crunch-time, the importance of artists and other thoughts

greetings! mooklettes reminds you that the time to register to vote is drawing to a close.i don't want to hear about how you are trying to avoid jury duty, either. it is crucial that you exercise your constitutionally protected right to vote- it does matter!



i have been reflecting on the importance of artists in our country over the past couple of weeks during my morning run. i find it funny that people think artists shouldn't have an opinion on things that deal with national policy and how support from an artistic community can lead one to being labelled a"celebrity". i don't necessarily think artists should hold more sway than others, but part of the reason that people come into a national consciousness is because they can effectively communicate their thoughts in a way that grabs people's attention. if that was an everyday talent, then we would all have crowds of thousands following us, wouldn't we?



it is with this in mind that I am going to try and connect some dots...as we stand at the edge of what i hope will be a turning point in american history, many artists have stepped up to talk about american values: equality, truth, living fearlessly, questioning the government when necessary, and standing as a beacon of freedom for all people,here and abroad. these are just some of the qualities that seperate america from other countries. the u.s. is really the only place in the world where you can go from having nothing, to expressing yourself on a national stage. that being said, please take a few moments to view the three following videos, even if you have seen them before, because as a set, they show what is important in the country and it is shown through the eyes of artists who have stood up, fearlessly, to express themselves and to give a voice to those who are not heard. it is important when artists are courageous, they mirror the society they are part of (not seperate from) and through their gifts and talents that they so generously share- they honor you and me.

god bless all artists, particularly, on this day, bruce springsteen and tom smothers and will.i.am....
(it should be noted that an important part is left off Tom's speech- he sacrificed his opportunity for a writing emmy in 1968 because he felt his controversial views regarding the nixon adminsitration and the vietnam war would hurt the success of his team, including a little known comedian named steve martin- tom, i gotta' say you are someone i admire greatly, and you sure were smart to marry such a classy, intelligent, good-lookin' gal. in our current political climate where people are being hoodwinked by sarah palin and her "folksiness", marcy is my ideal of a role model for my girls!)

section 8...

no not the thing klinger in MASH begged for and no not the housing for poor people...

section 8 is slipped into the bailout as proposed by the Bush adminsitration- not just Paulson, whether the president is brave enough to show his face or not, he is partly to blame for this situation...

once again, we find bush trying to play king and make a grab for unchecked power...this is what section 8 says:

Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are
non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed
by
any court of law or any administrative agency.

This is what the president of the united states and his cabinet think of the american people. we are only here to enrich him, personally. when we ask for accountability he behaves as though we are stupid or disrespectful. in fact, it is this man who has blatantly disregarded the very foundations of this county, and he has been allowed to by the citizens of this country, because every time we start to catch on HE MAKES US AFRAID. being governed by fear, in your personal or political life, is no freedom.

i've said it before, and i will again- these are serious times and this country needs serious thoughtful people. keep your eye on chris dodd, whom i would have gladly supported for president, he is the lone voice talking about how important it is to proceed carefully and get this financial package right.

the time has come for each of us to decide that we are done being lied to, we are done being made afraid and we are ready to listen like adults to what thoughtful, reasonable people have to say.

please, please,please call or email your senator and representatives and ask them to make sure those 32 incendiary words are removed before any agreement is reached.

back on track

kath is right when she says, "no fall races!" it is too hard to train when it is already 100 degrees at 5am. however, now it is better in the mornings and with my little runny buddy, lily, i have been able to get back out there before race day! thank goodness, because otherwise it was going to be a disaster. the jury is still out on whether the foot is broken- too lazy to go to the dr., but it seems to be holding up pretty well...

...

(thanks to avery for the tip on the new background...mooklettes has never looked spiffier!)

just one of those nights when you arrive home to all your dinner ingredients defrosted, everyone home, cold adult beverage in the fridge...and then all heck breaks loose...and you wonder why you bother???

at the table you are greeted by a surly crew, a couple with red-rimmed eyes, everyone is head down, inhales their food and bolts from the table, but not before declaring it is NOT their turn to help clean up. followed up by anti-homework clamoring and repeated calls for a particular wiggles dvd i can't stand...ahhhh, sweet life!

YES WE CAN!

...hah! fooled you...not about obama...

c. is potty trained!!! hip,hip hooray!

know hope!!!!!!

the tide is turning

mccain is being exposed as the dishonorable person he has,sadly, become...

remembering...

keith olbermann had an important "special comment" last night. these are serious times that call for a serious leader.

today i will spend "patriot day" remembering all those lives lost on 9/11 and those lost in the war.
peace-

a word or two about mccain-palin

seriously? am i supposed to be impressed by a woman who brings so little to the table, and what she does bring is just so very troubling? was i supposed to be wowed by the white faces of the rnc behaving like "ugly americans" and attempting to drum up fear?


i watched the whole convention; i like to hear both sides of the equation and to be well-informed. i am definitely not what you would call a "low information voter".


first, we vote for the top of the ticket. mccain's choice of palin only serves to elucidate how the man makes decisions. what he reveals is that he is rash and reckless and will do anything to win the election, even when it is not in the best interest of this country. he has chosen someone he met only one time, who is involved in numerous scandals at home, who lies freely about her record and desires to bring her fundamentalist religious beliefs into the public square.

Next, mccain's willingness to conduct himself in a dishonorable fashion sickens me. he has been fully taken over by the extreme right wing, with karl rove leading the way.

also, it is not just a campaign slogan- mccain really does want to continue with bush's policies. on every issue, he has voted with the president and in his stated policies, there really is no light between the two men.

for me, the reckless behavior, the dishonor and policies are absolutely enough to keep me from voting for mccain and to inspire me to work for obama. however, it is not limited to the above...

mccain would like to dismantle public education in this country. for obvious reasons, this is completely offensive. he states that parents and students should be in charge of the system. unfortunately, what happens when public schools are privatized, the low performing students are pushed out. what you are left with is something we see often in CA- a two tier system: one largely white and middle class and the other minority and poor. In the poorer schools, you will see more emphasis on testing, no art, music, field trips, social studies or science. I absolutely agree that the NEA is going to need to come to the table on some issues, but until there is a real way to hold parents and students accountable, the system will remain broken.


next, the ticket refers to "victory" in Iraq. what does that look like exactly? will their gov't repay the massive debts we have racked up? will we be repaid in oil subsidies? i'd love to hear their description- which is not forthcoming.


also, mccain has little interest in improving our daily lives as is represented by his approach to the economy, social security, medicare and education.



finally, and this is the issue that is most aggravating to me, we do not live in a theocracy. God bless our founding fathers who assured us of that! religion does not belong in our politics, government or courts. i do not want mccain selecting the next supreme court justices. i won't stand idly by and allow our country's policies to be co-opted by a religious movement.



along the way people have tried to describe voters who support Barack Obama as easily influenced, naive, swayed by celebrity. this is all noise. the truth is that I, and many others I know, support him because he knows what we deal with everyday when it comes to the economy, our schools and families. further, he listens carefully. he is thoughtful and smart and does not make reckless decisions for himself or our country.this is one of the first times i am voting for somebody, rather than against somebody. so, no, I am not afraid and I will continue to send money to Obama/Biden and will look for other ways to volunteer to work for him.



if you are interested in a country that puts the people first, that restores peace, that represents the best of this country and celebrates it- then work for Obama, as well.