nuptial agreement.
In her latest escapade of political trash talking she told a reporter to "Shove it." Apparently Mrs. Kerry thinks that this is appropriate, and acceptable language and behavior. John has refused to apologize and says "My wife speaks her mind appropriately." Really? Harassing reporters is hardly the way to win the vote of the American people. Not that one reporter can do much damage when CNN devotes a whole weekend to Kerry, his family & the running mate, the American people will have a hard time getting the whole truth.
Of course there is one upside to this whole fiasco. While some are disgusted by how uncouth T.H.K. is, others find it charming. One of those "others" is none other than Mrs. Hillary Rodham-Clinton. I can't say I am surprised though. Clinton and Kerry must be best friends or will shortly become best friends. They can make fun of the average Joe and the woman who chooses to stay at home and "bake cookies and have teas." I think the more that Heinz-Kerry opens her mouth, and the more that Rodham-Clinton stumps in her defense, the better off we all will be.
The best weapon in this situation is to let them keep talking. Sooner or later the real Teresa will come out, and when she does, no one will want to play.



Maricopa County Attorney Candidates on Illegal Immigration

Why is it that County Attorney candidates are campaigning on the issue of Illegal Immigration? I'll tell you why, because they know that most voters do not understand the roles of a County Attorney & they understand that Illegal Immigration is a hot-button topic, and they want to cash in, at all costs.
This is not the first time that one of the County Attorney candidates has run on a platform that has nothing to do with their actual roles & duties, if elected to the position. Andrew Peyton Thomas ran in 2002 on the platform of giving no plea agreements to child molesters, despite the fact that Attorney General (the position he was vying for at the time) does not prosecute child molesters. He is now claiming that he will stop illegal immigration.
Pacheco, like Thomas, has also implied that if elected he will end illegal immigration through prosecuting immigrant smugglers.
In a statement made by candidate Mike Bailey, he said "Although Maricopa County residents definitely pay the costs of illegal immigration, the County Attorney has no direct jurisdiction over immigration crimes. Still, we must absolutely hold the federal government responsible for the local costs of illegal immigration." He then added that the first step toward resolving this issue is to track the costs of illegal immigration at the county level.
At the current time neither the County Attorney's office nor the Adult Probation Office track the number of illegal immigrants committing crimes in this country.  What must be done is retracting those bail rules which allow illegals to be released and commit new crimes, which in turn the authorities are too slow to act upon a true punishment. I say deport them for not obeying the laws (which obviously they had no respect for by coming over illegally).
Who will you vote for when it comes to this important decision? Someone who is qualified as a former prosecutor who specialized in homicide and sex crimes cases, or two men who claim to have control over situations which they clearly do not.



Thursday, July 22, 2004

Feminist Hell Begins at Costco

I was reading Nation Review Online today & I stumbled across this article that I wanted to post. I thought it was very interesting, and QUITE disturbing...No matter what your personal views on "selective reduction" is, this is something I believe everyone should read...I absolutely LOATH the way she says non-chalantly, "can we get rid of one of them, or two?"
I have attached the article from the NYTimes Magazine, with a link to the NRO article.
_________________________________________________________________ 
When One Is EnoughBy AMY RICHARDS as told to AMY BARRETT

I grew up in a working-class family in Pennsylvania not knowing my father. I have never missed not having him. I firmly believe that, but for much of my life I felt that what I probably would have gained was economic security and with that societal security. Growing up with a single mother, I was always buying into the myth that I was going to be seduced in the back of a pickup truck and become pregnant when I was 16. I had friends when I was in school who were helping to rear nieces and nephews, because their siblings, who were not much older, were having babies. I had friends from all over the class spectrum: I saw the nieces and nephews on the one hand and country-club memberships and station wagons on the other. I felt I was in the middle. I had this fear: What would it take for me to just slip?
Now I'm 34. My boyfriend, Peter, and I have been together three years. I'm old enough to presume that I wasn't going to have an easy time becoming pregnant. I was tired of being on the pill, because it made me moody. Before I went off it, Peter and I talked about what would happen if I became pregnant, and we both agreed that we would have the child.
I found out I was having triplets when I went to my obstetrician. The doctor had just finished telling me I was going to have a low-risk pregnancy. She turned on the sonogram machine. There was a long pause, then she said, ''Are you sure you didn't take fertility drugs?'' I said, ''I'm positive.'' Peter and I were very shocked when she said there were three. ''You know, this changes everything,'' she said. ''You'll have to see a specialist.''
My immediate response was, I cannot have triplets. I was not married; I lived in a five-story walk-up in the East Village; I worked freelance; and I would have to go on bed rest in March. I lecture at colleges, and my biggest months are March and April. I would have to give up my main income for the rest of the year. There was a part of me that was sure I could work around that. But it was a matter of, Do I want to?
I looked at Peter and asked the doctor: ''Is it possible to get rid of one of them? Or two of them?'' The obstetrician wasn't an expert in selective reduction, but she knew that with a shot of potassium chloride you could eliminate one or more.
Having felt physically fine up to this point, I got on the subway afterward, and all of a sudden, I felt ill. I didn't want to eat anything. What I was going through seemed like a very unnatural experience. On the subway, Peter asked, ''Shouldn't we consider having triplets?'' And I had this adverse reaction: ''This is why they say it's the woman's choice, because you think I could just carry triplets. That's easy for you to say, but I'd have to give up my life.'' Not only would I have to be on bed rest at 20 weeks, I wouldn't be able to fly after 15. I was already at eight weeks. When I found out about the triplets, I felt like: It's not the back of a pickup at 16, but now I'm going to have to move to Staten Island. I'll never leave my house because I'll have to care for these children. I'll have to start shopping only at Costco and buying big jars of mayonnaise. Even in my moments of thinking about having three, I don't think that deep down I was ever considering it.
The specialist called me back at 10 p.m. I had just finished watching a Boston Pops concert at Symphony Hall. As everybody burst into applause, I watched my cellphone vibrating, grabbed it and ran into the lobby. He told me that he does a detailed sonogram before doing a selective reduction to see if one fetus appears to be struggling. The procedure involves a shot of potassium chloride to the heart of the fetus. There are a lot more complications when a woman carries multiples. And so, from the doctor's perspective, it's a matter of trying to save the woman this trauma. After I talked to the specialist, I told Peter, ''That's what I'm going to do.'' He replied, ''What we're going to do.'' He respected what I was going through, but at a certain point, he felt that this was a decision we were making. I agreed.
When we saw the specialist, we found out that I was carrying identical twins and a stand alone. My doctors thought the stand alone was three days older. There was something psychologically comforting about that, since I wanted to have just one. Before the procedure, I was focused on relaxing. But Peter was staring at the sonogram screen thinking: Oh, my gosh, there are three heartbeats. I can't believe we're about to make two disappear. The doctor came in, and then Peter was asked to leave. I said, ''Can Peter stay?'' The doctor said no. I know Peter was offended by that.
Two days after the procedure, smells no longer set me off and I no longer wanted to eat nothing but sour-apple gum. I went on to have a pretty seamless pregnancy. But I had a recurring feeling that this was going to come back and haunt me. Was I going to have a stillbirth or miscarry late in my pregnancy?
I had a boy, and everything is fine. But thinking about becoming pregnant again is terrifying. Am I going to have quintuplets? I would do the same thing if I had triplets again, but if I had twins, I would probably have twins. Then again, I don't know.

TO READ THE REBUTTAL BY JENNIFER GRAHAM (NRO) PLEASE GO TO www.jennifergraham.com  OR http://www.nationalreview.com/jgraham/graham200407220839.asp 

Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Needing a Constitutional Amendment to Stop Flag Burning

AHHHHHHHHHHH! What happened to being "Proud to be an American?" -Why do we need a constitutional amendment to get people to STOP burning our flag?
I am getting so frustrated with everyone using the FIRST AMENDMENT for everything that they do. Now Kerry-Edwards do not support an amendment to the Flag Burning Ban in the Constitution. Of course they don't. They are a part of the flag-burning, America-hating, French loving society of upper class elites.
Like I said earlier about the Homosexual marriage amendment, I don't believe that we need to amend the constitution everytime there is a debate on anything, HOWEVER, I believe that this is something that anyone with half a brain knows is a good thing to add. When men & women have died for the right to wave our flag in honor & with pride we should not allow others to burn our flag. I hold disdain for anyone who does not respect our nation and the rights and freedoms that come to them, simply because they were born here.
If you don't like America, and you don't want to wave our flag, go somewhere else.
And that's all I have to say about that...for now.

Alabama Law Makes Morning After Pills Publicly Funded

A new report out from the Alabama Department of Health states that ALL public clinics in the state of Alabama MUST supply women who THINK they may be pregnant with the so called "emergency contraception" drug.
Dr. Donald Williams, of the Alabama Department of Public Health stated, "If the emergency contraceptives were made more widely available, more than 4,000 of 10,000 abortions would be prevented in the state of Alabama." Public officials also stated that the initiative is in the "public's interest," and it is protected by the $5 Million Federal Family Planning Grants available. I don't care what your view of the subject is, I do NOT agree with publicly funding these types of services for ANYONE.
I know that this subject is very touchy for some, but here are a few of my thoughts on the issue.
How can we dole out drugs to women, who obviously aren't capable of taking a regular Birth Control pill correctly, and expect everything to be okay?
We do not have comprehensive research available to us that shows the side effects on women who take the drug numerous times within a short amount of time.
If a woman is promiscuous, and/or lazy, who is to say that she won't just skip using a b.c. pill or having her boyfriend use a condom & go straight to the FREE clinic for an E.C. pill the next day?
I think that a lot of the problem with today's society is irresponsibility. We have made abortion on demand legal, and in doing that we are essentially saying to men & women, "It's okay to be promiscuous. Don't worry about the consequences, if you DO get pregnant, all we have to do is give you a few pills, or do a 'minor' surgical procedure & you will be fine."
I think that the E.C. pills are sending the same message.
I know that some of you will agree with me & some of you will disagree. I guess we will never know the full impact of these drugs until someone's body has had enough & they die from it.

Tuesday, July 20, 2004

Counting My Blessings

Today is my birthday. Being away from home has been hard, but for all of my friends who have spent a birthday with me, you know today has to be REALLY hard for me.
My birthday is not really a day, but usually lasts about a week, or a month, depending on how we are all feeling. There can be anywhere from 5-35 people at one of these gatherings, needless to say, I love a party & I LOVE ATTENTION!
I have to say that I honestly thought that today would be somewhat of an out-of-sight, out-of mind sort of day for most people. It has been overwhelming how many people have called & written & sent e-cards. My co-worker even brought in flowers (pink, of course) & an oreo cake for me. Hearing Chandler & Kyle sing me Happy Birthday was the greatest thing in the world! Those two little boys mean so much to me! Its nice to know that they haven't forgotten me (I have to say that is one of my biggest fears!)
I try to count my blessings & remember daily that I have a lot to be thankful for. Today is a great day that has helped me do just that. While I miss everyone TREMENDOUSLY, I also know that you all still care about me, and it doesn't matter how far or near we are to each other, we will always be friends.
Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being there for me. Thanks for being great friends!

Monday, July 19, 2004

Except for Ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism & Communism, War Has Never Solved Anything.

A word to those of you out there who are against the "War on Terror." -Grow up.
Millions of people died at the hands of Saddam Hussein & his numerous thugs. America is not the bad guy here. Remember what it was like for those people who lived under his rule? (No, not if you were watching CNN) -It was NOT a happy go lucky time. Get real.
He allowed his sons to rape young women. Men, women & children were killed for no apparent reason. He was steeling from the poor to make himself richer (have you seen those mansions? and how many of them he had? PU-LEASE!)
If you think that Iraq was a wonderful place before the U.S. & our allies (YEAY TONY BLAIR!) got involved, you are living in a psycho dream world & you probably take your political cues from the likes of George Soros & Michael Moore. (Don't even GET me started on those two...Rest assured there will be many blogs devoted to those two America Haters).
Just because we live in the "Land of the Free, the Home of the Brave," it doesn't give us the right to make a complete ass out of ourselves everytime we open our mouths. Freedom is something that was fought for. Blood was shed so that we can make asinine remarks. Shouldn't others have that right too?
If you believe so, I found this website, and I thought it was really cool : www.protestwarrior.com
Stay Brave, Stay Free...And remember to Thank God for the Freedom that allows you to thank God.


Sunday, July 18, 2004

What Life is All About

I once heard someone say that if you aren't living on the edge, then you are taking up too much space. I thought at the time that was a ridiculous statement. After all, not everyone was called to be an adventurous individual, and that goes for me in my own personal life. I have come to realize that it is not necessarily the heroic acts that we hear of on TV or the radio, or the crazy nutballs that sky dive & bungee jump that make someone adventurous, it is taking an uncharacteristic step of faith.
Those of us who like to be in control (particularly the first borns in the family who like EVERYTHING to be just so) have a particularly hard time with being 'edgy.' I for one am not a spontaneous person. I need to have a plan, and a back up plan, and maybe one more plan after that, just in case. I have found though, that being away from everything that is familiar, in its own way has made me live on the edge, just a little bit. I'm not saying that I go out & party every night or that I am the talk of the town, or anything even close to that. On the contrary, I leave work every night around 9:00 pm & I head home. I don't talk to much of anyone, even my co-workers. Last night was Saturday, I was in bed by 8:30, and curled up with a good book & the news in the background , and asleep by 11:45. I know it doesn't sound edgy to most of you, but for those who know me best, this is a huge step for me.
I have always been the social butterfly, mostly because I am afraid of my own shadow. Deathly afraid of being alone, and always on the search for a new friend, or a new social setting. I am learning who I am, and what I want, for once in my life. I have no choice but to be on my own. It scares me to death, and even writing about it makes me cry, but you know what? I am going to be okay. In 3 months I will be home, with my friends, with my family, in my congregation. It will be like I never left...But on the inside, I will have focused on what I need, what I want, and where I am going. 
Maybe one day I will reach the top of the mountain of 'self-awareness' -but right now, all I want is to be aware of God's will. I believe it was His will for me to be here, alone. But not really alone, because He is always with us, He is always near, and He is always faithful. I am searching for His will right now, and for once, I believe that I have found it.
To me, this is the most adventurous, edgy thing that I have ever done.

Friday, July 16, 2004

Las Vegas, WHAT WAS I THINKING?



Well, its been an interesting week, to say the least.
I packed up my life (that which I could fit into my car, anyway) and headed out for the unknown.
I am still lost & trying to figure out what EXACTLY I am supposed to be doing, all I can really get from anyone is that I need to register about 12,750 new voters by October 1st, here in Clark County...so however I choose to meet those numbers is up to me.
My co-worker, Jen & I have started working on some different ideas- this coming Monday we are throwing a HUGE Free BBQ, where we will focus on new home developments & new voter registration. Things are a bit crazy- we have to do a 2,000 piece lit drop by tomorrow am. It's about 102 degrees outside right now, so we've decided to put that off until tonight.
Now for the exciting stuff...
I spent most of the day crying on Sunday, and an even greater part of the day on Monday I was hysterical. Tuesday I pulled it together & decided that my President needed me, and that is why I am here. It was time to suck it up, pull myself up by the bootstraps, and get on with it.
So even though I am lonely and afraid (and really don't know my way around, and get lost quite frequently) things are getting better. I figure if I can make it a whole 6 hours without crying, its a good day :) -so to say the least, this has been one of those things that if not for the love & support of my family & friends, and my passion for making America a better place & standing behind a leader that I believe God has placed here for this time...I doubt that I would be here.
So, if I can give up my life and move away from everyone that I know just to make sure that W is in office for another 4 years...what can YOU do to help re-elect YOUR President?