Saturday: Ohana means…
Posted: February 25, 2012 Filed under: just because 48 Comments
As you may know, Callie–my family’s beloved pomeranian dog-girl–died almost a year ago. March 13th will mark an entire 12 months without her physical presence…I still feel her with me, each and every day. She will never be left behind…or forgotten.
This week I adopted a kitten, Callie’s niece, my baby. I brought her home yesterday. Meet Lily Sue:
Tomorrow Today (Saturday), Lily and I are hoping to adopt and bring home Rue (hopefully Lily’s sister, and my younger baby by about 4 months…) Both Lily and Rue are rescue kittens, and while I got nothing but green lights when it came to adopting Lily, I’ve known Rue a few weeks longer… and there have been some roadblocks along the way. The funny part is…I might not have found Lily had Rue not been adopted before I could adopt her first. I was so upset that night I went scouring the internet for a kitty similar to her…which is how I stumbled upon Lily’s listing on petfinder.com…then never let my eyes off her. She’s sleeping in my arms right now as I type this, and I am on Cloud Nine. Funny how things work…
Funnier still is this: The day I started the adoption process for Lily–I got a call from Rue’s rescue organization saying that the family was having second thoughts and that I might be able to adopt her after all.
If Rue is meant to join us, she will. And, if not, we will always love her dearly and keep her in our thoughts and hearts, wishing her the loving, caring home she so richly deserves.
No one left behind or forgotten–simply more loved ones to not leave behind or forget.
And, with that Sky Dancers–here are a few Saturday reads for you, link-dump style…
- Fiscal Times: Hillary Clinton is Now Secretary of Job Creation…
The State Department may become the nation’s human resources department by adding job creation to its already bulging portfolio.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton invited U.S. companies to call on Foggy Bottom experts for guidance on increasing their exports, safeguarding intellectual property abroad, and increasing foreign direct investment in the U.S. as part of a new administration effort to promote domestic jobs.
- Elizabeth Warren’s op-ed in the Boston Globe: Denying women coverage under any guise is a big step backward.
- Cats can be Heroes and Sheroes, too! Spoken like a new kitty-mama 😉 From a headline out of my birthstate… Green Bay Press Gazette: Sturgeon Bay cat saves owner’s life; Feline wakes woman from diabetic seizure.
- From the Politics of Glitter…to the Politics of the Hairdo’s and don’ts, via msnbc.com… Stylist to anti-gay marriage governor: No haircut for you
- Those fetus fetishists are willing to let all their incubators die off of preventable and/or treatable disease, quelle surprise. Via Texas Democrats, Feb. 23rd (Thursday):
Today at the direction of Republican lawmakers and Attorney General Abbott, Health and Human Services commissioner Tom Suehs signed a rule that would essentially end the Women’s Health Program in Texas. This essential program, which is funded largely by the federal government, allows low-income women in Texas to access health screening for things such as breast and cervical cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Yesterday was Go Texan Day over here. If you want to get in the weekend rodeo spirit and do good at the same time, please check out these Go Texan-esque items from one of my favorite charities–MD Anderson Cancer Center Children’s Art Project.
Alright, well that’s it for me. I’ve got a Lily to attend to 😉 What’s on your read-and-rant list this weekend? Let us know in the comments and hope you have a weekend full of R&R if you can!
peej
Carissa
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mablue2
Mama Lopez
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Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
I think the GOP should just cry “uncle” and call it a day.
The 20 debates they hosted was an excuse to drag out the “crazies” which proved that no matter how bad Mitt was, he “soared” by comparison.
But having said that, with Mitt as the “last man standing” he will go down in flames come November, not because Obama is such a terriffic alternative, but because – well to put it mildly – he is Mitt Romney after all.
They just need to put an end to the misery that is the GOP nomination and concede. With the exception of the comedians who have been having a blast mocking this line up, the rest of us can be spared the insanity.
No one could make up this stuff they are shoveling out as political discourse unless they were smoking mushrooms and Mitt offers about as much enthusiasm as watching grass grow.
All they have managed to do – with a slogan of making Obama a “one termer” was to make him “acceptable” when poised against the opposition.
When all you have to offer is sheer ugliness combined with half assed statements that don’t hold up in the light, time to pack it in.
Trying to find one candidate less egregious than the other as the nominee is an excerise in futility.
Are they really abandoning democracy or simply a mirror image of Amercian democracy? Aren’t we a democracy of “democracy for me, not them/those others?” Do women in America experience democracy? Do African Americans or Latinos or Muslims or atheists? Are we actually a country of democracy for all anywhere but in word instead of deed?
While the press was busy covering the latest antics of Lindsay Lohan, the insanity of Charlie Sheen, and the stupidity of the Kardashians, the idea of “democracy” was being distilled in states where the legislature was actively punishing women by denying them their right to choose.
It is now becoming an “issue” when it finally found its way into the national conscious by way of the GOP contenders calling for even stricter sanctions against women which is causing a dialogue to develop.
But for the past 10 years, little by little across the nation, women’s rights have been usurped in favor of the Radical Religionists who do not recognize democracy in its present form.
As they continue to succeed, the very idea of a democratic society is quietly losing its grip. The replacement is an theocratical proposal under the banner of a”Christian nation” with a worldwide effort that his sanctioned by Dominionist theory.
Democracy, as we know it, is falling under the pressure of these right wing radicals and should not simply be credited to the likes of Rick Santorum. It has been going on for years but until now was uncovered by the MSM which is only now beginning to wake up.
Creating new definitions of “rape, calling for “personhood” for a zygote, demanding that probes be initiated prior to a medical procedure, and calling for a ban on contraception is nothing new in some states who place these issues on a ballot but have so far gone unnoticed.
What’s “new” in this argument is the press finally waking up and taking stock of this insidious rollover of rights that are about to erode the idea of what democracy stands for.
The approval of the “conscience rule” was just the start.
Pat, you are confirming my point but with greater eloquence. Bush/Cheney wanted to promote democracy around the world, especially in Arab/Muslim countries, while America was becoming more theocratic. I’m just asking why should we be surprised when the results of the Arab Spring are tending toward the same thing? Republicans screaming “OH NO” Christians are being persecuted in Egypt. Hell, the Christians in America are persecuting anyone who doesn’t swallow their doctrine hook, line & sinker. Those Middle Eastern countries, at least to me, are simply following our lead but with their religion of choice. Maybe someone should have remembered that old adage, “Be careful what you wish for.”
No, they are getting extremism trying to coop the Democracy movement. One group that killed Sadat for instance is now saying it was an accident, they were trying to get the people to rise up??? Yea, then they kept quiet for decades…
So, Hillary is correct in calling it out…the extremists are served by the old system, they are now trying to focus on who to hate next, which frankly I believe are agents of war mongers…and weapons dealers.
In Tunisia the women are continuing their struggle, as they have seen what has gone on in Egypt and Libya and I believe that too is what Hillary was addressing.
Oh, and we aren’t immune back here, with the War On Women and War On the Poor.
The irony is that we “tsk tsk” other countries who control women yet here at home we seem to be overlooking the very same tactics.
Sharia Law is based on religion. I fail to see the difference but for the “beheadings”.
Most of the male uprisings in the mideast can be traced back to young men whose testosterone levels are sky high due to their cultural practices of separating them from the female population.
Get rid of some of that “poison” they carry around and you might have a more civilized society of contented youth.
It’s religion itself that is driving the dialogue and that is never a good thing. Controlling the natural sexual urges of the population only leads to chaos.
Democracies fail when restrictions are placed upon a natural impulse that invites frustration.
Someone needs to take Rick Santorum out to the woodshed for a lesson in nature.
Connie, We are a democracy but the problem is too many people in America DON’T VOTE! Through complacency or ignorance, MSM sucks, we have let a minority take over the country. The best thing that could happen is the biggest GOTV effort ever to get all the people to the polls.
My point, ralph, is that 1) America has been calling itself a democracy for a long time while its history up until 1920 kept at least of its population from having voting rights, and 2) America has got up on the world stage and proclaimed itself the model for democracy, and 3) under the current world spotlight we are injecting radical religious doctrine into the dialog. So, we’re an example & exactly what kind of example are we setting.
Granted a too small percentage of registered voters vote. This is an interesting table on federal elections, but only begins in 1960. Best case scenario in any election is that 50% vote & of those 51% vote for the winner. That works out to basically 25% of the electorate determining who will govern 100% of the people. And yes, the uninformed, uninvolved & unconcerned need to participate in how our country is run. Do they think their vote won’t count? Do they think they are okay, so everyone else is as well? Are they simply lazy? I think there are a lot of factors and wonder what can be done to engage the vast majority of the electorate. Obviously at some point they cared enough to register. How do “we” get people to understand that the personal is the political? Is there one answer or a multitude of answers? Apparently the Religious Right has been able to motivate their people. The Left needs to bring the “left outs” together or I fear we are headed to a theocracy, a democracy for Christians only and a death being burned at the stake for everyone else.
Oops – should read: while its history up until 1920 kept at least half of its population from having voting rights.
Congrats on adding a new member to your family & welcome to life with cat.
Currently watching Up with Chris Hayes. He has Jame Poulos on, famous now for “What Are Women For?” 3 men, 2 women & the discussion should have taken the entire show. Oh, well.
Earlier he showed the Guttmacher Institute graph that Rachel Maddow had on her show earlier this week. http://www.guttmacher.org/media/inthenews/2012/01/05/endofyear.html I wasn’t aware of this organization until now, in my limited knowledge base (mostly cat centric, I must admit).
Note of advice: get Lily a cat dancer http://catdancer.com/catdancer.htm The world’s greatest cat toy & cheap. Don’t waste money on expensive toys.
Wonk the Vote,
Yes, congratulations on Lily, she looks adorable and eyes wide open (trying to type yet?).
Lily sounds like a real keeper, I’ve got a Josey.
Hey Wonk, enjoy the good memories of Callie, and making new ones with Lily, and possibly with Rue.
The Women’s Health Program in Texas actions are, of course, despicable. I wonder if this, along with all the anti-women actions and words in this election year, will be another reason for more people to step up and say “enough.”
Which for me raises the whole question, yet again, of why so many of “we the people” continue accepting the Two Party, you have only two choices framing.
More and more of “we the people” want a 3rd option, per poll results. If we had a charismatic candidate, with an organized campaign staff to get her/him on the ballot in all the states — we’d have a good chance at overturning the legacy parties lock on elections.
Barring the right candidate and right organizational work, it’s a slow process. But this voter is no longer a Dem, unless that party does a 180 and returns to FDR-style politics.
I’ve been convinced for a long time now that third / different / new parties are essential. I remain liberal, but years ago moved to an independent position. Among other things, I simply don’t see the Two Party system changing without outside pressure and options. That doesn’t mean pressure can’t be applied from within, but if that’s the only place it’s happening, I think we’re stuck.
Wonderful news about the new kitten, Wonk. You took the leap of faith! May you and Lily ( and possibly Rue ) have many happy years together.
Thank you for the reads round-up. Excellent as always.
Look at those soulful eyes! Blessings to you and your fur people. Many happy cuddles and romps. Nothing like a purring kitteh to take away (at least temporarily) the sting of crazy politics.
Put the coffee down first before you watch this… 😆
Anonymous– Warning to Vic Toews
Fabulous piece on Up with architect Michael Bell. Here’s the link to MOMA & the project: http://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/category/foreclosed-current
Basically rethinking the American Dream & home ownership. This makes so much sense to me. As a single woman trying to keep up repairs on a rapidly aging/decaying home is next to impossible.
O siem to little Lilly and may you, Lilly and potentially Rue have a long and happy life together. The little bundles of hair add some much joy to life – I couldn’t do without mine.
How are you doing? How’s recovery going? I’ve been thinking about you.
slowly getting better, thanks for asking Connie. Got some movement back – can type with both hands again, yay – but it’s going to be a long haul cause I damaged the heck out of the bicep, meaning I don’t have the strength to raise the arm, much less lift anything. Takes lots of time, and very painful exercise, but this too shall pass.
My mother had a radical mastectomy in her early 50s and had to regain use of her arm, stretch the skin. The exercises were horribly painful, but worked. Don’t give up, be diligent. Sending you hugs & well wishes in your recovery.
Anyone else watching MHP? I really do like her & her show. While discussing current topics, she injects a long term, studied perspective into the discussion. So far, 2 weeks in, I’m really loving this.
I just want to say that Lilly Sue is gorgeous and you, Wonk, are as sweet as you are smart.
That is all.
Wonk, I’ve seen your beautiful kitty on fb and she’s one lucky little furry critter to have you!
In other news, it appears that BP could get hit by around $52B in fines for the Gulf spill…
BP faces billions in fines as spill trial nears
I hope they kick their ass at trial!
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gKpODbEQaUcqUOY0gCCPkG3o2Z5Q?docId=3b2499f13ed0423a97d9fdb815e935d5
I said this in reply to Connie above but I’d like to add a bit to it.
We are a democracy but the problem is too many people in America DON’T VOTE! Through complacency or ignorance, MSM sucks, we have let a minority take over the country. The best thing that could happen is the biggest GOTV effort ever to get all the people to the polls.
In addition, so long as a majority of people in this country don’t vote, it doesn’t matter if we have two parties or five we’ll still wind up with the same crappy agenda being pushed by the same crappy people.
And in my reply, I meant to include this link: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781453.html
The poor don’t think their vote will make a difference. They may be right but we’ll never know until they try it. I hope the attack on birth control will bring more women to the polls in 2012 cause that would be a good start. Those most concerned seem to be under 30 and they are normally the lowest participation rate.
By the way, getting the disenfranchised to the polls would be a great place for state Dem parties to put a lot of GOTV efforts. They do it in minority communities but should broaden the efforts.
Agree totally. Its even more critical now with the push to limit voter rights in so many states (including Florida, where I live).
In my zeal to simplify things so as to better understand WHY, it seems to me that the Repugs, in general, speak in one voice. Dems, liberals, progressives, seem to me, to worship at the altar of “we are all individuals” therefore there are multiple issues, groups, messages. Unfortunately, by not finding a unifying concept, all of the groups (women, unions, people of color, the poor & working poor) have fallen victim to the divide and conquer reality. Add to that the reality that those living off their capital gains have much more free time on their hands than the folks who actually work for a living and don’t have nannies to care for their kids, or housekeepers & cooks to take care of their homes & families. Sorry, Madam Cynical surfacing here. Must get back to laundry, dishes, litter box scooping & errands. Too much politics already this AM. Bad Connie.
Hope you have a great day Connie! I doubt I’m any less cynical than you but if we don’t try to maintain some optimism they’ll beat us into the ground a lot easier.
Agree. The voting %s are ridiculous.
A huge problem is the caucus system for choosing candidates. I went to my first caucus in the 2004 primary. The Dem candidate who “won” my state was selected by approximately 3% of the state’s population. How’s that for democracy?
Caucus systems are easy to game, as we saw in 2008. That experience was so bad I doubt I’ll ever go to one again. (Not stuck in the past — still furious.)
A caucus system doesn’t encourage participation — you have to spend several hours milling about and listening to illogical, rude speakers, take time off work, there’s no secret ballot, no day care, no allowance for illness, the lowest 15% doesn’t count, and if you have mobility problems it’s a nightmare. No checks to see if you really live in the area or not. Or if you do really live in the area, your name might just accidentally get left off the list of delegates to the next level of caucus — depending on your candidate.
We need a fair, simple system of tallying people’s votes.
Jeez yes. The Texas 2-step was a huge mess in 2008. The caucuses in some areas were totally gamed, with the party establishment behind it. People tried to get rid of the caucus portion and failed. It’s a handy way for TPTB to keep control.
Both Texas and WA had a primary and caucus — and the vote totals were radically different.
Because of my experience in the caucus and all the crookedness of the WA Dem party along with 0bowma — the Dem party of WA no longer exists. They are the 0bamacrat party. And then the Dem headquarters was moved to Chicago — home of the dirtiest political machine in modern history.
Caucuses are the most undemocratic way of voting ever. Until the whole system is cleaned up and all the votes are counted — and UN observers can supervise free and fair elections — The US will never be a democracy.
The prez election is pure theater — and the religious right have learned how to game the system. Christian Taliban — I see very little difference between any of the Fundamentalists religions and they all play politics the same way — dirty.
Seriously, going to sign off for a while. Leaving with a squeeze for Darling Lily and good wishes for little Rue. Congrats again Wonk – enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. Take pictures, videos and rub those soft little tummies.
Hi Wonk,
I’m getting a late start today. I’m so happy you and Lily Sue found each other, and I hope that Rue will soon be joining you. Please keep us posted, and I hope to see more pictures in the future!
Rue is home!!
WHOO-HOO for Rue! And I’m with NW Luna – purrs are the bestest sound in the whole wide world. They can prevent insanity. Ah- ha, none of those numb nuts running for Clown Prince of the Repugnant Party ever had a cat!
great!
Oh Happy Day!
Wonk, post a picture of Rue!
Kansas may raise taxes on the poor to fund cuts for the rich
What the fk is the matter with Kansas? It turns out the Republicans want it to look more like Texas. More crazy from state legislatures!
Congratulations to Lilly you found a great forever mom — the best thing about cats — their purr. Cats are smarter than most people realize. Cats have slaves and dogs have owners.
We are traveling the Southwest with a Chihuahua and a cat — who do get along. Anyway the best RV parks are the ones with dogs and cats in the office.
Ohana — for sure — da kina Hawaiian way.
So, I’m back from errands and checked out TN Guerrilla Women. OMD – this is a truly painful video. If this moron was a standup comic he’d be pelted with rotten tomatoes, and be broke. http://guerillawomentn.blogspot.com/
Charlie Pierce has Weekend Reading up that’s well worth a read!
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/The_GOP_Looks_Into_The_Abyss