What's In A Name? "The Tea Party!"

Forgive the prairie expression - but I'm sure "this is ground that has already been plowed!"  And yet, the Tea Party??  Why are we still taking these people so seriously?  Why are they so powerful?  My God, they are certainly not statesmen.  They do not know what it is to be statesmen, and if they were enlightened on the subject, their first and only response would be a "no" much as a child says "no" - foot stomping and all.

Actually, the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the term "tea party" is a juvenile gathering.  I think of this as a group who plays at being grown up ---- a group, that much as children often do - will refuse to continue to play if you don't play their way.

It boarders on tragic that adults chose to dress up in tri-cornered hats or hats decorated with tea bags, and thus adorned proudly dictated terms for governing.  Equally horrific was the fact that people who knew better, (after the "dress up ceased,") elected these goofs to go off to Washington, and thus put an end to "statesmanship."

Again, my imagination will not rest whenever I hear that damnable term "Tea Party."  I not only think of guests in the nursery, but I always think of the guests at the tea party in Alice In Wonderland. You remember.  The "Unbirthday Party."  My what fine  attendees there were.  High on the list was The Mad Hatter and The March Hare.  I can't get them out of my mind.  The fact that the Tea Party is taken seriously absolutely makes one feel that we have truly fallen down the rabbit hole. It is all madness.

I'm waiting through the next few hours to see how "the fiscal cliff/ rabbit hole" is or is not resolved.  Why is any part of the negotiations being done with those who demand that we consider the dictates of the "child - like politicians" of a Tea Party?   As for the cliff - "No time to say, hello, goodbye, we're late, we're late, we're late!"

Definition Of Gun: Obscene!

There was a newspaper article not so very long ago regarding a police officer confronting and killing a gunman.  Unfortunately, the well trained officer also hit four bystanders.  Now, let's go back to Wayne LaPierre's remedy of arming guards and teachers in schools.  Consider that a crazed gunman doesn't have to be accurate ever, at all, while the teacher or guard can never be less than accurate - EVERY SINGLE TIME!  Teachers come in all sizes and strengths - a problem that even a first grader can identify.  So, Wayne, perhaps you too can see the idiocy of the teacher part of your proposal as some teachers couldn't manage to handle high powered weapons, or really any weapons. As for your armed guard solution, well, "my personal teacher" explained the lay out of her school.  If one or even two guards could possibly cover the multiple levels and doors in a matter of seconds -"super powers I tells ya," would be needed!  NOT REASONABLE!

Now we come to the not at all small problem of "instant accuracy," and also, the hope of no hostage taking which is often brought on by confrontation.  Sooo, do go on, Wayne.  Maybe it's not your kiddos who are involved here, and so you can just depend on some long retired guard's marksmanship. I, for one, wouldn't depend on that skill for a second which is all it would take for a bystander to get hit.

Wayne, buddy, ole pal. Your ideas on gun safety might not be so great, but boy, can you sell guns!  You have managed to take what was once a benign sports association and turn it into a deadly, and highly profitable operation that pedals death and destruction to easily scared people. People who truly do not understand Amendment II of The Constitution of the USA.  You scam those people real well --- you know the ones ---- the people who tend toward bigotry and those who can easily be deceived into thinking that they need guns for every one of their fingers and toes.  But, Wayne, you've heard this all before.  Actually, it seems a point of pride to you.  I'll bet you could sell guns to Quakers. You are quite the guy.  When the market gets saturated with semi-automatics, you get out those fully automatic machine guns.  I'm sure they are so "FUN" they will sell themselves.

I don't want my daughter, the teacher, carrying a gun.  I doubt she could even lift that Carbon 15 Bushmaster thing.  Also, I've met a gracious plenty retired school guards.....NOPE, not a good idea. Wayne, think of it this way ------- "Bad Guys," or "Good Guys,"  ---- if there are no guns, everybody lives.

GUNS DO KILL PEOPLE!

And this IS  the time for the talk about gun control.  It is ALWAYS the time to talk about gun control. To say otherwise is infantile.  Good Lord, even a significant number of NRA members know there should be gun control. Only the gun lobby for the manufactures, and people who don't understand the 2nd amendment, and the mentally insecure - who see themselves as less than others, and yes, I will go there, need a gun to feel more "enhanced," these people will not tolerate a gun control discussion.

Some people today ask, "Who could fathom such a thing happening?" I could.  What is the purpose of having a gun that is not made for the sport of hunting?  Right!  To kill people!  Now that wasn't hard.  You kill people with guns.  There are no erasers on the end of guns!!!!!!!  If you get it wrong, you can't say oops!  A person who struggles with sanity should not be able to struggle with guns.  Children should not be able to accidentally  find guns laying around. Suicidal people should not have easy access to guns.  Guns that were meant for war turn out to be guns that are meant for "showing off," and finally guns that were meant to protect innocent people -----kill innocent people

"Guns don't kill people, people kill people!"  That is is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard.  People without guns cannot shoot people, and the subject today is "shooting" people -- shooting many people in rapid succession.  Guns do that.  You can't point your finger and get that done.  Just to belabor the point, it is very hard --- no damned impossible to shoot someone while in the throes of madness if you do not have a gun.

                                                                   
 Part  II

Because I am pro gun control, I have a difficult time with the likes of  Wayne LaPierre, so I dedicate the following to him.  Does he ever realize what he has created?  Can money buy empathy?  Can money calm fear?  Everybody has a story, and here is mine.  It is not news that my husband and I owned a pharmacy, and I was always in fear that I would get a call from the KCPD that my husband and /or a child had been shot in a hold up at the store.  When we finally closed the doors of that pharmacy, I was so relieved that we had beaten the odds , and had only been robbed at gun point in all those years - not shot dead.  My family, I thought, had survived the gun culture.

Now today, guess what?  I have acquired a new fear, and a very real fear at that!  My daughter, the teacher, is responsible for not only her own life, but also, the very precious lives of each and every second grader in her care.  I never foresaw this unbelievable danger.   From the pharmacy to the second grade classroom we must stand up and have that gun control discussion RIGHT NOW!

Antonin Scalia - A Bully!

Justice Scalia thinks he is funny, amusing, a wit of the highest order.  He was quite cavalier regarding his latest remark comparing laws against "equal marriage rights" to laws against "murder."  Are you laughing yet?  Well, instead of rolling about in laughter, I looked up the word bully.  My handy dandy dictionary -- Merriam-Webster tells me that a bully is a "blustering, browbeating person; especially: one habitually cruel to others who are weaker."  (In this case, I would take weaker to mean blocked from their civil rights, or the same rights our bully Scalia enjoys.)

It just does not seem possible that a man with a heart so hate filled and so homophobic in his feelings, will be able to argue the merits of the two cases on the docket in the coming session.  How can he pass judgement on that which he has already so clearly reached an opinion?

Would that Justice Scalia could - in this stage of his life - be denied a host of civil rights basic to his everyday existence.  I believe the "twinkle in his eye," would be quickly extinguished and replaced, by fear, anger, depression.....but no, not laughter.  Sadly, such people, never really know how pathetic they are.  The marriage equals murder remark was simply not funny, and the last one to know that fact is the "bully!"  

And yet, look what the bully had to say in the Supreme Court's decision to keep violent video games in the hands of California gamers based on the First Amendment...  hmmmm.... a bully AND a hypocrite!

Life's Calling - Sam Brownback

Yes, you know the drill.  We have this governor in Kansas - of course you know him  -  Sam Brownback, and he seems to be in a bit of a quandary.  You see, he lurks about in two distinct worlds.  One world attempts to govern the state of Kansas.  Things are not going well for the majority of citizens as Sam was not completely open about his goals for the state during his campaign.  He left a few things out, and so as a result, many Kansans are stunned at what is happening to the state budget's priorities.  If you can imagine the state as a car's interior, then the following list would be jammed into the back seat: schools, special needs students, veterans,  battered women's  programs,  programs for the elderly.  YOU GET THE IDEA.  ANYTHING THAT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE KOCH INDUSTRIES.  So that completes one of Sam's worlds.

Sam's other world is that of religious leader.  (You will have to overlook the irony considering the programs he chooses to cut.)   In my opinion,  it is very very wrong for a sitting governor to become an active part of a religious revival event.  (In this case, the event was a rally organized by a group named ReignDown USA.) To quote Barb Shelly of The Kansas City Star,  "Constitutional, yes, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback crossed no church-state separation lines when he endorsed and then spoke at a large religious revival event in Topeka.  Inclusive, no, Brownback's 10-minute talk at the rally was heavily evangelical affiliated with some of the most intolerant figures in the evangelical Christian community."  Nice!  You see my point?  Sam seems to want to be an Evangelical speaker or maybe even a preacher. (Please recall Rick Perry's send-off in Texas with Gov. Brownback by his side.) He certainly is well informed with a wide background of various church memberships. (You can look those up.)  He has had an interesting religious journey.  I'm certainly no judge, but he is clearly not all inclusive. Well, who among is, after holding forth at a revival meeting?  (It tends to get the juices flowing!)

If Sam Brownback is going to be making decisions that will include my family's welfare, I would prefer that he hold off on playing the Burt Lancaster role in "Elmer Gantry," and stay out of the revivalist's tent until his term is completed.

HAPPY  HOLIDAYS TO ALL !!!!!

Decency Was Lost For One Of Our Own

BOB DOLE - While I didn't agree with him politically, decency dictated that you had to give him his due for his service to our country. Right?  Well no, not if you were the Republican senators yesterday.

Let me see if I've got this right.  A group of "tea partyish Republicans" have said NO NO NO to extending disability rights worldwide.  In short, a debate of sorts took place on the Senate floor regarding a United Nations treaty, (put forth originally by a Republican  President.)  This treaty, signed by all other nations, addresses the rights of the disabled --- easy enough!  Who in "all the world" ---- literally, --- " all the world" would vote against that  treaty????  Answer, Republicans would vote against that treaty!

In particular, my state's senators walked right up to Bob Dole (R. KS.) attending this session in his wheelchair -- frail and sick.  These sterling senators from The Sunflower State said, in essence,  "Not today, Bob!  No "Profiles In Courage" from the two of us --- Pat Roberts, and Jerry Moran.  We would
rather go forward in this shameful manner that we have chosen, --- leaving this shameful legacy minus any sign of nobility, in order that we not spill a drop of tea!

I would like to know, to whom are these men answering?  Their constituents?  Surely not!  (Even Kansans cringe.)  Their church?  Oh please, what does the bible say about helping those who are disabled?  The Tea Party?  Getting warmer!  The conspiracists who believe in those  "black helicopters" and are apparently cowed by the home schooling lobby?"  Warmer still!  Decency?  Ice cold!  Legacy?  SHAMBLES!

Thank you Sen Dole for your service.  As before, I did not agree at all with your politics, but I always honored your service.  I will never forget your shaking our hands, at the Overland Park parades --- pen tactfully tucked in your wounded fist to keep us from reaching for that hand to shake.  Our family, Democrats all ------ we remember!  Sir, you would have had our vote yesterday.

In All Fairness

While reading Steve Rose's column in The Kansas City Star Opinion page today, (yes, he now writes for The Star, ) I was brought back to the subject of our Kevin Yoder.  This is huge.  According to Mr. Rose,  Mr. Yoder did not, I repeat did not sign that Grover Norquist pledge.  WOW!  Further, Mr. Yoder said he would agree to the proposed tax increases to get a deal NOW!  Of course, there are details --- always are ----- but, an exact quote is "The moment appears to be now," said Yoder. Well, hey there Kansas voters ---- with all the other things we know about Mr. Yoder, The Sea Of Galilee, huge campaign signs as big as starter homes,  it is, that we should also know Kevin is free of the dangerously goofy Grover, and that, in my book, is worth noting.  So noted.

Dear Gov. Brownback,

Yep, time for a letter to "you know who."

Dear Sam,
         I'm going to get right down to business on this subject so I have, for the present, dispensed with the formalities.  Why can't the disadvantaged, the working poor, the average citizen, the middle income wage earner -- all of these --  have the opportunity to experience "affordable health care?"  It seems you made sure Kansas topped the list of states that would be saying, "Hell No," to opting in to the plan.  The hospitals don't want you to turn the money down, and it is downright unkind to keep those in need from medicaid assistance, so exactly how do the citizens of Kansas benefit while you "stick it to President Obama" in this infantile gesture?

Now that the election is over, are we still in the "getting even mode?"  Really Governor?  I know the Kochs are furious that they didn't get what they paid for. But, they still have YOU, and that is quite a lot.  Actually it is an entire state, and Sam, you are truly Aces!

There are wonderful Sunflower State folks who are in need of affordable health care, and were looking forward to becoming eligible for the program.  Their basic needs in this very life that you so cherish are just as real as yours, and I am more than certain that YOU, SAM BROWNBACK, HAVE VERY FINE HEALTH CARE.  Gosh, I watched you stand right beside Texas Gov. Rick Perry when that Gov. held a rousing bible rally to kick off his presidential campaign.  There must be something in the bible about caring for those in need.

Sam, here is a question or thought -----Do you think you might allow for affordable health care in Kansas if the program was offered by a shiny Republican?   How about this ------ how about regarding the citizens of Kansas as people much like yourself, and not as means to promoting your political career as paid for by the Kochs.  If you were to do this one thing ------ think of us as people ------ "you might just get what you need" ----- and so will we.

As always,  Emma

(image from poster by Dave Lowenstein.  Read about poster being removed/censored in Topeka cafe)

Privilege Of Age?

What is going on with John McCain?  One moment he is shredding a reporter  who is asking a fair question, the next moment he is smiling at an interviewer's questions regarding the outburst with the reporter.  "All charm."

I know Sen. McCain often becomes cranky and out of sorts.  He feels he has reached a particular stage in life when he no longer has to observe basic courtesy.  I think he believes he has earned a certain "privilege of age."  I have often thought there were other descriptions for that term ----"privilege of age," such as rudeness, thoughtlessness, considering yourself superior to others, or considering yourself smarter than others.  If that list is at all valid, then "privilege of age" is not so very charming is it?

Please, Sen. McCain might you consider for a brief moment that you are not in possession of all the facts - all of the time ....... that you could possibly learn from listening to others who are in possession of real facts not just opinions or conspiracy theories.  Might you not want to experience the respect or perhaps wisdom that comes with age as opposed to the privilege that comes with age?

Footnote

Time has gone by since the election day, and we see how incredibly fortunate we are that the final result did not bring us Pres. Mitt Romney!  In these past days, Mr. Romney has proven to be amazingly childish, petty, and unable to publicly control his bitterness.  He is no statesman.  While life may have left him hugely unprepared for major disappointment, he does seem to have developed a rather well defined capacity for verbal revenge.  The world is moving on at lightening speed, and if Mitt Romney can't find a way to stop blaming others for his own failings  ---- and fast --- he will discover that he has become no more than a footnote to a truly remarkable time in our history.  Mitt Romney?  SEE FOOTNOTE !

Random Thoughts

I think the definition of shame should be simply the names - John Boehner, and Mitch McConnell.  Why?  How can you not take a call from the President Of the United States on election night?  "Sleeping?" My tush!!!  Of course these men are still awake and taking all kinds of calls from  shocked Republican men. (What  Republican women feel they have permission to call?)  On so many levels, their refusal to speak to President Obama is downright shocking.  It is disrespectful, and meant to be.  We have in these two men of Congress, two men of absolutely no dignity.  They do us no honor, nor do they honor the offices they hold.  They truly own their shame.  What are the odds that both men are equally so rude?  If you must retire to your bed, do you not leave orders to be awakened in the likely event that the President Of The United States will call?  Would you not want to pay your respects to this man, and the office?  What is the message that Mr. Boehner and Mr. McConnell seek to send?  We are left to come to our own ugly conclusions  -- right?

A thought for our dear Gov. Brownback:  Now that you see what happens when you seek to leave people you don't approve of out of the voting process, (when you were one of the very first states to build that "band wagon,")  how about building a new "band wagon" dedicated to making it easier for your citizens to vote?  You might get famous for that?  COOL!  For once let's be on the side of the angels.  Oh, never mind!  Well, at least you can't say I didn't give you a good laugh!!!!!

Regarding Gov. Romney ------ Perhaps he wasn't such a great business man after all.  I'm told great business men know what their competition is doing.  They always have a firm grasp on the numbers.  This man didn't have a clue, and as a result, we truly dodged a bullet!

Not a bad quote by Henry Wiencek :  "If you claim to have principles, you must live by them!"

FIRED UP  -----  READY TO GO!

WELL DONE!

Well done, a thousand times over!  So many victories were realized yesterday.  I am still cheering President Obama's wonderful victory, and once again, the incredible job done by his campaign organization. The voters too were amazing as they over came such unbelievable odds and obstacles to cast their votes in this election.  They honor us.  There were some great Senate wins, and the evening just kept getting better and better especially as we saw the wins for same sex marriage in Maryland, Washington State, & Maine.

Republicans ----- about that unproductive goal of making our President a "one term" President ----how did that work out for you?  I think we can agree that that kind of thinking helped no one, and the time has come to govern like adults, and for the good of the country,  ----- oddly, that will also prove to be good for your party, because what is good for the country can't help but be good for your party.  So consider the art of the compromise.  It is how governing is accomplished.

Two comments I heard last night, "President Obama maintained the dignity of the office."  "America won."

Why I Vote

President Obama took the time to write back to a 10 year old girl who has been teased in school for having two dads.  The letter is below:

This is the sweetest letter ever!  I think I just may frame it.  I am so filled with emotion when I read and reread this.  It is not just a letter.  It is not just a response.  It is a "hug"...  It is a "gift... to those of us who love so deeply!!  Like I said months ago on this blog, does one expect a gold medal for doing the right thing?  Well, yes, by gawd, YES!   (And also my vote.)

Biblical Values?

Opened today's paper to a full page portrait of Billy Graham urging us to vote "Biblical Values" on the 6th.  Who knew "lying" was a biblical value?  I'm nauseated.  

Perhaps the money spent to buy these ads could have been better used for the biblical value of charity to help those suffering from Hurricane Sandy?  Imagine how much more inspiring it would have been to wake up this Sunday morning to the Reverend Graham urging readers to put aside their political differences and reach out to help their fellow Americans in this time of great need.  Or maybe Reverend Graham could have just donated the money to buy those ads directly to the American Red Cross. 

To donate to the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief fund, click here.  

The Liar

If Mitt Romney were to win, one thing is very certain.  He will lie to us about anything that suits him or suits his purposes.  How does such a person come to be?

When you have built your entire campaign  --- several campaigns ---- on "the lie" how do you ever get  your integrity back?  Who will ever believe you again if you attain the office of President Of the United States?  Of course, this time, the one of many and latest lies was about Jeep, along with the auto bailout.  He frightened so many honest Americans for his purposes.  But, the entire list of lies encompasses every topic mentioned in the campaign.

Who is this man who says he is informed by his faith, yet doesn't hesitate to lie, to mislead. He forgets the consequences, scares good people, takes "what must - must be rightfully his, and lets those who are trusting or gullible suffer in fear?  Is it because he is white?  Is it because he is rich?  Is it because he says he is a business man, although many do not understand the true nature of his "business?"

What truly informs Romney is that it is quite alright to lie to people he does not personally know.  Are such people not worthy of kindness and truth?  Clearly not in Romney's cynical world.  In Romney's "special" world, it is permissible to lie.  He has left some families scared to death with that Jeep ad. They thought they were going to lose their jobs.  That is cruel!   Who would want this man at the helm? In "Romney World"to lie is to govern.  I repeat ----- CRUEL!

OBAMA!    FINGERS CROSSED!    VOTE!

 

A Fun New Word - "Rickeydooed!"

We were told by Claire McCaskill's mother that our fun new word is used when someone is running a "flim flam game, or when someone has been hornswoggled!"

We learned that Betty Anne McCaskill, age 84, passed away Monday.  She enjoyed politics, and clearly  was a woman of colorful speech who called things as she saw them.

Let's use Betty Anne's word in a sentence.  The people of Ohio are being "rickeydooed" by the Mitt Romney campaign, as they are being told that Jeep is moving it's jobs to China.

Are You Really Undecided?

You either want the man that stopped the economic catastrophe and started the slow climb back to recovery and stability, or you want the man that plans to employ all the same people that got the country in to the economic disaster we are presently fighting - a return to the past, so to speak.

You either want the man that started to build a real health safety net for everyone, or you want the man that wants us to have no safety net except for the emergency room, and life altering expenses.

You either want a man that saw to it that members of the GLBT community made further progress toward their civil rights, or you want a man that belongs to a group long dedicated to denying the GLBT community their full citizenship.


You either want the man that has restored good relations and trust with foreign countries, or you want a man that has already left a trail of allies gasping in shock in his path.

You either want a man who has kept to a steady value system, or a man that rearranges his core beliefs along with the changing tides. One man is familiar with truth.  The other man is uncomfortable with truth.

To put it in today's situation. One man's life has been dedicated to helping people get that "emergency generator."  The other man's life has never ever been without an "emergency generator."  He's got his ---- you take care of yourself!

This is a partial list, but it is a good start to help you become "decided."  Off you go now.  Vote, where you can ----- if there is early voting, and more importantly, if the weather is safe enough for you to venture out.  STAY SAFE AND BE WELL,  LOVE, EMMA.

 

Just A Thought

Remember our legislator from Ks. - Kevin Yoder - the one that took the phony baloney trip to Israel, threw back something a little stronger than Manischewitz, and jumped nude into The Sea Of Galilee?  Yes, that's the guy.  If you recall, he is running for reelection unopposed, but oddly enough he has the largest and the most signs planted all over the area.  He has outdone every other candidate running for any office in the entire county.  You wouldn't believe it!  I am told that the idea is to keep his name in front of the electorate for the next election. (As if any opponent would let any voter forget Galilee.)

Now here is my thought/question: How many wonderful things do you think could be done for the neediest of his constituents with the money already spent on those massive, and many signs?  Kevin Yoder is a "family values" guy,  and I think he could feed and clothe a great many "valued families" in his district. Acts such as that would certainly keep his name before the public.  Just think of it ----he could say, "Donation to Harvesters made by the Yoder Election Sign Fund," or, "Donation to The Winter Coats For Children, made by The Election Signs For Yoder Fund."  Aw, you get the idea.  "Name recognition"  -  "Family values!"  Win!  Win!  

 

Questions And Suffrage

How can women be so cavalier with their hard won civil rights?  I do not take this question lightly.  Are they so greatly in need of a man's approval that they will do and say anything to get that "verbal pat on the head?"

I was alerted to this phenomenon years ago when I was shocked to hear women phoning in to the Limbaugh show. They couldn't wait to tell him ----HIM ---- something they had just done or said to diminish their own rights.  Stunning!  The Rush response, as always, was "Right on, right on."  The woman caller thought she was quite special so great was her need for approval from this scam artist  --- a scammer that was secretly laughing at her.  Amazingly enough, Rush started out as little more than a "slug" with no ambition, lazy beyond description ---- working, (if you can call it that,) for the KC Royals.  He had the no skill job of figuring out what gift the first 100 people  should receive on t-shirt night!  Oh I don't know, perhaps t-shirts?  Next he got off his couch, and perfected his present "dog and pony" show ---- and from this some woman wants HIS approval!  STOP IT!

We even had a local woman run for office who didn't believe women should have the right to vote!  YES!

Everybody - women and men, should be required to take a course on the history of how women won that right to vote.  The final exam should be to see if the students can justify anybody voting for someone who seeks to diminish women's rights. Put that in essay form.  They would have to make clear why any woman would freely abdicate her rights by voting for a candidate who thinks she is incapable of making her own decisions about health, family, and government.

To the present day Republicans:  If you are worried about "personhood," how about starting with the "personhood" of a woman.

If you vote for the Republican party the loss of the rights of women will certainly not be reflected by the fact that women are a minority. We are not.  So, unlike the GLBT community, by voting Republican, women will be complicit in making themselves second class citizens.

FOR GOD'S SAKES, WOMEN, HONOR YOUR HISTORY.  SO MANY MEN AND WOMEN FOUGHT FOR IT.

Voting Day Surprise

Today was the big day.  Early Voting - First Day!  I arrived early, and was the sixth person in line.  The fifth voter, oddly enough, was an elderly man eager to tell me that he disliked Gov. Brownback, and literally didn't care who knew it.  (Easy to believe, judging by the pitch of his voice!)  The other four voters were looking daggers at this outspoken, rare specimen.  They appeared to think he was daft.  Since I said I agreed with him, he insisted on giving me his place in line.  Thus, I became the fifth voter, and he became the sixth. CHILVARY ON THE GREAT PLAINS!  He continued to rant on until the polls opened, and mercifully for the first four, the polls opened early!

If I had come at 10:00 the line would have been out the door doubling back on itself.  It was a steady stream from then on.  Most of the people were retired, just a few under 30.

As I approached the table, I extended my photo ID and said, "Please take your time."  I was very polite. - most sincere.  This is quite a responsibility.

As I left the polls in Johnson County, Kansas, I felt, WHAT A REMARKABLE SURPRISE ----- I actually know for a fact that the president received at least two votes here this morning.

Early Voting - Kansas!

Sam Brownback and Kris Kobach decided to live on the edge allowing "early voting" to stand in Kansas.  On Monday the 22nd I will be at the Metcalf South Shopping Center at 10:00 am. (Yes, for those of you who recall the Center - it still remains.  Sadly, it is almost ghostly in  appearance.  Yet, that is where early voting for our area takes place.  Kobach and Brownback have not yet invented phony reasons to take away early voting in Kansas.  There's always the next voting cycle......) After my experience voting in the worthless primary, I know that this time I will insist that someone actually look at my photo ID!  If I am to play my part in this charade, then the poll worker must play out their part. LOOK AT THE DAMN ID!  Well, anyway, Monday is THE day, and I can't wait to cast my vote..... to get it safely recorded, and hope that it is safely counted.

               
                                    DID IT  ACTUALLY WORK?
Do you realize that nobody seems to be talking about or asking for Romney's tax returns any more?  Was he really able to wait out the storm?  That is the best job of stonewalling I've ever witnessed.  Seems he got away with it, and he knew he would.  (Please pass the "family valium!")

"Please Proceed!"

I think we all can agree that M. Romney is remarkably enthralled, delighted, thrilled, in love, pleased, yes, enchanted with himself, but could he not have sensed that the words, "please proceed," as stated by President Obama were virtually interchangeable with the word S T O P as it appears on a big red traffic sign?  During the past Tues. evening's debate,  M. Romney was blinded by his own magnificence. He was not only buoyed by his sheer grand existence, but he had finally exhibited for all to see the fact that he has no respect for the office of The President of the United States. I think he told the president that he, (the President,) would get his turn. It is to be understood, after all, that the grand M. Romney must finish explaining his newest position on any question being asked. Bring forth the mirrors, and by all means, "PLEASE PROCEED!"

"It is a truly debilitating condition that I have battled all my life.” – Mitt Romney

Tearful Mitt Romney Announces He Has Rare Disease Where You Can't Sit Quietly On Stool When  Repeatedly Asked To.

http://onion.com/T2NaOJ

Really? No One Dies From Lack Of Health Insurance?

Well, as you might know,  we are in my territory now, so with the enormous help of Ms. Barbara Shelly, a columnist with the Kansas City Star, I am going to put forth a fact I have been trying to make, and she did make in her Oct. 12th column, about Romney's perception of how health insurance works.

Romney was quoted as saying, "We don't have a setting across this country where if you don't have insurance, we just say to you, 'Tough luck' you're going to die when you have your heart attack,'" he said.

"No you go to the hospital, you get treated, you get care, and it's paid for, either by charity, the government, or by the hospital. We don't have people that become ill, who die in their apartment because they don't have insurance."  MY GOD, IS HE WRONG!  As Ms. Shelly points out, and I have been muttering about -------- PEOPLE DO DIE FROM LACK OF INSURANCE!

Romney's moronic statement makes me believe he didn't have anything to do with writing or reading the Mass. health reform bill when he was governor.

When people don't have insurance, there is no preventive care.   When a person  reaches  a state of catastrophe and has to go to the emergency room, they are rarely among the survivors. At least that is what the statistics show.  If you do recover sufficiently to be discharged, well, just try to pay the bill, or pay for your meds that you will be needing, or pay for follow up treatment of any kind.  So the next
question is ----- why did Governor Mitt put together such a plan if all you have to do is wait until you are on the brink of death,  and someone finds you in time for the emergency room doc to actually save you.  (Not great odds!!!)

Most, or all, of what Mitt Romney says about health care is based on the premise that everyone listening to him is just plain stupid.  He believes that either he is sooo smart, or we are sooo dumb, that he doesn't have to bother with facts.  Pretty darned insulting.

Worry And Fret!

You know what some people would say I do best?  "Worry," and as we say on the prairie, "fret!" (I can see my children nodding and laughing right about now.)  What am I worried about?  You got it.  Romney!  He truly scares me.  Perhaps it has to do with my grandchildren.  I also know you don't have to have children and grandchildren to be scared of Romney.  You just have to know in your heart something is very wrong if Romney prevails. Is it as basic as old fashioned patriotism?  Is it that sick feeling that one can have if their vote is purchased, or if they are cheated out of their vote with out this being of concern to Romney?

Four years ago I was so elated when President Obama won.  Everything seemed so incredibly right when that actually happened.  (Of course there was still a great sadness regarding the result of Prop 8. We understood how that came about. So on we fight.)  But the President Obama win was mighty sweet.

In no more than a blink of an eye we were to learn that the present day Republican party pledged themselves not to our country's well being , not to patriotism, but to destroying President Obama.  Imagine getting every single member of your party to dedicate their work  --- not on behalf of their constituents --- not for the good of the country ---- not even  to govern, but to bring down one man. Insane! Unpatriotic!  Is it any wonder I worry, and I fret!?  Romney has become the choice of these people.  What Romney has not become, thus far, is a person that can ally the fears of a woman in Kansas  - a woman that looks for a sense of decency, intellectual curiosity, respect for others, and respect for basic truth.  This man doesn't have or show these traits now and certainly, he didn't seem to exhibit them as a youth.  HE SCARES ME!   Time to worry and fret.

PBS

Dear Mr. Romney,
          How does one come to the conclusion to cut funding to PBS?  Think of all the people who do not reside in urban areas - who might even consider themselves Republican - but have no access to symphonic orchestras, ballets, operas, theater productions or any classic event.  Perhaps, Mr. Romney, they might enjoy all those special occasions much like you do, especially at holiday time.  One holiday comes to mind --- the Fourth!  How about that wonderful celebration televised from our nation's capitol?  Are you against that for other people, Mr. Romney?

You know what else you might be exposed to ----- science!  You might find out why it is a good idea to keep your window from opening on a plane.  NOVA!

Are You Kidding Me? Open Carry? Really?

Welcome to Overland Park, Kansas.  To those of you who haven't been home for a while you should know we have a brand new law.  Yes sir!  We have ----- wait for it ---- open carry!!!!  Strap on that gun buckaroos we are headed for town!  It's official.  The city council voted 11-1!  YAHOO!  An individual can openly carry a handgun on public property as long as he or she has legally obtained said gun.  Don't you love it?  It seems you can't go around stealing that "heat" you are packing -- after all, there are rules.  Play fair for God's sakes.  You gotta keep that "gat" in a holster with the safety on ---- but, and here is the best part, you have to keep the weapon in your control at all times.  Oh, Lord have mercy!  That is positively no fun at all.  So strapping on your "piece" is just for show?  No sir!  Listen "pardner," a loaded gun is for "shootin" ----- even if someone bigger and quicker, and better with firearms gets the "drop on ya" ---- disarms "ya" ----- does tricks with your guaranteed macho gun, and finally blows your damn fool head off with that same gun that was openly carried..... even if all that ---- just remember that gun was made to be openly carried and used by gawd!  That will sure show "em."  Safety and sanity have come to Overland Park, Kansas -- my hometown.

My neighborhood store, where there's a helpful smile (and a loaded gun) in every aisle! 

UPDATE: 

The police chief weighs in.  From the Kansas City Star:

Police Chief John Douglass told the council he thought the new amendment was necessary; otherwise the city could end up in court.

He also said that although his professional opinion agreed with the change, his personal opinion did not.

After all, he said when asked by a council member, the new amendment allows any legal gun owner to openly display a firearm in public. The gun owner does not have to have a permit or have special training.

Douglass also expressed frustration that concealed weapons, which do require a permit and training, are already allowed in public places in Overland Park. The city passed that ordinance, to be in accordance with the state Legislature, five years ago.

“These are the reasons police chiefs stay up at night,” he told the council. “All these issues cause me concern. Unless there is a way the city could prohibit it, there’s nothing we can do.”

Councilman Paul Lyons was the only one who voted against the amendment.

Before the vote, he voiced his disappointment that the new law would allow gun owners to show off their weapons in places such as city parks or malls, given there is no sign on the building prohibiting firearms.

“I can’t imagine allowing people to carry weapons while they’re walking in downtown Overland Park,” he said. “This city has been named one of the top 10 cities to live in the nation. Allowing people to openly carry weapons sends the wrong message.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/09/25/3834042/overland-park-mayor-expects-little.html#storylink=cpy

Teacher - A True Story

In the Republican world of treating teachers as if they are poorly motivated leeches, I would like to introduce you to a teacher I've known personally for 44 years.  She has been teaching for 22 years, and is employed by what was once the most prestigious school district in the state. Really, it was known nation wide.  Students were "school ready," parents had high expectations, and always worked with staff for stellar outcomes.  Fast forward many years - many changes, and now approx. one small pocket of the district has been able to remain with the same high standard while the rest of the district showed what happens when a legislature and head of state come together to slash and burn education in theory, and school programs in fact --- in order to game the budget.  It shouts loud and clear that they do not share the same core values that once were held in high esteem in Kansas.  These amazing leaders show no understanding of, at the very least, what their legacy will be, when two thirds of a district experiences socio-economic change, and needs more - not less.

My daughter, the teacher in question, went from having students that came to school with everything they needed----to a classroom filled with children having nothing!  No supplies, and worse, no adequate food.  My daughter buys and keeps extra supplies for every child in need, (I match her output at the start of each year,) and she also keeps packages of food in her desk for those kiddos who have not had breakfast, or have not made it into the school provided breakfast program, or, who's parents didn't get them to school in time for breakfast. (She does her best to get her little "clients" in to that precious breakfast program as soon as an opening comes up.  She pretends to be surprised when the child comes to tell her of their great good fortune!  Hugs all around!)

This is not what she was initially trained to do.  These are skills that she has lately acquired, and it makes her furious that the governor and his minions in the legislature want to make further cuts to the schools at every level.  Is there any study in existence that states this will end well for the children and future of Kansas?  Certainly someone will profit.  I wonder who.