September 30, 2008

my republican friends

I haven't posted in a long time because I can't get my mind to focus on anything but politics. So, since it's been a while, I'm just going to post-- about politics!

During my canvassing and phonebanking experiences in Kalkaska, we encounter mostly undecided folks who welcome the chance to discuss politics freely, because it's typically quite taboo in the workplace and social gatherings around here (yes, I'm trying to break free from that societal constriction).

So, the biggest two "beefs" that I have with McCain supporters is that the ones I have met are actually people who I consider friends, and I can't understand the logic behind their choice, and that has caused me some great frustration.

First, one of the issues people I know have struggled with is the whole pro-choice/pro-life drama. I don't quite get it... because if people look at the approaches taken by Obama and McCain with regards to sex education and accessibility of birth control, it is very clear that Obama's ideas would prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place! Hence, leading to less abortions. There is a much more eloquent opinion piece about this here, and I think it shows that Obama and Democrats take a much more common-sense approach actually in tune with the times.

The second issue that frustrates me is the whole identification with the Republican Party. People say that they believe in what the Republican Party represents... but hello!? The Republican Party has done anything BUT represent what they originally stood for. Small government? Less spending? Give me a break. Under some *new* democratic leadership from Barack Obama (that hasn't been completely overtaken by the power of big corporations), we surely won't see as much money being wasted on war and owed overseas. We surely won't bend over backwards for the big business people, and there will be some actual accountability where citizens can actually see how their tax dollars are being spent.

Note that I said *new* leadership... I am greatly aware that Democrats have been just as guilty of misleading the public and bowing to big business. But I believe that Senator Obama is different, and that he will lead our country to a better place.

September 21, 2008

slacker uprising

Tonight at the State Theatre, Michael Moore had a free viewing of his newest movie Slacker Uprising, which will also be available for free download on Tuesday. The movie was awesome-- footage from his 2004 Slacker Uprising tour to get out the vote, and even though we know how that election turned out, the film does a superb job of documenting the emergence of energy from young voters, and it really makes you want to get out and pound the pavement for the 2008 election.

Anyhow, one of the amazing things is that Bryce and I were quite involved in the 2004 campaign, and this film will help us share the "history" with our children someday. For one, it starts out in Elk Rapids, and you even see a shot of my head for a brief moment!

As we were driving home, Bryce mentioned how we were there at the beginning (in Elk Rapids), and how we were also with Michael Moore the day after the movie's end (election day... we watched the results come in at a friend's house, and michael and kathleen were there too). Right after Bryce said that, we noticed a mini-van next to us in the right lane-- and Michel Moore waving out the driver's window! Hilarious. So, we waved back and flashed the peace sign, once more amazed that northern Michigan has given us such a unique entryway into the world of true progressive thinkers.

September 12, 2008

only up north: raccoon rescue

After school yesterday, I was on the computer when Cosmo began barking ferociously from the couch. I, of course, yelled at him, because he always barks ferociously but it's not allowed indoors, but as he leaped down from couch, I saw a glimpse of a small furry animal climbing along the stone ledge of our house, turning the corner towards the flower box. I hustled over the dining room window and saw a baby raccoon peer around the corner. I grabbed the camera, ran outside, and got some photos. The little buddy was moving slowly and awkwardly, so I was very concerned about him.

I got online and found some wildlife rescue/removal numbers, and I called one up. By now, the raccoon sat in the middle of the road. The man on the phone said, "Let nature take its course," and I said, "even in the middle of our neighborhood?" He said being hit by a car would put it out of its misery, as surely it was sick. A car stopped in the road, and I went out to shout out to the driver-- He said call animal control, because the raccoon could be extremely vicious if someone went near it. So, feeling sad that the animal was headed to certain death, I resigned myself to the inevitable and got on google to find the number for Animal Control.

Suddenly, a car drove by quickly and came to an abrupt halt just past our house. The next time I glanced outside, the raccoon was gone! I jogged to the front door and spotted... a young guy carrying the raccoon in his arms, getting into the vehicle. I opened the door and called out, "Is that your pet?" (not sure what else to say), and he said, "Well, sort of," and got out of the car. I walked over to him, and he told me his story. Mama J has a license to raise raccoons, and they just happened to be driving by and spotted this one. At this point, another guy got out of the car, and 2 more climbed out of the back hatch. I was chuckling inside, because they truly looked like a gang of hoodlums... but they were the wildlife rescue teens apparently!

I asked why the raccoon didn't bite, and he said it is truly a baby and hasn't developed any of its senses yet. Vicious my a**! I told the guys that I had been so worried that the raccoon would end up dead, and they told me not to fear, "Mama J knows what to do." I asked, "Is your mom really good with animals?" and was told, "Mama J's not my mom; she's Billy Bob's mom, but yeah, she's good with animals." He offered to let me hold the baby, but I chose to just pet it instead. By now, the car had taken off and the boys were awaiting Mama J's arrival. One of the guys assured me, "Don't worry-- we've got tons of forest behind the house." I smiled in relief.

"There's Mama J now!", one shouted, and sure enough, an SUV was flying towards us. I managed to get a thank you in to Mama J, a middle-aged woman smoking a cigarette, as the head guy handed her the baby raccoon. But the group was too busy making plans for the baby and keeping it comfortable, so I made my way back towards the house... glancing back over my shoulder in awe, fascinated by these local wildlife heroes.

September 8, 2008

exhausted


No, the cat is not dead. It is simply *exhausted*, and it was the 2nd image to appear in my google image search for "exhausted"... and I thought it was appropriate, considering I am a crazy cat lady, my mother just thought that Ali had posted a photo of a dead Willow cat (not the case), and I am simply EXHAUSTED.

Allergies are on the attack, much later this year than usual. So, in addition to beginning the 2nd week of the school year (with a rather *lively* group of 1st graders), I am combating my itchy eyes, stuffy/runny nose (it goes back and forth), and scratchy/itchy throat. Itchy eyes mean that I forgo the contacts, so my glasses give me that greasy Christmas morning feeling (you know, when you're in your pajamas all day and don't shower). Stuffy/runny nose means my face is red and blotchy from rubbing (you know, when it somehow feels good to push down on your sinuses), and scratchy/itchy throat means I get impatient quickly (you know, when a drink of water doesn't offer relief and you have 22 kids demanding your attention).

The start of the school year (combined with election time) always overwhelms me with the onset of a busy schedule, much in the same way that summer's empty schedule overwhelms me at first. Any working person can relate, probably even non-working people, but let me do the quick list anyhow because it will help settle my mind... mentor meeting, mentee meetings, P-Bit refresher, Action Wednesdays, Saturday canvassing, Roman House Party, Obama House Party, Polish Fundraiser, Debate watching plans, DIBELS, switch times, KEA committee & Exec board, Curriculum Development Committee, entering voter data, and MORE lurking around the corner.

I need to remember how much I love staying active-- I am much happier when I am busy and using my time productively. I think perhaps I will up my allergy meds to perk me up! The other thing I need to remember is that the election stuff will be over in November, and that's the stuff that overtakes my thoughts on a regular basis. Just a healthy display of the OCD part of my brain! ;) It could be worse. Hehehe.

So, if another week or two pass without a new post, please take pity on me... and don't give up hope!

September 1, 2008

rally: on the road for change

My mother and I took a day trip to Battle Creek yesterday to attend a rally where Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden spoke to a crowd of over 16,000. Although the speeches were short and it was difficult to see the stage, the energy made the wait completely worthwhile. Unlike the time I saw Obama in Ohio during the primaries (a smaller townhall meeting), this was certainly a big event. My mom and I waited in the line for over an hour, then plopped down on the grass (we filled the field of a baseball stadium) to wait for another few hours with thousands of others... what a delightful group of people willing to give up their Sunday afternoons/evenings to see a man who inspires us all to do more than we have ever done before to fight for change.

On the more humorous side, I was hoping someone would scope out the crowd for people to place front and center for the speech-- I tried to look somewhat cute yesterday, but my mom really had the "look"... a battery-powered fan visor! The visor, combined with her spray bottle and electric handheld fan, certainly shouted "pick me" to the staff. Unfortunately, no one came around in search of us. Also on the humorous side-- we spotted some of our family friends the Jennings selling buttons for my old middle school history teacher, Mr. Hosner! I remember his classes, drawing political cartoons and holding the mock election in 7th grade (I "voted" for Ross Perot). And Mr. Jennings told us that they sell buttons at both Democratic and Republican events, and the Republicans are much more *conservative* with their purchases, whereas the Dems will buy them buy the bundle! :) I think we can wear them more proudly!

I almost forgot-- one of the most exciting moments was seeing Obama's bus leave with the entourage of police escorts and secret service... They had megaphones and forced cars to pull off the road, as it was the main exit from the stadium! When the last Secret Service SUV drove past, I gave a knowing smile to one of the men poised to spring out of the opened back... and he smiled knowingly back at me! I was thrilled.

Anyhow, here are some photos from our day-- forgive the out-of-focus stage shot!