I don't want to take up alot of space on the boards. There's lots of voices who want to be heard. Folks who want to talk about the stimulus package, the President's speech, and all the elements in play today.

I just wanted to post my diary today. Will edit it instead of making multiple posts.

I apologize for two things this morning right off the bat.

One?
I will definately be reading the comments but might save the responses for the diary. You aren't being ignored here. Not at all.

Two?

The first part of this entry might make folks think, "What a waste."  Thing is I'm a writer. Not by nature a political writer though. And well I think that when you write something? It should have a good beginning.

Now when you read this you may say to yourself," Now how in hades is this a good thing?"  And you'd be right. It doesn't sound good at first. But the thing is when you are engaged in conflict resolutions, when you are trying to find real solutions for groups with sometimes vastly different opinions on what those solutions are? It's a really good idea to have a clear picture of the parties involved.

That's where this diary entry begins.

I think the words are--

"We the people..."

Dear government,

Incase you didn't notice. "We the people" is suffering under some rather bleak conditions. And well the future don't look so good.

As a matter of fact we woke up thinking about last November's elections and whistling this song...

",,,Sunshine go away today,
I don't feel much like dancin'
Some man's gone, he's tried to run my life
Don't know what he's askin'

He tells me I'd better get in line
Can't hear what he's sayin'
When I grow up, I'm gonna make it mine
These ain't dues I been payin'

How much does it cost? I'll buy it.
The time is all we've lost. I'll try it.
He can't even run his own life,
I'll be damned if he'll run mine
Sunshine

Sunshine go away today,
I don't feel much like dancin'
Some man's gone, he's tried to run my life
Don't know what he's askin'

Working starts to make me wonder where
fruits of what I do are going
He says in love and war all is fair
He's got cards he ain't showin'

How much does it cost? I'll buy it.
The time is all we've lost. I'll try it.
He can't even run his own life,
I'll be damned if he'll run mine
Sunshine

Sunshine come on back another day
I promise you I'll be singin'
This old world she's gonna turn around
brand new bells'll be ringin',,,"

And as you may have noticed when you were making your decisions up in Washington, there was a new landscape. Alot of "...brand new bells..." were indeed ringing.

Maybe for some folks this is about scoring points.
Maybe for some folks this is about winning.

But for a whole lot of other folks on both side of the issue it's about having roofs over their heads and food in their mouths.

But as we were whistling this song? We went outside to feed the animals and get the paper.  We saw the miracle that folks can take for granted everyday.

We saw the dawning of a new day and the miracle of free speech.

Oh and we also saw our neighbor slapping his newly planted tree with the editorial page.

He's a hoot. You should meet him.

Now about that stimulus package.

Regards from the rest of the country.

To Be Continued...

I have been quiet here at 12 dogs since the beginning of the General Election. I post comments within the myDD diaries but I've keep 12 dogs silent.

I thought that I would be silent today too. I thought that today would be one of being quiet. Then I saw the LateLateShow with Craig Ferguson and heard his monologue about voting.

This got me thinking that the best memorial I could actually give was not one of silence but one spoken outloud.

My memorial was in response to a diary that linfar wrote.

What were you doing on September 11th, 2008.

This was my comment.

"Thank you for this diary. My thoughts to you folks, especially those who lived in the NYC/Penn/WashDC areas immediately after the attack.

The thing I remember about this day 7 years ago was the sureal nature of it. I could look out of the window to a beautiful September day. The only worries that I had that morning were finding and feeding the chickens and what to fix for lunch. My son was with me and okay. I could see outside the window as the images from NewYork were being broadcast on the tv screen. For a moment it was just so unreal what I was seeing on the television.

Unthinkable.

I'm sorry that the America that was unified after September 11th has in someway left and been replaced with anger and fatigue.

Even so. I am proud to be American.

I know that some folks seem to think that one political party or the other owns that phrase but they don't. If you're a citizen of the United States, you are an American. TrueBlue.

We can all be proud to be American regardless of our opinions on taxes, the war, healthcare, etc.

We are all Americans."

I just didn't feel like being silent.

Now I will go back to reading the comments here at myDD. I'm taking Mr. Ferguson's challenge to heart. I am trying to learn about the candidates. To do that, I will ask my questions and then hush up and listen.

Thank you linfar for the excellent diary.

12 dogs.

So yes I know. There are two blogs on the front. But you've got to admit there's a good reason here.

Do you know what all races on this Earth have in common?

The hard fought gains of freedom for women.

"It don't matter what race, age, or religion you are, being a female is just hard. There are so many people before who did their "darndest" to keep our "hearts, spirits, and feet bound" so that we couldn't escape. Oh our hearts and spirits do. Like some lovely caged bird we sing.  

But our "feet"?  Even after all this time and after all the work of those before us?

There is just always someone there who wants to keep them bound.

Good thing there are others who don't."

Hannah Murphy August 26, 2008

Note to self:

Tomorrow I start working to get a woman in the White House. Being positive and trying to find the joy in politics.

So it's tomorrow.

Hmmmm

What next?

Last night I posted a diary entitled Unity and Hope.

It was about understanding.

After I'd posted it someone asked the following question:

**Quote

"Re: Honest response

Why do you assume that electing a woman must come before electing a black man?  That is the impression I get from you.  The aspirations of minorities are no less important than that of women.  

The answer is that they are equally important and as progressives we should be rejoicing in this moment together."

************* endquote

I thought that was a pretty durn good and fair question.

The person that asked this question wasn't trying to fuss or antagonize. They recognized that this has been a long campaign. I'm going to post my reply because it just might help explain the reactions that Sen. Clinton's supporters might be feeling.

I did want to thank the folks who I came in contact with last night. Unlike the primary and it's aftermath, the  people who I talked with last night have been gracious.

We all seem to be trying very hard to get along.

Trying to understand.

I'm sure that alot of folks could use this kindness in the coming weeks. It doesn't mean you don't speak up or pull your punches on important issues. But alittle understanding goes a long way...

I had a long hard think about this question. I was wondering too. Why did this primary hit me so hard.

Why wasn't I happy...

This was my answer.

***Quote

"Because I am a female. One who has been alive quite a while now. I don't care what your race, your age, or your religion is being a woman is just tough.

My joy for one was taken away by the ill treatment of the other. My heart was breaking because of it. Imagine working so hard for so long and then once again being told to sit quietly and wait. You can. I can. Only on this ticket there was a chance to change that. To have that Unity Ticket I heard so much about.

To not even be considered after doing much better than Sen. Biden in the primaries. Or told that a female governor from Kansas who'd not gone through this process at all would be better because she was female.

But what was the saddest was that of all people you'd think that Sen. Obama would have understood that he had a chance to make history for women too. She worked so long and so hard. So many folks voted for her. Sheesh.

Better to have lost by a landslide than get this far and not even be considered.

I just thought he might understand that.

I'm female, mercy knows I do.

That's why.

I'm sorry you think that's condescending or holier than thou.

Now I've had enough election for this night.

This body needs it's beauty sleep. I'm turning in.

Tomorrow I start trying to help women get to run for president some day. Being positive and trying to find the joy in politics.

I'm sure that Sen. Obama has ever so much support that he won't miss me or my contribution one bit. But there are alot of female candidates who would.

Hope you have a good sleep.

12 dogs."

*********end quote

That was my honest answer.

I'm sorry if it's not the "correct one" but it sure was an honest one.

Hugs to the folks who replied to my blog.

Your kindness was welcome.

If you really want Unity in the Dem party?

The first steps?

Kindness and understanding.

Now, I'm going to be a "blog hog" and write another diary. When you see it, you'll understand why.

***quote
Oh and one other thing,

Do you know what all races on this Earth have in common?

The hard fought gains of freedom for women.

"It don't matter what race, age, or religion you are, being a female is just hard. There are so many people before who did their darndest to keep our "hearts, spirits, and feet bound" so that we couldn't escape. Oh our hearts and spirits do. Like some lovely caged bird we sing.  

But our "feet"?  Even after all this time and after all the work of those before us?

There is just always someone there who wants to keep them bound.

Good thing there are others who don't."

Hannah Murphy August 26, 2008

******end  quote.

Now about that other post.

This blog has been written because of comments by folks who believe that they have been unfairly treated. Folks who feel that the behavior of posters and the candidates have been biased and down right rude. This type of anger has led to a divide in the Dem party. In some cases, I've read that it has led to folks leaving the Dem Party.

If there is an element of this blog that you feel is trashing someone? Please ask before you jump to conclusions. The last diary, I said, was intended as a positive diary. I quoted something I'd read on the blogs.
.
There were commenters who gave me the benefit of the doubt.

They are one of the reasons that I'm writing this diary entry.

So please be kind enough to ask.

The benefit of a clarification never hurt anyone.

___

I came here to find information about the candidates. I live in a RedState. I just have to roll down the window during the middle of "Rush" hour to get a drift of what folks are thinking on the Republican side. But finding out information and meeting Dems isn't as easy.

I came here to meet folks and learn about the issues.

Now a long time ago, I was once told by a lady lawyer and professor that:

           Reasonable people can and do disagree.

But there is a difference between spirited debate while trying to find answers and being full of snark, scoring points, and being a thug.  

Or as my son said:

"There's a difference between "snark with ears" and "snark with just mouth".

Unlike some folks, I'm not professing sainthood here. Far from it. I can snark just like the rest. I like a friend who challenges.

But the thing is, if it stops being a challenge and starts to become a fist fight? It's time to ask why.

There are people on myDD and people in general who've been holding fist fights and it has just made folks mad.

So mad that they'd rather sit this election out thank you very much. They seem to feel that they've been had by their own political party. The party they counted on to represent their concerns in the WhiteHouse. Now they feel betrayed.

Yelling at them or telling them in anger that you just don't need their support won't make it better. Neither will the insults. The slang word "Cougar" isn't a compliment and yes it is sexist.

Another quote?

"Reasonable people will differ, but pizzing in their cornflakes? It just makes them mad." Hannah Murphy

So will calling them old, out of touch, low information, RedNeck, racist, cougars... well you've heard it too.

This has been keenly felt amongst the supporters of the feminist movement. These men and woman have fought hard so that their mothers, daughters, sisters---women every where-- should not be discriminated against. They remember what it was like before. The long struggles. It hurts. Yes it hurts to be told that you are unwelcome in the Dem Party. Especially when the folks saying it are the young women who have profited from the older feminist's work. The older feminist has seen both sides of gender discrimination. When you have seen and fought against sexism or any discrimination for that matter, you know why it is important not to take it for granted.

I am a woman. It hurts. Now adays you can choose  your path be it work or stay at home. There are non discrimation laws that prevent an employer from keeping the qualified woman home if she'd rather not. I am alot older than the younger feminists. So I have seen the world before Title IX and the Civil Rights Act. I was no baby while my mom worked and tried to cobble together childcare. They called us "latch key kids" . No wait I was a "latch key kid" before they even had a name for them. It's a different world kiddies. Guess what though, there are plenty of folks who'd just love to go back to the not so good old days.

These women and men, who've seen the hurt of sexism, have worked diligently to do more than put cracks in that glass ceiling. They feel that by this time in history,  it is wrong that the glass ceiling should even exist. There have been so many strong and highly qualified women who've never even run for office or who've been passed over yet again. Then to be put down, yes I said it, put down by other women who daily profit from the feminist movement.  That's got folks mad too. Imagine you had worked so hard. Imagine if you've worked hard to change things and been successful at it. Imagine working so hart to give women a choice to stay home or not  and then be told by the people who have prospered from your work,

"You don't count."

And these elderstateswomen and men of the modern feminist movement  have indeed been told that very thing.

That's one of the reasons folks are not happy in Denver or in many other parts of the country this day. They have fought too hard and too long only to be told,

"You don't count."

It is to these women and men I say,

"Yes, You do."

_____

I'm my last diary, I said that I would be working to see that a woman is elected to the office of President. This isn't a single issue. As I said in that diary, women cared very much about health care, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, immigration, education, the economy, the environment...

I'm just making sure that I put this at the top of the list.

Not getting passed over when you are the most qualified person for the job.

To me it is beyond believe, that in this day and age, this issue comes up when deciding who will sit in the Oval Office.

This is a copy of a blog that I posted earlier today.

I'm re posting it.

Along with comments.

I'm not sure what has happened to the original, but I'm sure we will sort it out soon.

In the mean time my apologies to the folks who posted. I will post your comments in the order they were made.
\
Thank you.

I think this is a great time to support a group to get a woman in the White House.

I love lemonaid. It's time to make some out of lemons.

From what I've been told, this Dem Party ticket doesn't need an old feminists help. So-- well-- I do like to fill up my days...

Is there a organization devoted exclusively to getting a woman in the White House? :D

If there is I'd rather spend my time  and money talking about that organization rather than venting.

You don't need me or my vote I've been told.

I've been told that over and over and over.

Why?
My crime?  Well I'm an old feminist and from the Deep South.

I'm told that I must be a "...RedNeck, racist, low information processing, high school dropout, old, out of touch, and inbred with my cousins..." voter.  You didn't bother to even ask who I was supporting either.

Well...

Folks were wrong.

I was told if I shut up and sang the praises of the candidate dujour?

I'd be allowed to stay and post here.

Now there are folks wanting to put rules on venting that have nothing, to my knowledge, to do with the actually running or moderation of this site.

Time to make lemonaid out of lemons.

As I said earlier, you've said you don't need me and I do have to fill up my days.

So this is how I'm going to do it.

I'm going to support a group or groups who support women in political office. Most importantly? I'm going to support a group whose goal is to put a WOMAN in the office of President of the United States.

You don't need me and frankly I don't have time for the nonsense I've seen so far in this election. And guess what? I don't have to leave myDD to do so.

There are voting Democrats,at least 50% voting in this primary, who are also anxious to see a woman president. They would also love to see woman in other political offices as well. They've been told that they aren't needed either. And they to have to spend their days doing something.

We want to see woman as President. We would have even been happy to see a woman as vice president.

There are women who are running for office or who would love to run for office. They  weren't successfull or didn't have the support to do so. We should give those women our time and our support. They'll be happy to have that vote and support from some old, southerner feminist. Really happy.

And since you don't need our help...

I'm sure that Obama/Biden, as I've been told, don't need us.

Also please note. MyDD is a website devoted to getting Democrats elected in to office. ANY OFFICE. It isn't against myDD policy to start campaigning for these woman now. To start giving our time and money to the women who want to run OR to those woman already in office who need our support. That would include the senator from New York, Hillary Clinton and the Gov. from the state of Kansas, Gov Kathleen Sebelius. There is not a thing wrong about posting about their efforts in government or their accomplishments. Not a durn anti myDD or anti Dem element in it. As a matter of fact they might just make an excellent presidential ticket.

NOW> Let's not get mad. Let's get women elected.

Yes, this diary has agendas, It is about getting  a woman elected for political office. It is a positive diary entry designed to help find the joy in politics again. If this election taught me anything, it is that there are alot of folks, men and women, who would very much like to see a woman in the White House. A momentum. It would be ashame to loose that support.

After all we old feminists are old enough to have seen what sexism looks like without the nondiscrimination laws.  

Remember the year of women in politics?  
I'll bet Sen. Clinton does.
So does Sen.Carol M Braun.

The first African American WOMAN in the US Senate.

The one that a myDDer told me was a light weight. Not worthy to be president. (After she told me that I had no clue what sexism was. She didn't know who Sen. Braun was by the way.)

Yeppers. Sen. Braun.
The one that both Sen. Clinton, President Clinton, and Sen. Obama campaigned for.
The one who got Sen Howell Heflin of Alabama, son of the fellow who coined the phrase "Yellow Dog Democrat, to change his vote for her issue. It was a "hot button" issue in his state by the way.

And yet, she wasn't considered to be good enough for president either.

I want to support the best candidate for office

And I'm going to be supporting the woman.

I'd love to have hung around and defended folks against the slogan,

"The New Democratic Party: The Chicago THUGS and HAIR PLUGS Party",

but you said you didn't need or want my support.

These woman in politics? They do.

Thanks.

[Update] Changed punctuation to clarify post. Small change in punctuation. Huge change in understanding

I think this is a great time to support a group to get a woman in the White House.

I love lemonaid. It's time to make some out of lemons.

From what I've been told, this Dem Party ticket doesn't need an old feminists help. So-- well-- I do like to fill up my days...

Is there a organization devoted exclusively to getting a woman in the White House? :D

If there is I'd rather spend my time  and money talking about that organization rather than venting.

You don't need me or my vote I've been told.

I've been told that over and over and over.

Why?
My crime?  Well I'm an old feminist and from the Deep South.

I'm told that I must be a "...RedNeck, racist, low information processing, high school dropout, old, out of touch, and inbred with my cousins..." voter.  You didn't bother to even ask who I was supporting either.

Well...

Folks were wrong.

I was told if I shut up and sang the praises of the candidate dujour?

I'd be allowed to stay and post here.

Now there are folks wanting to put rules on venting that have nothing, to my knowledge, to do with the actually running or moderation of this site.

Time to make lemonaid out of lemons.

As I said earlier, you've said you don't need me and I do have to fill up my days.

So this is how I'm going to do it.

I'm going to support a group or groups who support women in political office. Most importantly? I'm going to support a group whose goal is to put a WOMAN in the office of President of the United States.

You don't need me and frankly I don't have time for the nonsense I've seen so far in this election. And guess what? I don't have to leave myDD to do so.

There are voting Democrats,at least 50% voting in this primary, who are also anxious to see a woman president. They would also love to see woman in other political offices as well. They've been told that they aren't needed either. And they to have to spend their days doing something.

We want to see woman as President. We would have even been happy to see a woman as vice president.

There are women who are running for office or who would love to run for office. They  weren't successfull or didn't have the support to do so. We should give those women our time and our support. They'll be happy to have that vote and support from some old, southerner feminist. Really happy.

And since you don't need our help...

I'm sure that Obama/Biden, as I've been told, don't need us.

Also please note. MyDD is a website devoted to getting Democrats elected in to office. ANY OFFICE. It isn't against myDD policy to start campaigning for these woman now. To start giving our time and money to the women who want to run OR to those woman already in office who need our support. That would include the senator from New York, Hillary Clinton and the Gov. from the state of Kansas, Gov Kathleen Sebelius. There is not a thing wrong about posting about their efforts in government or their accomplishments. Not a durn anti myDD or anti Dem element in it. As a matter of fact they might just make an excellent presidential ticket.

NOW> Let's not get mad. Let's get women elected.

Yes, this diary has agendas, It is about getting  a woman elected for political office. It is a positive diary entry designed to help find the joy in politics again. If this election taught me anything, it is that there are alot of folks, men and women, who would very much like to see a woman in the White House. A momentum. It would be ashame to loose that support.

After all we old feminists are old enough to have seen what sexism looks like without the nondiscrimination laws.  

Remember the year of women in politics?  
I'll bet Sen. Clinton does.
So does Sen.Carol M Braun.

The first African American WOMAN in the US Senate.

The one that a myDDer told me was a light weight. Not worthy to be president. (After she told me that I had no clue what sexism was. She didn't know who Sen. Braun was by the way.)

Yeppers. Sen. Braun.
The one that both Sen. Clinton, President Clinton, and Sen. Obama campaigned for.
The one who got Sen Howell Heflin of Alabama, son of the fellow who coined the phrase "Yellow Dog Democrat, to change his vote for her issue. It was a "hot button" issue in his state by the way.

And yet, she wasn't considered to be good enough for president either.

I want to support the best candidate for office

And I'm going to be supporting the woman.

I'd love to have hung around and defended folks against the slogan,

"The New Democratic Party: The Chicago THUGS and HAIR PLUGS Party",

but you said you didn't need or want my support.

These woman in politics? They do.

Thanks.

[Update] Changed punctuation to clarify post. Small change in punctuation. Huge change in understanding.

So okay it's the weekend.
What's one little thing that we all can do this weekend to collectively have an impact on the environment. It should be something that anyone could do regardless of where they live and how much they make. Meaning it shouldn't cost. But if there is a long term solution that might mean a cash outlay include that too.  

I'll start.

Unplug "stuff" when you aren't using it.

No kidding.

We actually saw a decrease in our electrical bill by doing this.

If you unplug the computer, the television (anything with a remote control), small appliances with clocks (okay if you unplug other appliances, the coffee maker might not be so bad). I know this doesn't seem like a lot but folks it works. Anything with a remote or a clock is constantly using energy without benefit. All week, while you're at work, no one benefits from this energy use. So. Unplug.

Long term change requiring cash outlay?
Specialized surge protectors. More later.

Remember one thing that anyone could do with little to no cash outlay. Doesn't require special equipment. Anyone could do in any area of the country.

Thanks.

So why this post. Because while it is grand to have big picture ideas for national energy use, it really is the collective energy savings that we can easily and cheaply do everyday that will have the greatest impact. Just one little thing.

I'm hoping that will be one of the elements of the Dem Party's energy platform. Energy policy on the local level.

So, help what do you do that we can do too.

12 dogs.