It's here

Just a short note to say that ths shirt is here. (good thing I spellchecked that.... shirt minus and r isn't what I intended to say!) When the time is right we will be sure to snap those pics for all 4 of us to see:)

Gah. I feel dirty:)

Yep, been online looking to buy (gah, buy!) an Obama shirt. Oh, the horror I tell ya! And now, of course, I feel dirty:)

So, the run down: I've been horribly busy trying to clear housing, move in with my folks, talk to my hubby via an Internet telephone and run to Utah and back. Needless to say blogging wasn't my primary concern. That all being said, I am in a (mostly) stable moment and it's time to make good on the bet. I did the dirty work for Dad, getting the shirt, and as soon as it's in we'll post a picture of it. Anyone have a suggestion for the backdrop? I mean, I wanted Dug in his infamous shorts and socks after all. Now, we might not take the suggestion, but it might be fun to see what ya'll think. And by ya'll I mean Gramps, Dug and Chris cause I don't think there's anyone else out there.

And if anyone else is out there... Well, then, HI there!

So, stay tuned. Not only will there be pictures, but I'll have to enlighten you all as to why I moved and why I'm talking to Hubby via a phone line.

Uh, I'll try not to take a month this time!

A departure from my Conservative roots

Alrighty, like the title says, I have something to say that most conservatives won't agree with.

Here goes.

Here in California there is Prop 8 out to set marriage as between a man and woman. I'm not going to do a blog about moral issues or any of that. No, I have a much simpler reason for not supporting Prop 8 and it is because of civil rights.

The proponents of Prop 8, and of the defense of marriage issues in general, say that not allowing same sex marriage is not a civil rights issue, but I disagree. It is paramount to not allowing a black man and a white woman to marry. I use to support the idea that gay marriage was not an appropriate thing for our nation to allow; then I became heavily involved with a forum website that takes on these kinds of issues (politics, religion, 9-11, etc). I started the thread against gay marriage and I will admit that it changed my mind. And here's why.

In our society, marriage is the legal way for a couple to announce their intentions to petition the government for certain legal rights. To disallow certain legal age citizens to petition for these right based on something like gender is a civil rights issue. From a legal standing, not allowing two people to petition for legal status, and yet allows others the same right, is not freedom. I have many issues with the serious lack of freedom in this country (income tax, ever heard of it?), and I take serious issue with the idea that "freedom" should be the reasoning for allowing all manner of things to take place; however, in this situation it is a serious infringement upon my freedoms to not be able to gain legal rights because of something as minor as gender.

Yes, I said minor. I understand where the defense of marriage folks are coming from. They look around and see drive through divorce shops, families shattered, morals declining, and a general muckery of the institution of marriage and family. Totally with ya. But this isn't the way to go about saving the family. It just isn't, and it doesn't give you the right to say that person A and B are fit for marriage and person C and D are unfit. I've met persons A and B, and trust me that they shouldn't be married. C and D? Great together. Totally. Does it matter their gender? Really? Why? Cause they will teach gay marriage in school? Sorry, doesn't fly with me.

As schools are already teaching abhorrent sexual issues (right to choose, my ass), and sex ed is being taught as early as 2nd grade, I don't think that gay marriage is our biggest concern with the educational system. That modern teachers have almost unlimited rights to teach any (left-leaning) propaganda that they choose (remember, I'm in Cali, and educated here), and that parents have little to no say in a child's education is a much, much scarier issue for me. As long as they aren't teaching what happens on the honeymoon, why is talking about gay marriage so terrifying?

So, no, I don't support ending my right to marry whomever I wish. Because, even though I'm happily married to an opposite sex partner, I'm American enough to be pissy that someone thinks they have the right to tell me whom I can marry and who I can't.

*Edit to add: I understand that many Christian see this as a moral issue, but I strongly feel that if that is what you believe, then you should preach it not legislate it. What I'm talking about here is the legal standing of two people. Legal. Not moral.

Throwdown!

Well, this little blog has gotten a little more exciting recently as Dad and Dug have been having a spirited bit of debabte! In the process, Dad threw out the challenge that he who's candidate isn't elected will post a picture of themselves in the other candidates shirt! Now, Dug is undeterred, but then Dug has a decidedly fun wardrobe and I personally hope McCain wins even if it's just to see Dug in a Palin shirt, plaid shorts, and (if I'm lucky) a bike with a basket on the front. (Really, go read his blog, and while you are at it, go visit Elden. They are great and it's kinda backstory:)

So, there it is, Challenge throwndown, Challenge accepted! Alright then.... This should be fun:) We'll have to get all the rules ironed down, but stay tuned, only 3 weeks to go!


On a personal note from me:
This has been an interesting experience for me as I have a distinct tendency to shy away from confrontation.... But, really, Dad and Dug have been having a friendly discussion about this election and that has been sorely missing the last few years I think. The election has become a yelling match that has had a very mean streak in it. This nation has always been divided when it comes to politics, this election is no different. It's just nice to see people with such different views that can still be friendly. Okay. All done:)

Dad's Response

The following is a response by Dad:

Polls are essentially meaningless. Reagan was down 8 points in 1980. W was down twice. How'd that work out? Polls are dependent on just who's being polled and the questions being asked.

Sarah Palin knows enough. It's about Leadership and she's got it in spades. All the rest is subject matter and we can hire experts for that.

Sarah Palin is in fact "Joe Sixpack" (or Jane actually) and that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. If you think the common man isn't qualified to be President you're badly mistaken. It's time and past time we kicked the professional politicians out of office and returned this country to the common man. Or woman. Heh heh.

I think liberals do in fact hate Palin. She's been excoriated in the media. She's bright, intelligent, well spoken (yes, I did indeed say well spoken), possessed of her fair share of common sense and decisive. In short she's supremely well qualified to be Vice president or President. I wish she was at the top of the ticket to tell the truth. She's a leader.

My argument against Obama has nothing to do with his qualifications (though if his connections with such as Ayers and ACORN don't give you pause I have to wonder what will). It's that he's the most liberal candidate to ever make a serious run for President and that's exactly the wrong person to lead this country.

I might be wrong but I don't think so. Tell you what, in the interest of continuing a friendly disagreement how about making it interesting? If I'm wrong I'll buy and publicly wear an Obama shirt. I'm sure Jen would be happy to publish a pic of it here. Against that? A pic of you publicly wearing a Sarah Palin shirt of course. Any takers? How about it Dug? I read your blog (excellent and very funny by the way. If you haven't read it please do and be sure to support cancer research) and I think you'd look just precious wearing a nice pink Palin t-shirt. Either way, one side is going to be badly disappointed, might as well have some fun.
Eric

Ironic....

I got a comment from a reader likening the political process to football; the reader used the 49ers to illustrate the point. I call this ironic cause look what I got to do last weekend:

It was a fun game, and rather interesting. Hubby is a big time Pats fan (and I will admit that I love watching them play) but my team has been, and continues to be despite horrible seasons, the 49ers. So, yeah, fun was had:) Even though we lost (sigh) I was ecstatic to actually be sitting there watching the game live.

It was amazing to be in the stands. The crowd roaring, screaming on their heroes. Thousands of people surging to their feet at the same moment, screaming their joy, pumping their arms, as a single body of fans. Utterly amazing. It's an experience I'll not soon forget.

Which is another irony.... The only reason we went is cause it was a Pats game! Hubby has seriously wanted to go to a game and Foxboro is just a wee bit far away! (Boy I really am British, I wanted to spell it Foxborough.) When he saw they were gonna be here he snatched up two tickets. Though, not to make it seem too selfish, he was thoughtful of me. The Pats will be here in Oakland, San Diego and up in SF. That he chose the SF game was (mostly:) because he loves me. It was a wonderful weekend!

Oh, and did I mention that they retired Steve Young's jersey? Hell yeah! Envy me:)

A response

Dad got a few comments from Liberals who didn't agree with his opinion about Gov. Palin. I have to admit to being surprised that people actually have the opinions they do.

First of all, if Gov. Palin isn't qualified for the job how in the WORLD do you think this Junior Senator has anywhere near the qualifications to run America? If Gov. Palin, after running a state, balancing budgets and dealing with the national guard, isn't qualified, how is voting "Present" 129 times in the Illinois state senate made Senator Obama qualified?? He has had a lackluster career at Congress and has no real leadership roles on his resume.

What I do know of him is that he isn't near as smart as he thinks he is. At least Palin isn't trying to be something she isn't.

Guest Blogger: My Dad

A Word About Sarah From a Father And Husband

First, this blog belongs to my daughter but she’s agreed to let me rant on here from time to time. The opinions contained herein are mine and mine alone and she bears no responsibility for them. Of course she’s an adult but I’ll get to that in a moment.

Listen up you liberal children; it’s time and past time for the adults to do a little disciplining. A spanking is due and it’s coming but it does no good for a bratty child to be corrected if they don’t know what they’re being spanked for.

You Liberals are the most self deluding group of squalling children I have ever seen. You seem to believe, I mean REALLY BELIEVE that anyone who does not think like you is in a wrong headed minority. Nothing could be further from the truth. Whether they call themselves Republican, Democrat, Independent or whatever, the majority of Americans are pretty much middle of the road. We are separated primarily by our views on a very few issues but we are united by a great many more. Equality, fairness, respect, family, friends, hard work, you know, the American Way.

The Liberal attack on Sarah Palin pisses us off in a fundamental way. It attacks us at our core values; that every person should be judged by the same template. She’s being attacked for being what so many of us are, every day Americans. It doesn’t matter if you’re a hunter or not. It doesn’t matter if your kids played hockey or any sport for that matter. Ever had a special needs baby? Maybe your teenage daughter got pregnant. No? It’s happened to us and continues to happen every day. No outsiders allowed to play in the big sandbox you say. We say bullshit. Just take a seat and watch.

The argument against Sarah Palin boils down to one basic fact; she’s a conservative. Worse, she’s a Republican! It’s the truth, don’t bother to deny it. The liberal media wouldn’t have dared to attack a liberal woman the way Sarah’s been assailed. Even the idea that a woman couldn’t be a working mother would itself have come under intense media bombardment as just another proof of the Neanderthal nature of conservatives. Dear liberal children, where are the calls for reasonableness? Where are the rallies for a woman’s right to choose? Just because she chose conservatism is no reason to be shy. Come on, speak up now. No? How about a sit in protesting for open mindedness, freedom and love? Not today you say? Typical spoiled rotten childish behavior. No tantrums now. Stamping your little feet and crying about how unfair we parents are being won’t help. A spanking is coming.

I am a father and a husband. My wife got pregnant at 17. Oh the shame. We got married and did our best to muddle by. It’s been 30 years last August. My wife bore a girl child and we raised her as best we could. Were we always perfect parents? Hell no but we did the best we could. Just like most Americans. Those Americans are out there right now, speaking volumes. Can you hear them? No? Most children can’t hear Mom and Dad when they’re called in for supper, chores, homework and bed. They hear ice cream of course but little else. It’s not really their fault it’s ours. The parents. Us. We’re just going to have to fix that little thing and teach you to listen more and talk less.

My daughter is mostly conservative (I don’t want to put words in her mouth but I’ve met the girl once or twice and I think I have a fair idea of her positions and basic nature). Are you liberal children trying to tell me that she’s unqualified for higher office in this country because she has chosen to have her children and might want to have a career as well, owns and shoots guns (Oh dear again), loves her husband and kids, wears blue jeans and sweatshirts, quilts, and sometimes acts in ways you have oh so reasonably termed “white trash”? Guess again Skippy. She’s one of the smartest people I know. Way smarter than me and I’m not exactly a drooling idiot (whatever you might think). She’s been around the world. She’s served her country and continues to do so as the wife of a serving member of the armed forces. Well, he’s in the Air Force but it’s close enough (just kidding Rob). She’s raising 2 kids and taking care of a very busy household. She’s fiercely loyal to friends, family and those she loves. She’s very well read and has even explored other religions. Gasp! Say it ain’t so! I could go on and on but I won’t. The point is clear by now. I got news for you kids, she’s about ten thousand times better qualified for President (not to mention Vice President) than Obama. When you attacked Sarah you quite literally attacked my wife and daughter. Mine and a whole lot of other Americans. In doing so you unmasked yourself as the close minded, spoiled, angry children you are. You have made it clear you consider any woman not of your liberal persuasion “not qualified” to be Vice President. You also directly challenged the adults and that’s very much a no-no kiddies.

We’ve been spoiling you liberal kids for too long now. It’s time to step in and do what we parents have to do from time to time, administer a little discipline. Let the spanking commence.

The first one will come this November. Kids, I hate to tell you this but McCain and Palin will be elected. It won’t even be close. You can watch all the drive by media pundits you want to. I’m sure they’ll tell you comforting things but the truth is clear to us adults. I’m sorry but Obama is a no go. It sounds all nice and gooey but the man is socialist who consorts with people we don’t think are good influences on you, so, No. You can’t play with him any more. Sting a little? Good.

And I’ve got even worse news for you. The American people are going to elect a woman President, probably in 2012 but for sure in 2016 and her name will not be Hillary. Her name will be Sarah Palin. Write that down and get the spelling correct, you’ll be putting it in the history books. And it’ll be us, the American adults who’ll be doing it. All colors, both genders, every socioeconomic group, every religious group. Us. The adults. Did that hurt? It’s supposed to.

We don’t do this because we hate you. Quite the contrary, we do this because we love you and hold out a parents hope that you’ll see the error of your ways and become productive adults yourselves. Personally I really believe most of you are lost causes but a parent’s love knows no bounds.

Just know that this is going to hurt you a lot more than it’s going to hurt us. Still, we see no way to avoid it.

Now, go cut me a switch and you think about what you did on your way.

Almost, almost, almost

Almost done! Two of my classes have ended, my last final is tomrrow! Whoo and hoo! I've been writing blogs in my head, I just haven't had the time to actually post any. Shame, cause I'm, like, totally insightful and stuff! I'm just really glad to be moving in life, at this point. With 2 months of sickness, anatomy, a kid entering the "terrible two's" and one just leaving them, it's been quite the ride. At this point I am really glad that this particular merry-go-round has an end. So, once I have the energy I'll try to update the blog for those of you with nothing better to do than check in on me:) The plan is to not have it be 6 weeks in between blogs!!

The Crud

GAH! I hate being sick, and every time the kids get sick I get sick. Maybe it's the, ahem, few extra pounds, maybe it's the close proximity to the kids, I don't know, but I hate it! Little B got sick on Wednesday night, throwing up. That's fine, he acted okay except for that bit. And at least he slept through the night. Little J, on the other hand, got sick on Thursday night... And fricken' threw up all fricken' night long! I got sick that night as well, so Poor Hubby had to do most of the work with the girl. We finally got to the point of just turning the blanket around to a mostly dry side, or folding it in half! We had no choice, the little stinker went through my entire blanket collection. In one night. Sigh. And poor me. I had it at both ends. I suppose that's a so to speak! Anyway, I finally got to eat yesterday and I feel a bit better now. I weighed myself that first day and I had lost 5 pounds of water weight overnight! Scary! But we seem to be on the mend now.

Okay, so now that I have grossed you all out, I suppose I should tell you about something more pleasant. But the only thing I've got at the moment is: I think I'm gonna fail my next anatomy test. Sigh. It's the nerves and brain, eyes and ears... And it's a bitch. On top of that Thurs-Sat were basically non-study days when I had expected them to be big study days! So I will do what I can tonight and tomorrow. Oh, and Hubby's best friend is in town. They've been safely in Northern Cal the last few days. But they get back today, so the chances of massive study time the next two days? I'll let you decide.

So, yeah, I guess we will see!

handedness

My daughter is lefthanded. I just assumed that she was because her paternal Grandmother is. Alas, this is not so. Well, more accurately, it is not soley why. In Anatomy today we were discussing the brain and it's associated parts; part of the discussion was about how information crosses from one hand to the opposite side of the brain, as well as, the parts of the brain that control fine motor actions (like writing). All of this led me to ask the question: "Why are some left-handed and some, right?" Apparently it goes something like this...

We are all genetically prediposed to a handedness, either left or right; we are hardwired to use one side more easily and unconciously then the other. The left genetic dispostion is a recessive trait, meaning that both mom and dad have to possess the gene. As little J is left handed, that means that her daddy got it from his mommy and I got it from...? I'm guess Dad, as he tends to be rather ambidextrose.

So, how cool is that? Not only is she blond with blue eyes, but she's a lefty too! She really is special. Though, please, what ever you do, don't tell her that! She already likes herself plenty:)

BIKES!

Yep, we bought bikes. Sweet cruiser bikes too! Though it's been rather tough getting use to the cruiser style. Granted it's been a decade since I've been on a bike, and I'm much more use to mountain bikes, but still, I think I did alright! This is actually the hubbies bike in the foreground, you can see mine in the back:

We put really cool kid seats on them so we can go as a family! And now, of course, all I hear is them wanting to put helmets on and go on the big bikes. It's tough to say no to those little adoring faces:) But I find a way! Hah! The problem is that Daddy has been working nights and isn't home (and awake) at a time that we can go out.

Ah, they caught site of the photos... here we go!

"Ride bike, Mommy, ride bike! Ride bike, Mommy, ride bike!" chants the little one.

"I want the big bike! I want the big bike" whines the big one. Sigh.

So. there ya go! They love them, and we have lots of fun. Well, mostly...

See, Mommy is desperatly out of shape and, though I enjoy the rides, it is a lot of work for me. 2% grade and I feel like my poor thighs are going to explode. I sure can see that if we keep this up once or twice a week I should start to see some changes!

Constitutionalism

There's been an odd turn of events in California as of late; apparently California is considering coming out of the Communist closet! I say this for two reasons:

California has decided that, unless the appeal is overturned, parents can not home school their children unless they are certified teachers. The main crux of the argument? That California parents do not have the constitutional right to homeschooling.

"However, California courts have held that under provisions in the Education Code, parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children."

Grace v. Superior Court of California

Gah.

And the second reason is the bill before the state legislature (SB 1322) which, if passed, would allow teachers to indoctrinate students in Communism. I'm not joking. Read the excerpt:

"(3) Existing law prohibits a teacher from giving instruction and prohibits a school district from sponsoring any activity that reflects adversely upon a person because of his or her race, sex,color, creed, handicap, national origin, or ancestry. This bill would delete provisions that prohibit a teacher giving instruction in a school or on property belonging to an agency included in the public school system from teaching communism with the intent to indoctrinate or to inculcate in the mind of any pupil a preference for communism. The bill would also delete provisions that a teacher may be dismissed from employment if he or she teaches communism in that way." (Emphasis mine)

SB 1322

Oh. My. God.

Have they lost their fricken minds??? I think someone needs to go back to school and learn a think or two about both the constitution and about communism. I'm gonna make my point about the homeschooling and then let you all check out the actual articles if you are of a mind to.

A constitution is to tell the State (or nation, using the modern vernacular) what it can and can't do. America was founded on the Natural Right Theory, which says that we as individuals were endowed with certain rights (inalienable, even). We have them, they are ours. The only way that government can gain it's right is to have the body of citizens give the gov THEIR right to use. So, if I have the right to defend myself, I can give the state the right to defend me. Using this idea, then, I can give to the State of California the right to educate my children (because it is a right I have). However, I also have the right to take back any right I give to the state! Meaning, that if I gave California the right to educate my children, I can take away their right to educate my children. I don't NEED a constitutional right to home school, it is a basic right. The state cannot take that right from me, and therefore cannot rule that I have no "constitutional" right to home school my children. My right doesn't come from them, and they can't take the right away from me.

Alrighty then. I feel better for getting that off my chest:)