It's a Day to Be All for One and One for All Thing

Dear America,

Sharp contrast in motion:

FIRST, read THIS, from Peter Ferrara @ Forbes.

Then know this:  HE watched the attack in Benghazi, and the very next day he flew to Vegas for a fundraiser.  Appropriate?  Good Call?  huh, allow me to think about that for all of two seconds.

But cue an epic storm, "Sandy" -- he's all of a sudden remembered he needs be the leader.  The President goes back to Washington.

Oh hindsight is 20/20 isn't it, Mr. President?

If only.

If only you had stayed in Washington circa September 12th, 13th, 14th -- at least over a few days, just long enough to get plenty of photo-ops sitting in the Oval Office and showing the world you were on it.  If only you had given it more thought to the advantages of staying, instead of squeezing in a few senseless appearances in the middle of unmitigated "acts of terrorism."  If only, right?

Clearly, looking back at moving FORWARD, the question of 'should I stay or should I go now', was not even considered; you went -- and by all appearances, with no regrets.

Clearly, looking back at moving FORWARD, posing the question of 'who denied requests of more security and why' seems irrelevant, if not totally absurd, to even ask.  It was, and still is, beneath you to answer to such preposterous revelations of any breach of duty whether aimed at you, or anyone within your administration, right?

Who gave the order to 'stand down' right smack in the middle of it?  Not Panetta.  Not Petraeus.

Fast forward to after the fact --  after making an impromptu general statement in the Rose Garden, and after weeks of blaming a video (and about that...talk aboutsomething 'sketchy'...)   -- when we arrive at reality bearing down on a defensive president saying "the suggestion that anyone in my team...anybody on my team would play politics or mislead when we've lost four of our own, governor, is offensive.   That's not what we do.  That's not what I do as president, that's not what I do as Commander-in-Chief."   @Second Debate.

So ironic.    The title, by definition, is to lead the military! through the storm, through the battle, in peacetime and war.  When a moment to stand as the Commander-in-Chief  is before him,  and demanding his attention to order a MILITARY RESPONSE of a terrorist attack [correction, the "act of terror" running in live feed right before his eyes]   he chooses to retreat and then LIE his way out of it.

And Sandy -- now that's a thing calling for his undivided attention.  Matter of fact, he needs to stop campaigning 'full-stop' (that's nav-speak, Mr. President... oh, of course you know...being it's an everyday term used on the bridge of the place where planes land...).   The situation room is calling; he needs to go back to Washington to tell us something we already know:  just stay home, listen to the Emergency Preparedness projections of this storm and prepare; don't do anything foolish. 

Not that a storm can lean right or left -- it actually goes in circles...and how funny is that, but how quickly we digress. It does beg another question:  Which will turn out greater than the other -- the Big Benghazi Lie or the anticipated epic storm bearing down upon our East Coast as we speak?   

It doesn't matter though, does it?  In this moment, we share in the immediate concern for 50 million Americans sitting in harm's way.  So in that spirit, we will keep things rather tame here in Gland.  It's just not a good day to play politics, now is it, Mr. President?  And surely, it would be offensive for anyone to think otherwise.   All politics aside, it's just a good day to be all for one and one for all, for that's what we do.

and all we can do now is pray, and pray hard. 

Make it a Good Day, G

It is Morning in America Thing

Dear America,

happy nine twelve day.  of course, there would be no significance of a 'nine/twelve' without first having a 'nine/eleven.'  [you can go to my 'GGB' page or go directly to the link on 'nine/twelve' for more information]

in hindsight of the day just yesterday, marking the tenth anniversary of an act of war against America, I believe we did a pretty good job remembering, honoring, and somberly stopping in recognition of the memories of those we lost and turning ourselves over to another realm of connectedness with each other as Americans.

for me, my solemn Sunday began unexpectedly days earlier, strangely on last Thursday, the day when the lights went out in all of southern California.  And just to veer off the beaten path I'm on this morning a wee bit, in all honesty, it began at the moment I sat down with a bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream.

I was sweetening up the minutes leading up to the presidential joint session address mid afternoon, pacific daylight time, when at about 3:39 everything went poof!

and I'm thinking, well, it's been hot...it's probably one of those rolling blackouts...everything should come back in a matter of ten, fifteen minutes -- and let's hope, right.  I mean, we are at twenty-one minutes and counting away from a big moment here. I've been waiting for this speech all week; not to mention the opening game for the NFL.  Are you kidding me...of all days...

glancing upon my cell phone for the time of day...it is already 3:47.
panic is beginning to set in.

okay, stay calm and know this too shall change.
the ice cream is long gone now, and it didn't go down quite as yummy as usual.  I had this pit in my stomach thinking what if...what if... what if the power is out through the entire speech, well into the game, if not into the night?  What if?

meanwhile, I am watching the cars down below on the street take turns like school children at the light.  and I'm thinking, wow,  it looks like the entire neighborhood is down.

it's now 3:52.
jiminy crickets, it is now T minus eight minutes and seemingly going at warp speed already...crossing my fingers I am still hoping that in a matter of seconds there will be a picture on my TV showing the pre-speech buzz inside the Capital Building, with everybody shaking hands and getting excited in great expectations of the president's jobs plan.  any minute now, any minute.

3:57 girl not happy
3:58 girl flippin' dizzy
3:59 girl down
Blast off.  nothing, nada, zippo.  and I am beside myself in utter breakdown mode.

and I'm not even thinking about real life concerns yet --
 --  that my pantry is hardly built up for emergencies, that I have not a flashlight to my name (let alone the batteries for it), that I can't even get into my car and drive away -- even if I wanted -- due to the handy dandy electric garage door, that I have maybe two bars of power to my only link to the rest of the world (my cell), that I haven't even done laundry this week, the milk might spoil, let alone wondering if the water out of the faucet is safe to drink (which in many parts of San Diego, it wasn't, for three full days boiling water was required!)

but noooooooo, I wasn't thinking about any of it (yet);

I'm thinking, it's happy hour somewhere and poured myself a glass of wine and opened my latest read, Traveling Light, by Max Lucado -- which, if you are familiar with the book, it makes this moment all that more surreal...I mean, talk about having little control of circumstances that come our way, our ability to bounce back, and aligning with God in leading the way through the valleys...

At this point, realizing I am on chapter 13 which is simply titled "Silent Nights and Solitary Days," I'm beginning to look around for the camera.  is this for real?  seriously?  oh yes You are funny....now can I get my lights back on?

@ about 4:20 time my girl finally gives me a text message back -- she is in Carmel Valley, about ten minutes down the road -- her lights are out there as well.  And since her computer still has a battery functioning (unlike mine), she tells me all about it:  apparently, we are having a real emergency on our hands -- all of San Diego, parts of Orange County and Los Angeles, parts of Arizona and Mexico, have been brought down to our knees.  AND here's the kicker, nobody really knows when the power will come back on.  They don't even know what caused it yet; how in the world could they have any idea of how long it will take to fix it.


huh.
wow.
who'd a thunk.

maybe I should start looking around for some candles...

my little booboo is watching me run around like a chicken with my head cut off...

and I am totally forgetting all about the president, who I've been told was in that moment doing a "pass this job's bill" moving mountains montage and looking awfully annoyed with his congressional lot.

It is T-minus God only knows now... on a number of fronts...but I digress.

It is now 5:05.  I am about to check in on the neighbors downstairs, a couple who happen to be getting up in their years and only here for a summer rental,  when the phone rings; it's papa, aka boy-scout-in-chief, checking in on me! 

And to my surprise, the east coast has more information on this than I have.  Topping off my wine as we share our hyper-function hello's, pops goes right into Emergency Preparedness mode --  scratch that -- since his findings come to the immediate conclusion that his girl is a far cry from anywhere near prepared, he quickly realizes he's got little to work with.  And I'm thinking to myself... being that he is three thousand miles away... this probably isn't going over very well...oopsy daisy.

As papa was doing his best with what he had to work with, I did my best to respond in earnest; I dug down deep to rediscover my inner girl scout and whipped myself into 'just think G'.  stop - drop - roll , no.  duck and cover and hold on, no.  But I did all that I could off the list of things to do 'per pops' before dark.  Needless to say, the striking delinquency of my lack of preparedness thereof said it all.

So let me ask you, are you all that prepared?

Now would be a good day to make a plan, make a kit fit for a bombshelter, gather important documents together, buy a frick'n flashlight for pete's sake, and the like.  This would be a good day to do that.

'Nine/twelve' would be a real good day from here on out to use as annual check up day, to check in and check out, with each other -- our family, friends, and community -- to prepare and pave the way for the unexpected emergency.


In the same realm of 'when it rains, it pours', this last week also found me dealing with an ongoing poisoning issue with my pooch, Boo.  So between the lights going out and the dog beginning his hardest hit three days, my valley seemed awfully dark.

But oh how quickly things can be put into perspective, no?

While some of the most stirring moments on the day yesterday, in honor of 9/11, came via thirty second and then some commercials...

How about that Spike Lee directed State Farm ad?  Every time it came on, in-between ball turnovers and first downs, it made me cry and smile all at the same time; between one of my favorite songs by Alicia Keys, to the school children, to the members of the New York City Fire Department, what a way to connect us through the heart strings, State Farm.  well done. and to Spike -- thank you. 

Of course, there was also the Verizon ad, with the children playing at the foot of the Statue of Liberty (beautiful); and then there was the Budweiser Clydesdale's bowing to the statue, at an angle overlooking the entire city of NYC [that is, as in taking a bow, not to be confused with a bow, as in 'bow and spear' from Psalm 46...did you all hear about this gaffe?  and to think we all think he is so smart, pul-leeze. read this.]

but oh how quickly things can be put into perspective, no?

just this morning, first news upon sun up in San Diego included these remarks from President Obama --

"No games, no politics, no delays...

We can't afford these same political games, not now."

The AP article also noting that the president was "[S]urrounded by police officers, firefighters, teachers, construction workers and others he said would be helped by the $447 billion package, the president said the only thing that would block its passage would be lawmakers deciding it wasn't good politics to work with him."  for more, go here.

calling for no games and politics using games and politics. never discount a good backdrop, right.  only in America.  clearly, Sunday is but a memory already; nine/twelve stands alone with only a matter of hours of light left to the day.

today, I find myself grateful for the sun coming up and the lights turning on.

It's a new day -- some might even call it Morning in America.

And considering the moment here, highlighting preparedness large and oh so small, there are a few things I need to do today, perhaps starting with getting myself a freak'n clue and a flashlight or two...

Make it a Good Day, G

and isn't it worth noting, in a marvelous twist of irony, after all the hullabaloo over inviting "the clergy" to the official 9/11 memorial that our president just goes ahead and quotes scripture (yes, in spite of the gaffe).  He invoked God anyway.  Way to go Mr. President.  Way to go.  

It's a Little Boys & Big Girls Thing

Dear America,

"Socialism 

is a philosophy of failure, 

the creed of ignorance, 

and the gospel of envy, 

its inherent virtue 

is the equal sharing of misery."  

Winston Churchill

rough week when it comes to men and politics; a one liner that could very well continue to stand on its own, even if you dropped the last two words, if you ask me.

so now you must be wondering, what does Churchill have to do with it?  well in the matter of men and politics, the answer is everything and nothing at the same time.  This morning, this quote seems to say it all:  one good man declaring the utter idiocy of an ideology without one mean-spirited untruth about it.  It's simple eloquence is beyond words.

now, considering I started this "G thing" out of frustration with both subjects [men and politics] just shy of two years ago -- venturing to keep an American girl diary on the day -- I can only imagine what it will feel like twenty years from now, after studying man and politics, smart phones and dumb things, years down the road.  kinda like an Ann Coulter.

I mean, my God, she has been at this for literally decades -- basically, what might very well be all her life if we were to round things up.  How does she do it and keep herself sane?  [yes, so in my humble opinion, G totally believes she is...and how!]  And more that, that girl is one smart cookie.

Ans it goes without saying, that this girl would love to catch her debate any liberal -- just bring it.  Alan Colmes would be chopped up into a hundred pieces as soon as he opens his mouth, that's all I'm saying.  Even James Carville: gone in sixty seconds.  Whatever you could throw at her would be deflected by her armor and sharp wit before three words are out of your mouth; for she has studied 'the other side' as if being her prey -- she knows what you will bring, knowing every deep dark facet of your mindset, and is aptly, fully, methodically leading you into a trap every time.

Granted, she is hard, fierce, stealth on most days; and if we lay it all out there, she has developed one tough heavy duty shell around her, maybe in spite of the deadly, toxic environment in which she lives [and in a snap, it would appear G is returning to Darwinian day of yesterday].   And why?  Because she has had to.

Any conservative writer, commentator, pundit, journalist...friends, neighbors and countrymen...have had to adapt to the conditions on the ground.  And right quick if they want to survive.  While this phenomenon -- visceral attacks on an entire set who just so happen to think differently than the way the left brain thinks -- is set to get worse before it gets better.  To be sure -- and going the way of unemployment numbers, jobs reports and economic growth -- it is, regrettably, very much expected.

But, of course, in the weird way we think in G land, Coulter is so out of my league -- so distinguished in the area of study, of men and politics, of left and right, of good and evil -- I can see how  she can be intimidating to even the most learned leftist thinker.  Coulter is like a tall and skinny brain with a blonde bombshell attached.  What [liberal] man can really hold his own against all that?  [same with you Sydney kitties...you got nothin' on this one]

And really, digging deeper, and at the same time being totally superficial -- just look at her hair!   Every hair is long, straight, blonde,  with not one out of place; every strand stands at attention ready for their next orders.  Who can do that day after day after day?  Humidity, fuggetaboutit.  Fly-aways, not on your life.  Even Coulters hair knows exactly how to respond, no matter the conditions on the ground.  Unheard of....
 
now for me.  G.  my hair never looks the same way twice, let alone 365 days a year, year in and year out.  my locks, are like my blog, you never know whatcha gonna get...even I don't know until I get to the end...for it's like it's got a mind of it's own.  and this may be more information than you care to know, but in my view, regarding my hair, my philosophy seems to fall along the lines 'the messier the better.'  and we're back to how I blog.  that is soooo weird........

wow G, nothing like letting it all hang out this happy friday morn, is there?

Now something she said in an interview relating to Anthony Weiner, the twitter twit, delivered an ah-ha moment in an instant.  She basically said, something to the effect of ...these guys, these politicians behaving badly, are like a warped return of a personal nature.   It dates back to some kind of juvenile injustice of the hormonal kind; that these guys probably couldn't get dates in high school, and now that they have reached gluttonous levels of power and prestige and bank accounts, they feel almost sanctioned, endowed by every right under the privileges of civil servant, to act out.  The little boy who never rated with the girls then, is finally having his day.

One look at Weiner and she might have a point.

She also pointed out something else unexpected:  the infidelity rate for men is at about 15% [just to be fair and balanced, ten for women].   This may sound absurd, but I would have thought far worse.

But let's reintroduce Churchill to the discussion:  Socialism loves chaos -- the civil unrest, lack of jobs, loss of scruples, debauchery and lawlessness of all kinds.  It feeds off of the unrest like a "philosophy of failure,

the creed of ignorance, 

and the gospel of envy, 

its inherent virtue
is the equal sharing of misery".

The thing is, it is a good day for America if these infidelity numbers ring true.  This means we are returning - or quite possibly never left --  an era when integrity and honor actually means something.  Being loyal to the love we have for another, becomes something we fight for, live for, yearn for. Like most everything, the eighty-twenty rule seems to rule the day.  There will always be some people willing to stick their reputation and honor on the line for a cheap thrill, a fast high, a quick twit with someone they don't even know.  There will always be that, because human nature is not infallible.  We fail sometimes.

The good news is that most of us really don't.   Most of us want a shared life of happiness ever after; most of us want to do the right thing for our baby; most of us want to expect the other person to treat us with loving care and do the same in return.  This is what we want, as a majority.

These may be universal values when it is all said and done -- but the reality is, like it or not, every bit of it comes with a conservative underpinning.

More Americans believe in the right to life, than those who do not.

More Americans believe in less government, than those who do not.

More Americans believe in the free market, than those who do not.

More Americans believe in God, a Creator, than those who do not.

More Americans believe in traditional marriage, than those who do not.

More Americans believe and respect our Constitution, than those who do not.

More Americans believe you teach a man to fish and all else shall be added unto you, than those who don't.

This president was raised deeply rooted in the teachings of social justice -- having been raised by a mother and grandparents who believed in Socialism, following the dreams from my father anchored in Marxism, and being a staunch believer in community organizers far and wide -- the unions, the alinsky armies, groups with intent to bring about civil unrest, creating social divides and conflicts when there should be none.

In a way, our president was raised with the deep understanding of man and politics, especially of the social justice kind, through and through.

then there is this:

"It is a happy circumstance

in human affairs

that evils which are not cured in one way 

will cure themselves in some other."

--Thomas Jefferson

Which brings me nearly full circle.

You know what I would like to see; I would like to see Obama up against the Coul-train of thought.  They are like exact opposites in most every way, are they not? [talking just politics here, not talkin' race or hair color at all.. even though for kicks and giggles we could go down that track too...he is black and she is white; his hair, very short and going grey by the minute; hers, long and highlighted, probably every six to eight weeks. now see,  that wasn't so bad now was it? ...ah so quickly we can digress, no?]

Obama believes that government is what saves the stupid people who know no better....the "philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."  even if he never says it out loud, this is what he believes.  so much so, he is fundamentally transforming America on these very ideas as we speak.

Coulter, not so much.  She believes in the philosophy of prosperity, the creed of knowledge, goodness and charity, and the gospel of God's grace, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of opportunity, with no guarantee of happiness, come today or tomorrow.

Continuing on now, as if I know her as much as I hate her perfect hair --  she believes that good and evil lives in each new day, and it is how we respond to it, with it, and around it, that creates a country worth saving no matter what other people say.  She walks her talk and is willing to debate anyone, anywhere, anytime, about it.  and to anyone who gives it a go, good luck with that.  Anthony Weiner would be fun to watch; but now, then again, like high school, she wouldn't give him the time of day.

as we started out the day, men and politics are an interesting breed, indeed; having already admitted, just men, in general, is enough said.  [don't hate, I love you guys -- matter of fact, a couple of you are worth having my heart xoxo]  But in all honesty, it may take a lifetime for a girl to fully understand them; AND, fair is fair -- it comes with an equal portion and obligation of boy understanding girl.  That is what makes life so fabulous and worth living, if I don't say so myself.  Some days, you just never know what you're gonna get.

and with that the day is done.

Make it a Good Day, G

how about this guy...

Dear America,

G was a no-show yesterday...
would you believe there was nothing to talk about?  (say it like Maxwell Smart...and puleeze don't tell me you don't know who that is)

we loved Get Smart growing up in our house; agent 99 was smart and beautiful...between her, Mary Tyler Moore and Rhoda, all of them modeled a behavior worthy of mimicking one day when all grown up.

Yesterday, was International Women's Day; some of you may have already heard how Cairo celebrated...attacking women.  Wow, just how is that budding democracy working out for you?

Given it was the first time I ever heard of this day of celebration, I had to look into it a wee bit; low and behold, it's roots are nestled into the propaganda created out of the minds of socialists and communists, in a workers of the world unite -- for women -- kind of thing.  Isn't that fascinating? It started back in the USSR...early nineteen hundreds...

From Hillary, some time yesterday:

“They've risked their lives; they've served in prison; they've been harassed and oppressed; sometimes their own children's lives have been at risk.  They have been insulted, beaten and tortured.  And yet each of these women has found the strength to persevere in the face of fear, isolation or repression.  And they've done so not just one day or one year, but day after day and year after year."

 adding in this,  “We intend, working with Goldman Sachs, to make sure that these scholarships help women receive world-class business and management training”  (ah, so Goldman Sachs is our friend now).

Please read more, by hitting this link, to read about the women being celebrated this year (couldn't help but notice not an agent 99, or an American in the bunch...hmmmm...guess we aren't that daring or remarkable...you would think Lara Logan might have been able to slip in there at the last minute...as it would seem, just the reporting of the breaking news, and the waves of democracy around the world, raging in places like Tehrir Square, can be just as risky)

I haven't heard too much, coming out of Washington, concerned about the injustices to women just yesterday, or even a mention of the escalation of clashes between the Christians and the overwhelming majority, Muslims, also going on in Cairo over the last two days...democracy?  anyone?  The violence was set off following the Christians marching in protest after a church was burned to the ground...no, hold up...that was after the Muslims reacted to "a love affair" between a Christian and a Muslim; thirteen people have died so far...and hundreds injured.

and we think Egypt is ready to make nice?  ready for democracy (whatever that is)?

In light of recent events, it got me thinking as to where politics just doesn't belong: Here's what I have so far:

• SCHOOLS: case in point, Wisconsin, and protests everywhere, and the visibly apparent lack of enthusiasm by teachers and administrators to truly embrace real reforms (i.e. we should be celebrating the idea of school choice and vouchers, get excited about the idea of pay based on merit, and recognize the beauty of all thought, even the thought that seems different than one's own; the immediate curtailing of union influence controlling the taxpayer dollar must happen -- for this is adversely affecting productivity and change for the public good, while adding an element of separation and divide, through improper use of funds supporting only the liberal ideology and a left wing education, a.k.a. indoctrination.)  THIS should NOT be political.
• OIL/energy CRISIS:  case in point, Libya; what happens in Libya should stay in Libya, and other than voicing our immediate humanitarian concern, pleading to Gaddafi to take care of his own, at the very least, this should not be our problem.  It is a total gamble either way America chooses to proceed here; let the EU take the brunt of the responsibility, we are over committed elsewhere, and the only thing we should be doing is making a proclamation to resume ALL DRILLING, using our Nuclear Energy facilities at their highest capacities, getting to our natural gas, clean coal, and of course, adding in the solar, wind, and hydro-electric everything under the sun; we must celebrate every resource we have and flaunt it, make it, find it, revel in it, and maybe even roll in it, if it seems appropriate (just thinking of the ample sunshine). THIS should NOT be political.
• Defending America against Radical Islamic Terrorism (even within AMERICA!); go PeterKing go!  you are doing the right thing for the right reasons, and please know, in spite of what you see going on in and around the mall, you have a majority of America's sincere gratitude; this action is not Islama-phobia of any kind; it is purely for the protection of our assets, and our children (considering many of the adults around here are in total denial). Ask yourself, why is it that our federal government (really just the White House) is keeping out of the conversation, established Muslim-American groups that really have our best interests at heart?  The one's who love America and respect America and celebrate America for all that she is MUST be at the table... are you kidding me?I have been following Jasser for awhile now ...read more here.  THIS should NOT be political.
• and NASA: just throwing this one in, in celebration of the last shuttle launch, of Discovery, and her safe return today. Yay Space!  so thank you NASA for bringing our men and women home safe and sound this morning. The final frontier...THIS should NOT be political.
• Public television and radio: either you stay neutral, and live up to the industry's standards celebrating both sides of an issue, fair and balanced -- or, you don't get any federal funds.  THAT'S it; of course, since you have made your decision a long time ago, going the left wing intellectual snobbery route, then more power to you on your own; I'm sure you will have no trouble getting advertisers and donations from Michael Moore, Bill Gates, and George Soros, and on and on and on.  IF you wish to remain in the domain of the public good, THIS should NOT be political (sorry to see you go, buh bye).

 That's it for today; my top five 'this should not be political' list on the day; wait a minute...hold on...

One more -- WOMEN!


 Now for AMERICA, and America only, I believe I am sick and tired of "women" being labeled...including, having a day distinguished as a "day of celebration and remembrance" at all; for me, this idea is soooooo left brain.  Why can't we just model good behavior, be of strong will, carry with us ambitious goals, exude confidence beyond measure, and grow up just doing what we were meant to do, without constantly thinking we deserve more attention for it -- or think there should be a prize for it in the end?  BUT above all, how in the world do "WOMEN" continually get lumped in under the categories falling under the left column -- how can something so wide and wonderful be categorized at all really...cuz I know! we aren't all the same.

But somehow, somewhere between entitlement funding and women's liberation, the left has taken over as chief marketer and manufacturer of what women really really want, and need, and believe, and even achieve -- and how (not necessarily in that order).  It's as if the left has commandeered the conversation, and for any woman to go outside those lines...that's like a foul against all women; of all things, the party long thought to be the one which stands for inclusiveness and the taking down of barriers, I shudder at the thought of how some women speak against other women  who simply stand for another ideology, another school of thought, another way of looking at something. (and given this one is currently in the news, G will never think like a Vivian Schiller, who, just yesterday, is stepping down as CEO of  NPR...see also Ron Schiller, unrelated...and the atrocities that came out of his mouth.)

But the left would like us believe women are all the same, and sometimes even victims, needing extra help or something -- when in real life, we are the MAJORITY of the American population, and raging! @ 157 Million (men @153 m) -- we are 55% of college graduates -- we are 66% of voters -- we are now 39% of workforce in management/professional positions (with 33%,  male) -- 5 million women are actually stay-at-home moms, compared to only 154,000 fathers (and if you think stay at home moms sit around eating bon-bons all day, you are sadly mistaken..take for example all the bloggers @ asamom.org...we're talking moms working from home, home schoolers, activists, you name it and the sky's the limit)

Now certainly, areas around the world need a little help; and America, can always find ways to improve; but the politics of women -- stay out of it!  Women, generally speaking, cannot be trivialized, generalized, or even canonized JUST because we have a couple of things hanging out on top; we don't belong to one side or the other; we cannot be taken over, with someone speaking for us or against us, as if one rule of thought dominates over another; we can't be laid out on a sheet pan, expected to bake at the same temperature, for the same length of time, and expected to turn out all the same -- the variables are simply too great; and isn't that the beauty of it! It is so great being a girl!

All the more reason pointing to this country's first truths -- self-reliance doesn't bow to gender (or a color for that matter), it works for everybody, equally and fairly.

As we see "democracy" unfold in Cairo -- let us pray for the women and children, and the men hell bent on misbehaving; let us pray for the Christians and the Muslims, to find a way to live together in peace; and let us thank our lucky stars, here in America, at least for now --

May we can consider ourselves privileged citizens, living in a nation in pursuit of our own happiness-es, respectful of the opposition in every way -- and may we grow to learn how to come to the table and talk about things, like grown ups, when we need to...without immediately lumping ourselves into a column either way; for the politics of some things just have no business whatsoever...schools, drilling, national defense of radical Islamic terrorists, NASA, NPR/PBS...little women...

Are we moving forward, or slipping backwards, just because we are so hung up on the politics of 'IT', whatever IT may be;  remember, way back when, in 2008, we all thought we were bringing in a guy who we had every faith would be different; with a true democracy working in over drive, he was supposed to be the guy promising a new America, and to help us all blend --  the moderator, the orator, the peacekeeper, the unite'r...nope, just a man, as always (no offense... it would work the same for a woman in power).


Make it a Good Day, G

Dear America,

Goooooooooood Morning, Amerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrica!

There is something in the air, can't quite figure out what it is quite yet, but I feel a change is coming...no,  I know what it is.

For those of you who know me, fall is my favorite time of year -- and that, I smell, is right around the corner, right next to the Starbucks and five and dime.

But first off, I had to sit out a day for reasons being, one, my girl was in need of her mama, and for two, I was lingering over a happy moment from the day before...a moment when someone more left meets someone more right comfortably somewhere in the middle of understanding and mutual respect.

In the words of my new best friend, Jennifer, speaking much like someone -- and as one who does not identify herself as a conservative -- coming to meet me for coffee or a glass of wine:

"lets me understand what I think must be true of most folks who on the surface seem to have different politics.  We all want life to be better and more coherent -- I think we just interpret history differently, and have a different sense of what power is." 

I get such a thrill when east meets west, when north meets south, when left meets right, when just simple thoughts connect us at a level we can effortlessly recognize and understand -- at the heart.

I have no idea how left she leans, or how front and center she might sit, but it doesn't really matter in this moment, for the connection was made and is real...and it feels good.

That's all I'm saying.

It feels good...and thank you, Jennifer, for showing me how possible the impossible can come about.

And isn't that what America is all about, really...the melting into one nation, indivisible, with justice and the pursuit of happiness for all.

We came together, as a nation, from birth, with guarantees to no one -- and only getting a whiff of the possibility of what the pursuit of happiness might bring, as evident in those who came before us;  the making, the inventing, the creating,  the engineering, the showing up somewhere for an honest days work was in the air all over America, but the breathing it in, the embodiment was all up to us; taking that whiff all the way to market was entirely up to the individual, and by design -- and should still remain.

The wanting to learn, had to come from deep inside us.

The ambition to make something of ourselves, in spite of whatever wrongs came down our path, had to come from a deeper place, one that very possibly may be hidden and hard to find.

The talent, the skill, the action to fulfill our every dream and put bread on the table, could only be unhinged and let loose with our own two hands, our own two feet, our own determination to make it here, there, or anywhere.

What the article of radical homemakers stirred up for me, was the resurfacing of this inner strength and conviction to change our circumstances, to repair what is broke, to rebuild what's in shambles, to reignite what is inside us.  We are at will to change both our homestead and the community in which we live -- and need nothing more than the inherent power within us all, equally and fairly, to do it.

We don't need affirmative action to get there.

We don't need the government's help to get there.

We don't need anything but what is already inside us.

I have actually been going through a really rough time -- this year has seen more change, more upside down circumstances, more mishaps and wrong turns, than one girl should ever have to endure. While in this moment -- with fall in the air and an appreciative word from my new best friend -- the hardship can be easily hidden from view to the outside.  G can tap away as if not a care in the world.

Little do you all know that right here and now, I sit seemingly content most days only because my little tush hit first.

Oh, but for those who do know, I get affirmations daily from angels unaware and distant family who feel me without even saying a word.

If you will indulge me for a second, let me share the latest ha-ha moment -- via my mama from east coast to west.  She is famous for clipping out things she would love to buy for you, but sending the picture instead; and I know right there, it sounds like a dig, but it isn't!  It is pure love expressing -- as it is clearly in touch with a feeling, an emotion, and from across the miles it is instant connection, like no more dial up -- just high speed, in the vein, fireball of love...can you feel me now, kind of thing.

Anywho, she sent a worn corner of a catalog showing a paperweight.  On this "made in Rhode Island of lead-free solid pewter" said the words from Winston Churchill,

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

Nahhhhh, I thought I'd stay awhile...

That's what I am talkin' about.

This is the American spirit at work, through the mind of a brilliant Brit, at it's very best. (I love Churchill, remember now, it was Kennedy who made him an honorary citizen one day in the Rose Garden...gotta show some love for that, too...you see what the changing of a season into fall does for me...oh, you get me now...)

For $35.00, you too can have this little reminder, and support the craftsmen of Rhode Island, by going to www.uncommongoods.com/ or calling 888- 365 - 0056...and no, I know what you're thinking now, G is not being paid for the plug, so have at it.

The thing is, today, I feel like America is in a state of some sort of purgatory; it's like we can't decide which way we are going to go.  Do we stick with what has worked for 234 years, that which has been at times rocky for sure, but at best, steadfast and pure of heart and good intentions for so long; or do we allow for the diversity and uncommon politics to get the best of us, not meeting somewhere in the middle, not bridging the east with west, not bringing the south north, and not taking the opportunity of finding that place found hidden in the soul, at the heart of a nation, and as leader to the free world?

And not only are we in the midst of this confused state, we are paralyzed in the motion of pointing fingers everywhere but to our very own root cause; for it is easier to look to the problem outside of ourselves, somebody Else's fault, fate, circumstance, bad timing, poor judgement, wrong turns, the previous administration, improper business practices, lying, cheating, corruption and overall fatigue, blaming it all on anyone else, but our self.  (and of course, while there, in the muck on the bottom -- no really the bottom, bottom-bottom, can't get any worse or lower or out of this world bad --  in Sarah Bernhardt style -- take on the victim mentality, whine and cry and the whole shebang...waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah....woe is me.)

Nope.

We don't stand for that in America.

Adversity is a test of time and tolerance and tenacity and transition; our ability to transcend emotionally, mentally, spirtually and ultimately physically, is everything -- and thereby builds a life.

Another guardian angel and kindred spirit of mine, reminded me recently of this, let's just call him "Fred":

"There is a philosophy that says the universe keeps giving us opportunities / lessons that we need to work through / come to terms with and accept before we can move on to something new."

I guess it is just that for some of us, and I'm not pointing fingers here, just haven't re-founded that same level of -- understanding, if you will?

(and not for people like Jen, can I call you Jen? my new best friend -- and for God knows, not me either, even when all I really want to do is sit and wallow in it here and now, along with a box of bonbons and Kleenex, notwithstanding looking straight out my window to the gorgeous August afternoon)

We may not all agree on the surface, but deep down, we know each other and want what's best for each other, and want a life better for our children than we wish for ourselves, and maybe even have a chance to bake our own bread occasionally and go to the farmer's market while we do it, all in the peace and quiet of a nation melting into one body, with the welcoming spirit of fall keeping the company of strangers, angels, and new friends -- for this is the United States of America, and a good morning it is.

We are never too far apart as one nation under God, call It whatever you will (even Allah, works, when we come in peace and mutual respect); we are not that far apart, indeed.

What we have here, is a breakdown in communication; we have lost something in translation; we have mass confusion and frustration going on as we all hit rock bottom not on our bums, unfortunate enough, but upon our noggins; some of us will bounce back all on our own, others will stay for awhile mistaking the circumstance as final fate; but everyone, from left to right, will look to the leaders of this nation and seek clarity, concern, compassion, conservative and wise spending, complete honesty, continuity in the principles and values that have been tested through all time and society's large and small -- and perhaps, if it is comes up in conversation, a whole lot less of pointing fingers.

But in a nutshell falling from our family tree, a government built upon self-reliance was the key to our success, the meat with our potatoes, the duality of outcomes equal to all people, in principle and with every day proper use.

Albeit that somebody else decided for me, but President Obama is my president, too; a sense of understanding of this great duty is all I ask of him and of anyone farther left who wish to further rub the raspberry on my buttocks.

All we really need is the return to the Golden Rule, and just maybe, we have half a chance to grow that garden of Eden we always wished we had, or just maybe, we could spin the air and move mountains and somehow create the heaven on earth for all people of all politics, and just maybe, a couple of girls, who on the surface appear to be going in entirely two different directions, can find themselves sipping out of the same fountain. 

A girl can dream, can't she?

Make it a Good Day (because nobody else will), G

we all have a gift to share; we all have a casserole to bring to the table; we all have the ability to come together, and not be torn apart through bad politics...catch the video on Dear America, please.  be inspired to be part of the solution (and there are many)....the choice is ours, individually, and collectively everything will correct itself...

Little Jackie is an angel, divinity in action, and an American Girl  for us all.