in a police state...
Mayhem in St. Paul
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Just how stupid
can Americans be? This stupid:
A former celeb speaks out on Obama
That's pretty damned stupid. And, pretty damned stupid right out there where anybody can see it.
Wow. Dumbassery in action.
A former celeb speaks out on Obama
That's pretty damned stupid. And, pretty damned stupid right out there where anybody can see it.
Wow. Dumbassery in action.
No wonder the Republicrats are nervous
Look at this list of protests and various activities that are taking place in the Twins during the convention:
Events/Protest at the RNC
I especially like the thought of this one: 9/3/08 - 8 AM - Join the CEOs of Big Oil in Thanking the Texas Republican Delegates at their Hotel*
That's Netroots Nation in action.
* and the bastards are staying at MY hotel. damn their eyes.
Events/Protest at the RNC
I especially like the thought of this one: 9/3/08 - 8 AM - Join the CEOs of Big Oil in Thanking the Texas Republican Delegates at their Hotel*
That's Netroots Nation in action.
* and the bastards are staying at MY hotel. damn their eyes.
That's me, a netroots fan
OCA article
This struck me in particular:
"Millions of Americans, especially the "netroots," those drawing their information and inspiration from the open sources of the internet, are finally connecting the dots between the burning issues, moving beyond limited concerns to radical awareness. A politicized new majority is waking up to the fact that the proverbial "end" is near. We must move beyond "business as usual" and tepid reform. We must link together our burning issues, unite our heretofore-fragmented forces and communities into a qualitatively more powerful current, and press and confront the Fortune 500 and the nation's thousands of elected public officials-before it's too late."
I have never been very political as I have been working to raise a family and hold things together. Now, though, I am participating more actively because I see disaster not far down the road if we don't rise up and change things. Want a for instance?
Back some while ago, I heard from a local legislator in response to a message I sent in regards to biofuels and alternative energy. After some thought, I responded with a plea for foresight and judgment in the use of ethanol and the need for an acknowledgment of issues far greater than just the economy of Iowa. In other words, please Ms. Legislator, think beyond the county lines and Des Moines because Iowa will stand or fall with the rest of the country and world.
Has she responded in kind? Has she responded at ALL??? No. Perhaps my words fell on deaf ears. Perhaps she didn't understand what I was saying. Perhaps she doesn't want to know and prefers her insular and insulated opinion.
I don't know but her lack of response is indicative to me of a very good possibility that she really doesn't understand.
We must move beyond that type of purblind, introspective, selfish view. We must. There is no longer room for selfishness and greed. As the writer of the article states neither major party offers hope. The Republicans are controlled by a small, select group of neo-conservatives, neopentes and dominionists. The Democrats as a whole are timid and scared of losing their majority in Congress so they huddle around their campfire and bar the doors. Reminds me of the dwarves in C.S. Lewis finale to the Narnia books, "The Last Battle."
This too strikes a chord:
That may, in truth, be our only hope. Not a top-down change but change from down here upwards. How we proceed, how we build networks, understanding, will decide the destiny of our country. Nay, perhaps the destiny of the world.
Can we afford to ignore? Can we not heed the call? No.
So, from here to where? I don't know but I am looking forward to finding out.
This struck me in particular:
"Millions of Americans, especially the "netroots," those drawing their information and inspiration from the open sources of the internet, are finally connecting the dots between the burning issues, moving beyond limited concerns to radical awareness. A politicized new majority is waking up to the fact that the proverbial "end" is near. We must move beyond "business as usual" and tepid reform. We must link together our burning issues, unite our heretofore-fragmented forces and communities into a qualitatively more powerful current, and press and confront the Fortune 500 and the nation's thousands of elected public officials-before it's too late."
I have never been very political as I have been working to raise a family and hold things together. Now, though, I am participating more actively because I see disaster not far down the road if we don't rise up and change things. Want a for instance?
Back some while ago, I heard from a local legislator in response to a message I sent in regards to biofuels and alternative energy. After some thought, I responded with a plea for foresight and judgment in the use of ethanol and the need for an acknowledgment of issues far greater than just the economy of Iowa. In other words, please Ms. Legislator, think beyond the county lines and Des Moines because Iowa will stand or fall with the rest of the country and world.
Has she responded in kind? Has she responded at ALL??? No. Perhaps my words fell on deaf ears. Perhaps she didn't understand what I was saying. Perhaps she doesn't want to know and prefers her insular and insulated opinion.
I don't know but her lack of response is indicative to me of a very good possibility that she really doesn't understand.
We must move beyond that type of purblind, introspective, selfish view. We must. There is no longer room for selfishness and greed. As the writer of the article states neither major party offers hope. The Republicans are controlled by a small, select group of neo-conservatives, neopentes and dominionists. The Democrats as a whole are timid and scared of losing their majority in Congress so they huddle around their campfire and bar the doors. Reminds me of the dwarves in C.S. Lewis finale to the Narnia books, "The Last Battle."
This too strikes a chord:
"A potentially world-changing segment of the body politic is finally waking up to the fact that single-issue politics and limited-focus organizing cannot address the current Crisis. Facing a generalized breakdown of the political and economic System and a rapid degradation of global life-support systems, it is obviously insane to keep repeating, "My issue and my organization or my blog is more important than yours," or to wait for the Democratic Party and its latest middle of the road messiah, Barack Obama, to save us."
That may, in truth, be our only hope. Not a top-down change but change from down here upwards. How we proceed, how we build networks, understanding, will decide the destiny of our country. Nay, perhaps the destiny of the world.
Can we afford to ignore? Can we not heed the call? No.
So, from here to where? I don't know but I am looking forward to finding out.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Dysgraphia*
DIL came up Saturday for a short visit. Had some barware, photos, a pasta machine and raclette grill for her to haul back with her.
In talking about her classes this year, she mentioned that one of her students has a condition called "dysgraphia." Evidently, it can occur when a person who is strongly left-handed is forced to write solely with their right hand. She noticed several instances in her student's work that reflected characteristics of SS's handwriting.
He does write upside down and she pointed out the problems with letter formation, some letters backwards, and many not complete. He also uses a strange mix of upper- and lower-case letters, possibly due to difficulties in controlling hand movements.
This situation has been frustrating for all concerned. The schools, us, his step-siblings, and most of all for him. He resists the school's efforts to help him with letter formation and hand movement. Probably a pride-thing going on with that.
DIL says that her student was told to start doing things left-handed. Brush teeth, for instance, then work your way up to trying handwriting.
I think, when SS gets home this evening, his father is planning on talking to him about trying a left-handed approach.
We shall see. It would be much better for him to get this straightened out before he gets any older. I will see how it goes before I say anything to the teachers, too.
* I haven't looked this up yet but plan on doing so. What do you think, E?
In talking about her classes this year, she mentioned that one of her students has a condition called "dysgraphia." Evidently, it can occur when a person who is strongly left-handed is forced to write solely with their right hand. She noticed several instances in her student's work that reflected characteristics of SS's handwriting.
He does write upside down and she pointed out the problems with letter formation, some letters backwards, and many not complete. He also uses a strange mix of upper- and lower-case letters, possibly due to difficulties in controlling hand movements.This situation has been frustrating for all concerned. The schools, us, his step-siblings, and most of all for him. He resists the school's efforts to help him with letter formation and hand movement. Probably a pride-thing going on with that.
DIL says that her student was told to start doing things left-handed. Brush teeth, for instance, then work your way up to trying handwriting.
I think, when SS gets home this evening, his father is planning on talking to him about trying a left-handed approach.
We shall see. It would be much better for him to get this straightened out before he gets any older. I will see how it goes before I say anything to the teachers, too.
* I haven't looked this up yet but plan on doing so. What do you think, E?
Waggy and the Camping Trip
Mistress Fry Bread the Great likes going places so we decided to take her down yesterday to the campground for the night.
We thought she'd like that.
She didn't.
She spent the first hour huddling under Himself's legs.
The second hour under the rv.
The third hour in an undecided state as to whether she should be under the rv or Himself's legs.
Around the fourth hour she finally got up and staggered down the bank to relieve herself.
Then back up under the rv.
We cooked supper. Ate supper. Cleaned up after supper. She still wasn't liking the situation.
She did cheer up some when she got a bone from the steaks.
Then it was bedtime.
I got up in the middle of the night to go to the potty.
Stepped on the dog who was laying right next to the bed on the bathroom linoleum.
Her bedding was up at the other end of the rv.
Escorted Her Majesty to her bedding and left her there.
She was still there this am.
At least she didn't pee on the floor.
Nor bark.
Nor whine.
Just sulked.
She came back with me this morning and is currently out like a light in her dog cage.
Goofy beast.
We thought she'd like that.
She didn't.
She spent the first hour huddling under Himself's legs.
The second hour under the rv.
The third hour in an undecided state as to whether she should be under the rv or Himself's legs.
Around the fourth hour she finally got up and staggered down the bank to relieve herself.
Then back up under the rv.
We cooked supper. Ate supper. Cleaned up after supper. She still wasn't liking the situation.
She did cheer up some when she got a bone from the steaks.
Then it was bedtime.
I got up in the middle of the night to go to the potty.
Stepped on the dog who was laying right next to the bed on the bathroom linoleum.
Her bedding was up at the other end of the rv.
Escorted Her Majesty to her bedding and left her there.
She was still there this am.
At least she didn't pee on the floor.
Nor bark.
Nor whine.
Just sulked.
She came back with me this morning and is currently out like a light in her dog cage.
Goofy beast.
Wonderful weekend!
Himself and I took the rv, ourselves and food about 20 miles away for the weekend.
No kids. No phones. No tv.
We had a marvelous time doing nothing but chat, eat and sleep. The campground is very clean and, even though it was nearly full, the hordes of small children running around were very well behaved. There were no loud parties, no yelling drunks, no fights. Just quiet and relaxation.
We had the end spot, about 40 feet from the footbridge that crosses the creek. We had a lot of fun watching the kids and adults on the bridge, catching turtles and small fish. The little guys got so excited about catching a sunfish that they left their sister with the fish on the pole and ran all the way down the campground to get Dad. By the time they got there and had Dad in tow, sis had lost the fish. This begat wailing and perturbations but they didn't last long. LOL
We had burgers Friday night and brats Saturday night. Then jerk chicken on an open campfire with Himself's best baked beans. Thick t-bone steaks and baked taters on the campfire last night, too. We just pigged out all weekend.
Went to bed when we wanted to, got up when we wanted to. Did what we wanted to, or not, just as we wished. A small oasis in an otherwise nutty life.
An added bonus was that Himself finally (FINALLY!) got to go golfing. He was so happy about that. The first round went pretty fast even though he was pretty rusty. The second round he was hitting better but ended up behind a woman with two teenagers. He let them play through becausethey had a cart. Turned out to be a small error. The woman and boy neither could hit worth a darn. After mis-tees, balls in the ditch, over on a parallel hole and a very slow rate of play, Himself was wishing he had just kept going ahead of them. He said that he could play a hole and be up at the next tee before they managed to get their balls down the fairway. LOL Considering the fact that it was blazing hot and extremely humid, it made for a long afternoon. He enjoyed himself, just the same. Made us both happy.
I used the time to straighten the rv, do some cleaning and general piddling around. Around 11 a.m. I decided to pack up some stuff and bring it back. Walked into the house (which is still standing, BTW) and there were (and still are) dishes piled up in the sink and on the counter. Dishwasher not emptied and starting to smell a bit weird. Books and art supplies all over the living room. Oh, well, counting our blessings? There were no accidents, mishaps, drunks or anything seriously out of the ordinary while we were gone. We don't expect such things but, with teen age boys, you just never know.
After Himself gets off this afternoon, we will drive down, finish locking everything down and bring the beast home. Campers are supposed to be out by noon but there isn't anything we can do about the schedule.* I don't drive the thing because the steering is weird and I just freeze. I might consider giving it a shot but the wind is blowing quite strongly from the southwest and I don't think I could hold it on the road. It's no big deal for him, though. He's accustomed to driving 80,000 pound death bullets in all kinds of weather, road conditions and traffic. A little wind a loose steering is like a walk in the park to him.
I'm home now (obviously) but not doing much of anything. I suppose it would be a good idea to run that dishwasher again, just to rinse things off. I might do that later. Right now I'm otherwise occupied.
It was just so nice to have the time all by ourselves.
* We've never stayed at this particular campground before and, as there isn't a full time attendant nor a "host camper," I don't know who would raise a fuss. If someone does, I will just handle whatever needs to be done. The park is owned by the county conservation commission and only has part-time employees. Don't know who I'd talk to about leaving the unit there, anyway, so.... we shall see what we see. If it even comes up.
No kids. No phones. No tv.
We had a marvelous time doing nothing but chat, eat and sleep. The campground is very clean and, even though it was nearly full, the hordes of small children running around were very well behaved. There were no loud parties, no yelling drunks, no fights. Just quiet and relaxation.
We had the end spot, about 40 feet from the footbridge that crosses the creek. We had a lot of fun watching the kids and adults on the bridge, catching turtles and small fish. The little guys got so excited about catching a sunfish that they left their sister with the fish on the pole and ran all the way down the campground to get Dad. By the time they got there and had Dad in tow, sis had lost the fish. This begat wailing and perturbations but they didn't last long. LOL
We had burgers Friday night and brats Saturday night. Then jerk chicken on an open campfire with Himself's best baked beans. Thick t-bone steaks and baked taters on the campfire last night, too. We just pigged out all weekend.
Went to bed when we wanted to, got up when we wanted to. Did what we wanted to, or not, just as we wished. A small oasis in an otherwise nutty life.
An added bonus was that Himself finally (FINALLY!) got to go golfing. He was so happy about that. The first round went pretty fast even though he was pretty rusty. The second round he was hitting better but ended up behind a woman with two teenagers. He let them play through becausethey had a cart. Turned out to be a small error. The woman and boy neither could hit worth a darn. After mis-tees, balls in the ditch, over on a parallel hole and a very slow rate of play, Himself was wishing he had just kept going ahead of them. He said that he could play a hole and be up at the next tee before they managed to get their balls down the fairway. LOL Considering the fact that it was blazing hot and extremely humid, it made for a long afternoon. He enjoyed himself, just the same. Made us both happy.
I used the time to straighten the rv, do some cleaning and general piddling around. Around 11 a.m. I decided to pack up some stuff and bring it back. Walked into the house (which is still standing, BTW) and there were (and still are) dishes piled up in the sink and on the counter. Dishwasher not emptied and starting to smell a bit weird. Books and art supplies all over the living room. Oh, well, counting our blessings? There were no accidents, mishaps, drunks or anything seriously out of the ordinary while we were gone. We don't expect such things but, with teen age boys, you just never know.
After Himself gets off this afternoon, we will drive down, finish locking everything down and bring the beast home. Campers are supposed to be out by noon but there isn't anything we can do about the schedule.* I don't drive the thing because the steering is weird and I just freeze. I might consider giving it a shot but the wind is blowing quite strongly from the southwest and I don't think I could hold it on the road. It's no big deal for him, though. He's accustomed to driving 80,000 pound death bullets in all kinds of weather, road conditions and traffic. A little wind a loose steering is like a walk in the park to him.
I'm home now (obviously) but not doing much of anything. I suppose it would be a good idea to run that dishwasher again, just to rinse things off. I might do that later. Right now I'm otherwise occupied.
It was just so nice to have the time all by ourselves.
* We've never stayed at this particular campground before and, as there isn't a full time attendant nor a "host camper," I don't know who would raise a fuss. If someone does, I will just handle whatever needs to be done. The park is owned by the county conservation commission and only has part-time employees. Don't know who I'd talk to about leaving the unit there, anyway, so.... we shall see what we see. If it even comes up.
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