So...I feel the need to make an obligatory blog post and I have been thinking about it for several days. Unfortunately, since the election, I'm not sure what to blog about. I have spent so much time thinking about Barack Obama that I'm not sure what to think about now! I am happy (soooo happy) that he won! He is an amazing man and I expect amazing things from him.
That being said, what has been going on with us? Lewis was extremely sick last week with pneumonia. I don't think I realized how VERY sick he was until he improved. Now he is back to his happy, adorable, crazy self. We discovered this weekend that he can stand while holding onto a coffee table. I'm not ready for a walking baby :) !!! He's very strong and inquisitive. Henry is talking sooo much. He's prone to telling Daddy, "no, daddy, no." He's also starting to understand the idea of emotions. He talks about how some of the characters in his books are "happy" or "sad." It's very cool. Oh yeah, he poops on the potty now. How great is that...Other than these things, we still struggle with Lewis's sleeping patterns. He sleeps through the night some times, but not others. We think that we are getting into a pattern and then he does a week of getting up at 3:30 to eat...hopefully things will stabilize soon :).
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Where have all the good Republicans gone?
Once again, we have this:
First, a little education. I took the following from the Socialist Party of the United States web page. This is their 2008-2009 economic platfom.
The Socialist Party stands for a fundamental transformation of the economy, focusing on production for need not profit. So-called fair trade is meaningless as long as the world economy is dominated by a few massive corporations. Only a global transformation from capitalism to democratic socialism will provide the conditions for international peace, justice, and economic cooperation based on the large-scale transfer of resources and technology from the developed to the developing countries.
1. We demand the immediate withdrawal of the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and oppose the creation of a widened Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
2. We call for worker and community ownership and control of corporations within the framework of a decentralized and democratically determined economic.
3. We call for a minimum wage of $15 per hour, indexed to the cost of living.
4. We call for a full employment policy. We support the provision of a livable guaranteed annual income.
5. We call for all financial and insurance institutions to be socially owned and operated by a democratically-controlled national banking authority, which should include credit unions, mutual insurance cooperatives, and cooperative state banks. In the meantime, we call for re-regulation of the banking and insurance industries.
6. We call for a steeply graduated income tax and a steeply graduated estate tax, and a maximum income of no more than ten times the minimum. We oppose regressive taxes such as payroll tax, sales tax, and property taxes.
7. We call for the restoration of the capital gains tax and luxury tax on a progressive, graduated scale.
8. We call for compensation to communities-- and compensation, re-training, and other support service for workers-- affected by plant and military base closings as stop-gap measures until we reach our goal of creating a socialist society totally separate from the global capitalist economy.
9. We oppose the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization as instruments of capitalist oppression throughout the world.
10. We demand cancellation of Third World debt.
11. We call for a National Pension Authority to hold the assets of private pension funds, and a levy against corporate assets for any pension fund deficits.
12. We call for increased and expanded welfare assistance and increased and expanded unemployment compensation at 100% of a worker's previous income or the minimum wage, whichever is higher, for the full period of unemployment or re-training, whichever is longer.
13. We support a program of massive federal investment in both urban and rural areas for infrastructure reconstruction and economic development.
14. We support tax benefits for renters equal to those for homeowners.
15. We call for the elimination of subsidies and tax breaks that benefit corporations and all other forms of corporate welfare.
And then there's this:
Now, if you are really interested, you can go to www.barackobama.com/issues/economy to read Obama's plan, but you can tell by reading the above tenets that Obama is NOT a socialist!
Assuming that the video above represents a small minority of ignorant republicans (and all republicans don't think Obama is a Socialist or encourage their children to act like monkeys in response to hearing his name), where are the decent republicans? I am sure there are Republicans out there who believe in the cornerstones of the Republican ideal: small government, power for the states, ect. that are not ignorant, racist pigs...Why are they not denouncing this kind of ridiculous behavior and defending their party. Why is McCain not speaking out? Maybe they don't want to call attention to it...It's not getting that much mainstream media play, so why mention it? Well, those of us who are of the "you tube" generation see almost nothing BUT videos like these! This hopefully small contingent of the party is doing much more damage to "Republicanism" than anything either John McCain or Barack Obama have said during this campaign. I suppose maybe the majority of Republicans have just accepted that their party has been hijacked by crazy, uneducated hillbillies...At least they won't be classified as "elitists."
First, a little education. I took the following from the Socialist Party of the United States web page. This is their 2008-2009 economic platfom.
The Socialist Party stands for a fundamental transformation of the economy, focusing on production for need not profit. So-called fair trade is meaningless as long as the world economy is dominated by a few massive corporations. Only a global transformation from capitalism to democratic socialism will provide the conditions for international peace, justice, and economic cooperation based on the large-scale transfer of resources and technology from the developed to the developing countries.
1. We demand the immediate withdrawal of the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and oppose the creation of a widened Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
2. We call for worker and community ownership and control of corporations within the framework of a decentralized and democratically determined economic.
3. We call for a minimum wage of $15 per hour, indexed to the cost of living.
4. We call for a full employment policy. We support the provision of a livable guaranteed annual income.
5. We call for all financial and insurance institutions to be socially owned and operated by a democratically-controlled national banking authority, which should include credit unions, mutual insurance cooperatives, and cooperative state banks. In the meantime, we call for re-regulation of the banking and insurance industries.
6. We call for a steeply graduated income tax and a steeply graduated estate tax, and a maximum income of no more than ten times the minimum. We oppose regressive taxes such as payroll tax, sales tax, and property taxes.
7. We call for the restoration of the capital gains tax and luxury tax on a progressive, graduated scale.
8. We call for compensation to communities-- and compensation, re-training, and other support service for workers-- affected by plant and military base closings as stop-gap measures until we reach our goal of creating a socialist society totally separate from the global capitalist economy.
9. We oppose the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization as instruments of capitalist oppression throughout the world.
10. We demand cancellation of Third World debt.
11. We call for a National Pension Authority to hold the assets of private pension funds, and a levy against corporate assets for any pension fund deficits.
12. We call for increased and expanded welfare assistance and increased and expanded unemployment compensation at 100% of a worker's previous income or the minimum wage, whichever is higher, for the full period of unemployment or re-training, whichever is longer.
13. We support a program of massive federal investment in both urban and rural areas for infrastructure reconstruction and economic development.
14. We support tax benefits for renters equal to those for homeowners.
15. We call for the elimination of subsidies and tax breaks that benefit corporations and all other forms of corporate welfare.
And then there's this:
Now, if you are really interested, you can go to www.barackobama.com/issues/economy to read Obama's plan, but you can tell by reading the above tenets that Obama is NOT a socialist!
Assuming that the video above represents a small minority of ignorant republicans (and all republicans don't think Obama is a Socialist or encourage their children to act like monkeys in response to hearing his name), where are the decent republicans? I am sure there are Republicans out there who believe in the cornerstones of the Republican ideal: small government, power for the states, ect. that are not ignorant, racist pigs...Why are they not denouncing this kind of ridiculous behavior and defending their party. Why is McCain not speaking out? Maybe they don't want to call attention to it...It's not getting that much mainstream media play, so why mention it? Well, those of us who are of the "you tube" generation see almost nothing BUT videos like these! This hopefully small contingent of the party is doing much more damage to "Republicanism" than anything either John McCain or Barack Obama have said during this campaign. I suppose maybe the majority of Republicans have just accepted that their party has been hijacked by crazy, uneducated hillbillies...At least they won't be classified as "elitists."
Saturday, October 25, 2008
This is too much fun...
I was starting to think I was in a rut, posting too much political stuff...but I can't help myself...
No, he's not too old to be president...Hell, his mamma's still alive...Too bad he can't read a teleprompter.
Then there's this:
Oh, that ridiculous "fruit fly" research. I guess she's unaware that Drosophila Melanogaster is one of the most well studied and useful genetic model systems in all of science. Numerous important discoveries have been made in this organism. I also happen to do all of my research in flies...I wish I could go and vote again just to ensure this kind of ignorance doesn't get anywhere near the white house.
No, he's not too old to be president...Hell, his mamma's still alive...Too bad he can't read a teleprompter.
Then there's this:
Oh, that ridiculous "fruit fly" research. I guess she's unaware that Drosophila Melanogaster is one of the most well studied and useful genetic model systems in all of science. Numerous important discoveries have been made in this organism. I also happen to do all of my research in flies...I wish I could go and vote again just to ensure this kind of ignorance doesn't get anywhere near the white house.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
My favorite so far...
Discovered this little gem on the Daily Kos today...Enjoy!
Now who's the socialist???
Now who's the socialist???
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A voice of reason in a sea of hatred
Yesterday I posted a video of McCain/Palin supports shouting absurd, ridiculous, outlandish things about Obama. This video absolutely disgusts me and has been bothering me ever since I watched it yesterday morning. I went to bed thinking about it and how I fear for Obama's safety. He is a brave man and I suppose I was naive to think that that kind of racism and ignorance no longer existed in our great nation...
Cue this morning's Meet the Press:
I have always respected Colin Powell and if he were to have run for president, I might have considered switching parties (ok, probably not but you get my point). He eloquently expresses his reasoning for endorsing Barack Obama in a calm, cool, Colin Powell kind of way. He manages to do this without belittling John McCain, or even Sarah Palin. This is the kind of level headed thinking that has been needed these past few weeks. I commend Colin Powell for being reasonable and not succombing to his party's scare tactics.
Cue this morning's Meet the Press:
I have always respected Colin Powell and if he were to have run for president, I might have considered switching parties (ok, probably not but you get my point). He eloquently expresses his reasoning for endorsing Barack Obama in a calm, cool, Colin Powell kind of way. He manages to do this without belittling John McCain, or even Sarah Palin. This is the kind of level headed thinking that has been needed these past few weeks. I commend Colin Powell for being reasonable and not succombing to his party's scare tactics.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Disgusting...
One of my friends posted the following video this morning on his facebook page:
I hope he doesn't mind me using his comments about it, but I think his thought embody my own perfectly:
"I have tremendous respect for folks of all political persuasions, but this video is nauseating. If you don't like Obama's politics and his plans for America, by all means, don't vote for him - and be proud of your vote. But everyone should be disgusted by this display. The preponderance of racism and misplaced xenophobia in this country makes me weep for my children's future."
I have a much better understanding of what John Lewis was insinuating....
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The VP debate
My thoughts...as I watch the debate.
Mindy thinks senator "O'Biden" is doing well...surprisingly Sarah Palin is also regurgitating her info quite well.
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin doesn't know much about the "change in bankruptcy law" thing.
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin just effed up...Same sex couples should have the same civil liberties as heterosexual couples...There's a new repulican ideal...Mindy thinks Sarah Palin should learn how to say "nuclear."
Mindy wishes this was more like the Katie Couric interviews...that was so much more entertaining.
Mindy went to get a beer and wonders if Sarah Palin hired a wet nurse for Trig.
Mindy wonders who in the US is currently thinking about Israel...except Jews.
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin is very attractive and doing much better than expected.
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin is wondering what "the past is prologue" means.
Nuclear..Nuclear...Nuclear!!! Not Nuclular...That's not a word...
blah, blah, blah..nuclear weapons...blah, blah blah...
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin has never heard of Darfur...the Sudan, is that in Africa?...Ok, maybe she has heard of it...
Oh...there's that pesky Bush Doctrine...
Good lord she just did that winking thing she does...That drives me CRAZY!!!
"Say it ain't so Joe"...you've got to be kidding.
A shout out to 3rd graders...Please, stop.
Go to work with ya :) I hate these colloquiolisms...Just say "you" not "ya." Jesus Christ you might be vice president of the United States.
Do people really sit around the kitchen table and shoot the shit any more.
Stop using the word maverick already. Both of you. Just stop.
Of these two candidates, who would have though Joe would have teared up...
Good debate!
Mindy apologizes for writing this post in Facebook comment format...it's stupid.
Mindy thinks senator "O'Biden" is doing well...surprisingly Sarah Palin is also regurgitating her info quite well.
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin doesn't know much about the "change in bankruptcy law" thing.
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin just effed up...Same sex couples should have the same civil liberties as heterosexual couples...There's a new repulican ideal...Mindy thinks Sarah Palin should learn how to say "nuclear."
Mindy wishes this was more like the Katie Couric interviews...that was so much more entertaining.
Mindy went to get a beer and wonders if Sarah Palin hired a wet nurse for Trig.
Mindy wonders who in the US is currently thinking about Israel...except Jews.
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin is very attractive and doing much better than expected.
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin is wondering what "the past is prologue" means.
Nuclear..Nuclear...Nuclear!!! Not Nuclular...That's not a word...
blah, blah, blah..nuclear weapons...blah, blah blah...
Mindy thinks Sarah Palin has never heard of Darfur...the Sudan, is that in Africa?...Ok, maybe she has heard of it...
Oh...there's that pesky Bush Doctrine...
Good lord she just did that winking thing she does...That drives me CRAZY!!!
"Say it ain't so Joe"...you've got to be kidding.
A shout out to 3rd graders...Please, stop.
Go to work with ya :) I hate these colloquiolisms...Just say "you" not "ya." Jesus Christ you might be vice president of the United States.
Do people really sit around the kitchen table and shoot the shit any more.
Stop using the word maverick already. Both of you. Just stop.
Of these two candidates, who would have though Joe would have teared up...
Good debate!
Mindy apologizes for writing this post in Facebook comment format...it's stupid.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The problem with John McCain....
Last night I watched about 30 minutes of the first presidential debate. Since I am a flaming liberal, the debates don't much affect me, but I felt I should at least watch a little. I have to say, I was impressed by McCain. He didn't look like a complete idiot and he appeared well versed and quite spry for his age. I was expecting Obama to crush him like a bug and I felt quite the opposite. I found Obama to be doing much more hemming and hawing and to be more defensive. If I hadn't made up my mind about my political persuasions by the time I was 12, I might have been swayed a bit to the Republican side. BUT...
McCain has two BIG problems. The first is of no fault of his own. He's a republican and so is his predecessor, George the Lesser. Unfortunately, GWB has been anything but a republican of late. The "rescuing" of private financial institutions by the federal government almost qualifies as socialism. The creation and ballooning of the homeland security department also contributes "big" government. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have stretched our military to the brink of collapse. Non-sanctioned wire tapping has become the norm. So, while McCain preaches a mantra of smaller, more responsible government, people can no longer believe in the cornerstones of the Republican party; no one can possibly think that McCain's administration could minimize governmental influence on the American people.
Second...SARAH PALIN. Unfortunately, McCain has no one to blame but himself for this choice. At first, I was intrigued by her. A powerful (even if she leads is governor of a low populace state), extremely attractive, family oriented woman. Maybe she could be like Hillary (who I love, but that will be the subject of another post). Then, as a few days went by, I started to feel sorry for her. McCain plucked this woman from almost anonymity to run for VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Until this point, she had been hanging out in Alaska, making some much needed (this is debatable) changes, having babies. How could we expect her to be "up on" matters of national security or, any issues important to the vast majority of americans. I was sure she was smart, just inexperienced and if just given enough time to bone up on the issues that she would be a great choice for VP. Then came the Charlie Gibson interview...ok, she's still learning...The Bush Doctrine? What is that? Then came the Katie Couric interview...whoa...Now I can no longer make excuses for her. Not only is she the most socially and religiously conservative person I have ever seen, she's an IDIOT! No amount of time will make her qualified to be VP. I am sure many americans are coming to this conclusion and given McCains age and previous bouts with cancer, NO ONE can possibly feel comfortable with SARAH PALIN one heartbeat away from the presidency.
OK...I'm done and I feel much better now :)
Friday, September 26, 2008
The FIRST entry-9/26/08
I'm glad to know that Trey never knows what I'm thinking....That makes two of us! I asked Trey to set up this blog for me because I have really enjoyed being able to "comment on my status" on Facebook, but I feel sometimes as though I need a bit more space to explain myself!
This week has been quite slow at work because graduate student Kelly and I are in the midst of working up figures for our paper and finishing up a very few minute details. Since Kelly has requested to actually write the paper, that leaves me with most of the "finishing up" experiments. These can be a bit slow because one usually has to be finished before moving on to another. All is going well and that leaves me time to write this blog post, play on facebook and pump lots of breastmilk! It's nice to have a bit of a break every once in a while. I'm sure next week will be busier.
I often think to myself that my boys are quite amazing...But the last couple of days have been exceptional. Lewis has been sleeping well, from 8:30 to 6:30, all week. Getting up at 6:30 is perfect because it gives him a chance to nurse for half an hour before being disturbed by the LOUD and rambunctious Henry. I very much enjoy that 30 minutes we spend together. Also, Henry, for the first time ever, TOLD us he had to pee before he actually peed. So, we got a night of pee on the toilet, wear underwear for an hour, pee on the toilet, wear underwear for a half and hour, shower...no accidents! Yipee!!! I feel as though the end may be in sight. I thought this day would never, ever come. I felt as though I was destined to change adult-sized poops 2-3 times a day, every day for the rest of my life...While I know this is ridiculous, this is often how it feels!
I am excited for the weekend. We have recently adopted a "shop every three weeks for groceries" plan and this has been giving us much more time to just hang out...I think tomorrow morning we will be heading out to breakfast and then to the farmers market. Hopefully, I can find some yummy fruits and veggies for Lewis to try. Then it's to refinishing some park benches we bought for our deck...and, of course, the UGA game tomorrow night...GO DAWGS (this part is for Trey). Sunday brings our standing playground date with Rafferty and his family (and maybe a few others), cooking and more fun! Hope you all have a nice weekend, too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)