The Burning Bed

 

T4DBUBE EC001

How much abuse will it take to escape?

Back when Clarence Thomas was going through the confirmation process and he was attacked by the liberal left, he famously stated: 

“It’s a national disgrace. And from my standpoint, as a black American, it is a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas, and it is a message that unless you kowtow to an old order, this is what will happen to you. You will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U.S. Senate rather than hung from a tree.”

This is the same thing that is happening to conservative women in politics today.  But instead of a high-tech lynching, it’s a high-tech wife beating.  Look at every bit of his quote and apply it to what is happening to Sarah Palin, Michelle Bachman, Meg Whitman, Sharon Angle and Christine O’Donnell.  Just like an abusive husband, the liberal elite (Democratic leadership, Hollywood types, so called intellectuals) aren’t interested in hearing the legitimate disagreement they have, they just want them to shut up.  The vicious name-calling, character assassination, the belittling of their qualifications are the beating.  The main stream media are the fists, belts, bats, cigarette burns, etc.

We should call the police.  Wouldn’t that be NOW, the National Organization for WOMEN?  Wait a minute, they’re condoning the behavior.  If NOW isn’t outright endorsing the very people who are doing the beating, they are very tepid in their condemnation.  The equivalent of sweeping it under the rug or patting wifey on the head and telling her to be a good little girl and go back home and take it some more.  After all, at least the Democratic party is a good provider (food stamps, unemployment benefits, the right to kill your children).  You really don’t have the right to expect to be treated with respect and dignity or complain, look how much this abuser has  done for you. 

Recent polling suggests that women are waking up to what the liberal agenda hasn’t done for them.  More economic instability than ever, higher unemployment rates, poorer education for children, reduction in health care for their entire family, less economic freedom in their own household and their children’s future, the list goes on and on.

Wake up women!  The Democratic party in its current form is an abusive husband, the only solution to save yourself, your children and your family is a divorce (vote them out), a restraining order (don’t allow their progressive agenda into the schools, healthcare, and economy), and get practiced in self-defense (make good, responsible decisions for yourself and your family; stay as far away from government assistance as possible; teach your children to do the same).  The abuse won’t stop until you are dead (no longer politically useful) or you leave the relationship.

Here’s hoping….

SudanNow

In case you missed it (and I did because I don’t watch Bill Maher), last Friday, George Clooney appeared on Real Time and schooled Bill Maher and his audience for saying conservatives “have a hard time being empathetic to people who are not like them at all.”

Putting aside the fact that Maher constantly demonstrates that he, a liberal, has the hardest time I’ve seen empathizing with Christians, Republicans, conservatives and the average “uneducated” American, this defense was refreshing coming from Clooney.

Why now?  Conservatism is on the rise.  Clooney can no longer afford to alienate his audience.  While I think he has enough money to live comfortably for the rest of his life and he can afford to make “risky” acting choices (i.e. The American), he does have a cause he believes in, The Sudan, and George needs conservatives to donate.  The most generous Americans aren’t liberals, as Maher would have you believe, but survey after survey going back for years (do the internet search if you don’t believe me) show that those who identify themselves as conservative contribute more to charitable causes.

So here’s hoping that other prominent actors take note of Clooney’s appearance. 

20080414_liasson_3 One down, one to go, watch your back Mara

I missed blogging yesterday!  It really was an even busier day than the day before.  If only my diatribes in the car or while cooking could magically be transcribed, I would have endless blogs.

So what was the hot topic yesterday that garnered my attention?  Why Juan Williams, of course!  I’ve listened to Juan since way before Fox News was born.  I don’t agree with his political views.  I also think his political analysis comes from an imaginary place I call “Liberal Utopia”.  However, I can’t ever think of a time where I’ve found him to be inconsistent and I’ve always felt that although misguided, he is an honest individual.

NPR has really stepped in it by firing him.  Will it hurt them in the long run?  I doubt it.  There is the predictable outcry to cut their tax dollar funding, but that won’t go anywhere.  First and foremost, there is no political will to do it.  Second, and this is off the top of my head without checking my facts, I believe a big source of funding is from dues of local NPR stations.  When I think of all the places I’ve lived and listened to NPR, it is through the local college station.  Try getting anyone in Utah to deny state tax dollars going toward their own beloved USU (GO AGGIES!!!) or UofU.  It just won’t happen.  Third and finally, conservatives believe in freedom.  Not only the freedom of speech, but the freedom to associate with whom you wish.  Also the freedom to hire or fire whom you wish.  So ultimately, while NPR’s actions were wildly hypocritical and intellectually dishonest, I would have to support their right to do it.  Unfortunately, I believe, if it were a situation with a conservative organization doing the firing, there would be congressional hearings, lawsuits etc.  But Mr. Williams is a liberal, so perhaps he’ll take a look at his employment contract and sue the pants of NPR if only to further make the point that liberal bias and bullying is wrong.

What a busy day!!!  It’s 10 pm and I just realized I hadn’t posted a blog today.  Thus putting my challenge of writing every day in jeopardy.  I haven’t even taken time to think of what to write about.  There are so many topics running through my head and nothing wants to settle down.  How about I just touch on the few observations I’ve made or heard today?

We visited our stuff today.  In preparation for a shooting competition this weekend and a cake auction next week, I arranged for the kids and I to go to the storage facility to find some things that have been packed away since August.  When our flood first happened in our home, we never imagined we would be out of our home for this long.  But going through boxes looking for the items we needed, it occurred to me that even though it’s stuff that can be replaced, I missed what it represents: the comfort of routine and the comfort of familiarity.

Ken, my husband, had a medical procedure today.  He’s had neck pain for the past two to three months.  Today he went in for a procedure designed to test whether a further procedure, radiofrequency ablation, will give him semi-permanent relief.  He’s had this done before on his lower back, so we know it works.  I was glad we decided I should drive him there, wait and take him home.  The procedure today gave him relief for six hours, but it left him very dizzy right after.  Because it DID give him relief,  he will return for the permanent ablation.  I am so thankful for the health care system we have and fear for what will happen in the future.

My daughter and I spent the afternoon together at a craft store and then at her former school.  When Jenny chose to be homeschooled we assured her that we would still keep up our involvement with her old private school.  So we started the leg work for this year’s cake auction.  The past two auctions we’ve made the cakes that brought in the most money, so we were looking forward to “defending” our title.  Alas, upon our visit to the school we discovered that they had cancelled this year’s auction.  As disappointing as that was, it still gave us a chance to catch up with some of her friends and her teachers.  We did however come up with a plan for her to return once a week and read with or to children in the younger grades.  This gives her an opportunity to stay connected with the school, be of service to others and have lunch and play with friends every week.

After an emotional afternoon, I won’t provide details, just to say if you were ever a teenager and/or are the parent of a teenager, boundaries were tested, we had a pleasant evening playing cards.  Our kids are our greatest joy and some of our biggest frustration.  This day covered both ends of that spectrum.

Well, as Ms. O’Hara would say, “Tomorrow is another day”.  (The first Nelson child who emails me with who Ms. O’Hara is and where the quote comes from get a trip to Coldstone.)

Mid-terms are looming….

tearing-hair-out-sized

I’m in a rotten mood today so I’m ready to rant.  I love watching politics.  I don’t get as invested in the people running for office so much as the analysis of why they get elected.  Give me a good political analysis round table any day.  But since the last presidential election, it’s not so much fun anymore.  I love that the electorate has finally “woken up”, started organizing and using its voice.  But, the mood is very intense and much more life or death for our country and what makes it great.

What is my rant, then?  The voters.  Jim Matheson is our district’s representative to Congress.  It’s strange that our conservative, southern Utah constituency would send a Democrat to Congress for ten years, but if you understand the gerrymandered district and the popularity and power of the family name, you know how he was first elected.  But how does he remain in office?  Pork and milquetoast.  He takes credit for getting the St. George Airport project $17.2 million in federal money.  The airport project is controversial and no matter where you stand on the issue, this isn’t a project that we should be beholding to the federal government.  I’m mad as hell that I have to pay for Boston’s Big Dig, why should they pay for our airport?  Because that’s the way Jim and we, his constituents, get rewarded for sending him back to not make waves.  During the stimulus and health care votes, Jim got a pass from the Democratic leadership.  He was “free” to vote against his party.  But did we ever see him stand up and actively fight against these bills?  No.  Did we ever see him at a town hall meeting in Southern Utah?  No.  In all fairness, he did conduct “telephone” town meetings, but come on, he knew what would face him if he came in person and that imagery wouldn’t do at reelection.

But the voters in our district are willing to stick with Matheson.  They like their pork and milquetoast.

Customer Service

chilis4        Lowes   ElPolloLocoLogo

Places I’ve visited lately…and will keep visiting!

Today is about customer service.  What is good customer service, what is bad customer service and is there just customer service?

After being flooded out of our house almost three months ago, I’ve had to deal with more than my normal share of people who either want my business or are obligated to do something for me because I’ve paid them lots of money in the past (i.e. my homeowner’s insurance company).  Lately, this whole experience has reached a boiling point and I fear we’re only half way on our way to getting back into our home.

There’s a formula for what makes customer service good or bad.  Prompt, efficient service and a happy, “can do” attitude are the key components.  (Note to my children:   we may graph this as an x,y chart later.)  The waitress who takes my order and brings my food promptly, but has the attitude that I’m just another table to be rushed through will get an average tip.  That’s just customer service.  It’s her job to do these things promptly.

On the other hand, I don’t care how friendly and nice she is, if my food doesn’t come as ordered and it’s cold, the tip will still be mediocre.

I don’t notice customer service unless it’s either good or bad.  I am noticing more customer service that I would term “bad” lately.  It seems counter-intuitive.  With unemployment so high and businesses failing left and right, don’t the people providing services understand their economic survival depends on how friendly and efficiently they do their job?  Suzanne at Chili’s will never have a problem remaining employed.  The woman who took our order at the El Pollo Loco drive-thru last week will be just fine.  The local plumbing supplier could have had a sale had there been anyone on the showroom floor to answer my questions, instead Joe or Frank at Lowe’s is eager to help me.  I will think twice about future loans with my mortgage lender after their CSR gave me incomplete/bad information about insurance settlements when I called last August.  They were partially redeemed by the calm, patient and understanding manner that the second CSR demonstrated after I finally vented all my building frustration at her last week.  After paying a homeowner’s policy for 22 years and not getting a claim settled for almost three months (after a call to a supervisor), I’m shopping around my homeowners AND auto insurance.

Hey kids, I’m thinking Chili’s for lunch, let’s go see Suzanne!

Back to blogging……

check-mark Day One:  Done

I’ve decided to take on a challenge.  Write something every day.  As part of our home school curriculum, the kids are expected to write something every day.  Of course they complain that it’s sooooo hard.  Hard because it takes time, hard because they can’t think of something to write, etc. etc.

I find it hard because I want to write something profound.  I want to craft the perfect imagery.  I want to make sure my point comes across succinctly (the first one of my kids to come to me with the definition gets to “skip” today-this offer only valid today).

So my challenge to create a writing habit has begun.

briangraduationBrian’s 6th grade graduation last year 

Today we took our son, Brian, out of public school.  This was to be his first year in the public schools, but we’ve “pulled the trigger” for homeschooling.  My husband does a better job of explaining our reasons in his blog.

We are very lucky to have our Montessori experience.  It has instilled a love for learning in both our children that I was afraid I would kill by trying to educate them at home.  Unfortunately, this past month I’ve watched my son become bored and frustrated with his public schooling.  He has been falling asleep in class although we make sure he has plenty of sleep.  For the most part, he has been going over material he mastered years ago.  I knew there was a huge possibility that I would be unhappy that the level of education wouldn’t be challenging, but resolved that we would “supplement” from home.  However, by the time he comes home, completes homework and music practice, he is “schooled” out.  He moans and groans when pressed about what he did at school today.

When I showed up at his school at the end of the day to finish the withdrawal process, I could see a glimmer in his eye.  We went around to all his teachers to “sign him out”.  The two teachers whose classes he genuinely enjoyed, expressed real regret that he was leaving, but also understood that Brian was an exceptional student who needed challenge from ALL subjects.  I haven’t had much interaction with his teachers in the month he’s been there, but it’s not hard to tell which teachers are great.  I feel a soapbox moment coming on, but I will refrain and perhaps write a blog later. 

When about to start the school year last month, I asked Brian how he felt about starting a new school.  There wasn’t enthusiasm.  It was more of a resignation I attributed to not wanting the summer to end.

Today I asked him the same question about homeschooling.  “Excited!” was the enthusiastic response.  He recognizes the possibilities of determining his own academic future.  My boy is growing up and I’m beginning to see the man I want him to be.

flashlight face Why are we in the dark? 
Is it too scary for us to KNOW what’s out there?

(Update:  I started writing this post two days ago but was distracted from posting by that pesky being a mom thing.  At the time I was trying to find analysis of the health care for illegal aliens issue and couldn’t find anything but opinion.  This morning, Sept. 13, I searched again and there was more.  From the LA times (kudos to the reporters Oliphant, Savage, & Watanabe) and Reuters  posted yesterday and today, there it was.  It still falls a little short on asking all the questions for me, but it was more balanced than I expected.  Is this a sign that the fourth estate could be getting back to true journalism?  I hope so, but I’m not holding my breath.) 

If it weren’t for Joe Wilson shouting “You lie” at Barack Obama during his speech to Congress, would all of America have known about issues surrounding illegal aliens and the current health care proposals in Congress?  Those who watch more than broadcast news, MSNBC, CNN, and listen to talk radio, know about this issue and so much more.  Unfortunately for the MSM that slobbers all over Obama and refuses to do any hard hitting journalism that won’t be in lock step with the administration, the outburst couldn’t be ignored.  How are they choosing handle the story:  It’s all about the etiquette of the outburst.  The reporting is about censuring Joe Wilson and calls for apologies, etc. etc.

Aren’t the basics of reporting “Who? What? Where? and Why?”  Where is reporting on the WHY?  If you missed it, the issue is whether illegal aliens would be covered under the health care legislation.  There is REAL dispute over the language of the bill.  Now that the issues are out there beyond Fox News Channel viewership, the loopholes are being closed (at least in the Senate).

There are many other REAL questions and concerns regarding proposed legislation on health care.  Instead of reporting on these issues, instead of presenting expert analysis, instead of objectively presenting all facts and analysis, the MSM distracts us with what I will call “personality puff”.  They spin protesters as mobs.  They demonize those asking fair questions and who are against the legislation.  There is no reporting on what the language or lack of language really means.  What are the possible unintended (or intended) consequences of the language?  What was considered and rejected?  What were the rejected ideas?  Who authored the legislation?  If all major polling shows that the American people are against this bill why isn’t the media all over the Why?

The American people have been shouting “You lie” at the President, at Congress and at the media.  Thank you Joe Wilson we thought we were alone.

Where are we now???

9-11_firemans_flag_full (1)

Here is a quote I heard this morning on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, I believe it was Joe Klein who said it of George Bush in the aftermath of 9/11: "One of the great tragedies of his presidency was that he could have asked us to do anything and he asked us to do nothing."

This man is lying.  George Bush did ask us as Americans to do many things at that time, including prayer and have patience.  He asked us to not retaliate against Muslims or those of Middle Eastern descent.  The president practiced prudence by NOT taking advantage of the crisis.  America would have willingly followed him and done almost anything, such was the pain and anger we felt AT THE TIME.  George Bush could have gone about nationalizing whole industries for a war effort.  He could have set up internment camps or deported all non-American Muslims or those of Arab descent.  He could have dropped a nuclear bomb and made all of the Middle East a sheet of glass.  (A suggestion I heard many times.)  These are all actions that have precedence.

George Bush’s actions in the aftermath were taken with the support of the vast majority of the American people.  Do not forget that he clearly and concisely stated what he believed, why he believed it and what  course of action he would take.  He was honest when he said it would take a long time.  We, collectively as a country, supported him.  He didn’t take advantage of the crisis to fundamentally change our way of life.  He didn’t take us down that path kicking and screaming in protest.

Contrast that with the current “crisis” and the actions of our current president.  Do not forget that the Obama’s own Chief of Staff said "You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before." 

Obama has signed America up for trillions of dollars of debt that has no proof or expectation of solving the problem, it does however smack of cronyism.  In the name of a crisis, he has taken over private corporations.  This doesn’t help America, but I’m sure there are a few union officials and “community organizers” reaping the benefits.  In the name of a “global warming crisis” we have Cap and Trade which will further decimate our economy and the quality of life for EVERY American.  In the name of a “health care crisis”, he attempted to push legislation AS FAST AS POSSIBLE that would take away the choice of ALL Americans to control their very lives. 

So, Joe Klein (or whomever I heard), think about what a blessing it was that we had a president who acted in the best interests of ALL Americans.  He could have done so much more to further a conservative, capitalist agenda at the expense of the rights of ALL Americans.  I am PROFOUNDLY saddened that our current president is not showing the same wisdom.