New Hope and Change Continue

        ~ Will this cloture garbage end now? Do ya think???


Good Morning!
There are many of us let down by the obvious fact that America's young people thought their vote did not count yesterday.
A sickening attitude of "why should I?' that many bought into lock stock and barrel.
Uninformed and misled by many advertisements, and "news" programs - or sick to death of them, even the middle~agers were not there to stake their claim on their responsibility to vote.
The golden~agers, (possibly percentage-wise the largest segment that did vote), cast their vote accordingly based on the fearsome lies we have all heard.

The times change. "We must change with them, or..."

Whatever the reason does not really matter, (or does it)? 
I have heard, and still am hearing, many concession speeches that I would rather not hear.
Be that as it may, I can now choose to *cry in my beer* OR get a move on toward 2012.

The people who think to cheer will not be cheering to learn that the largest side effect of 'winning' is the fact that all the people outed will still be receiving their pay... We have all seen the radical emails about how unfair it is that these representatives of ours continue to collect their pay after retiring... So no whining about that later.
Don't like it? It won't be ratified soon.

For the rest of us, (ie: those of us that are still around after health care gets changed), we too will be working toward ratifying the results of 2010 by voting again in 2012.

HealthCare?

1. First, the entire thing may be repealed.
2. Second, it may be turned into something completely unrecognizable. Hats off to the insurance companies on this one; you have probably been granted quite a reprieve- for a time). My youngest daughter will be once again fighting for every bit of insurance she can get...
3. The third, may just be that The Public Option be once again in the offing- But this time, let's let these Republicans think it was their idea... (Among many other things).

I believe that in his concession speech to Reid Ribble, our unseated Senator/Dr. Steve Kagen said it best.

Know that this is quoted from memory; not verbatim.  "The battle for the future has not ended. - There are still many of us still standing up for the families on Main Street, and believing that they have more value that the corporations on Wall Street."
 - The corporations have no constitutional rights, "We, the people" do."

Yes, Senator Kagen, "We the people" do.
I also believe that 98% of "We the people" also believe in people before profits.
Thank you Senators Kagen and Feingold

I further believe that as soon as we can all get past the cheering and the jeering we can work on what comes next.
It is all part of the rollercoaster ride of life (again not verbatim):
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting...
'Holy Mary Mother of God! What a Ride!!!"

I do look forward to the next 2/20/200 political years.
As always, they promise to be nothing, if not more of the same- just with the shoe on the wrong foot.  Perhaps we need only to learn how to dress?

Additionally, I do feel bad for our President. 
Unfailingly Mr. Obama has worked for "We the people"-
He has been stilted, jilted, mocked, and stymied, at almost every turn. (And yet, with enough class, elegance, and intelligence, he has never been over that proverbial barrel).
Mr Obama, your job just got a little rougher.   * "Difficult, but not impossible."

We need only to restore our Faith in our president-
As like Mr. Kristof said, click here,  "Give him a chance"

Hmmm... How about we also give "We, the people" a chance too?

"We will battle on. The first day of the next campaign cycle starts tomorrow."
Senator Steve Kagen

My many personal and sincere thanks to our Senators Feingold and Kagen for representing Wisconsin in the most honorable of manner for so many years.

XOXO
Me

It is now almost 5AM- My dumpsters have been brought out to the end of the driveway and I am heading to bed.

graph from here

Varmints. Infusions. And Cheerios

    Punk- Bothered by the wind last week-


Good Morning All
Please vote today? Even if you think it won't matter, do it anyway. It's way too important not to. Personally I am happy that it is finally sinking into peoples heads that their votes can change the world in which we live. Your vote DOES count, no matter what you believe right now.
Undecided? Take the image of Casey to the polls with you, and vote according to your conscience. Know that a Republican vote has the potential to kill many people that wear her shoes, and fight her fight against a chronic, debilitating disease.

Lots going on today for us- Casey has another infusion, and I have a bit more shopping to do while I am in town- Happy I do not have to vote today. Those lines- around here anyway, promise to be long...


With November comes the advent of snow- Wish it were not so, but there is always the possibility of it- and lots of it. Of course no one knows how each season will differ from the last, but many are getting ready. I have seen many plows attached to trucks already, and many sights like this at area shops-


I still have to get mine out.

Casey brought me in yesterday for my darn head. My head feels better, but I still feel nasty- Could not fall back to sleep, worried that I would not wake in time to bring her in for that infusion. hehehe Talk about a vicious cycle.

These guys seem to cycle too-



A little mole thinking he might have liked some of that peanut butter.

These varmints are not in the house-
Thanks to an ever vigilant Sputnik, and Punk too. (Well, she tries). hehehe

In Spring and In Fall I always catch a bunch out in the attached garage. And every now and then, Sput does get one on the inside.
And it all has to do with the weather-


As does this... from last weeks windstorm.




The weathermen have told us that the mb's pressure from that storm was comparable to a Category 3 hurricane. Happy I am that I do not live down south, my headache had begun with that drop in pressure...

Punk would go outside, and within seconds was completely bothered by the fact that she could smell something, and not be able to figure out which way it was coming from. She would walk across the yard with her head swinging back and forth- Casey said she looked like she was at a tennis match! hehehe

Punk would gather up her toys, in whatever room she was, and just wait.




And wait...


Yes. Sponge-Bob now has a tail. Had to sew him up twice already. hehehe
So finally I just combined the two toys- Punk watches my every stitch...


Sputty?



He could care less ~as long as he gets fed.



After all that wind, Punk now chooses my old jacket to grab and go lie on.




She has also taken to lying under my little table... Cute




Sputty- Cleaning up after dinner. hehehe



Casey had moved her infusion from Tues to Thurs last week because of that wind.




Nick taking Casey's blood pressure- 105/58





I brought along some Cheerios for her to munch on.
She was still hungry so I ran to Tony Roma's to get her a sandwich!




I think she liked it! (I got the Claussen)! Mmmmm


I'd better close if I am to get in the shower before I leave- Perhaps even to turn the heat on before I do that...  It's about 30° outside as I type, and about 64° inside.

My love to all.

XOXO
Me

November Already!

Master Gabriel, playing in the sunshine at his home!












Good Afternoon all, and Happy November too!

I have been remiss in not sharing such good news- Especially after being sent these gorgeous pictures right after this child was born!

A belated welcome to baby Elizabeth!
She was born October 14th-
The first grandchild of Kristin and Steve! (Master Gabriel's Mom and Dad).




Granny Kristin and newborn Elizabeth!



A Grandpa was born that day too!

Sweet Baby E!
You have been born into one of the most wonderful families on the face of our planet.
For that you are, and will always be, blessed and rich beyond measure.
All my love, & with special congratulations to the whole family!

I love your new outfit!



Thanks to you (and a little help from Mason Crosby), our beloved Packers won yesterday!
It was a good Halloween game- (Any that end with a "W" in Green Bay is a good game).


Speaking of which, I received Halloween pictures from Kristin last night!

The GAK triplets, ready for Trick or Treating!


Batman- Master Gabriel, and his Princess sisters- Alexis and Kaylee


Casey and I stopped in last week- It had been too long between visits and it was high time to get over there.

Master Gabriel already was wearing his Batman shirt- The 2 girls also wanted us to see their costumes.


♫ ♫ Isn't she lovely?! ♫ ♫
Alexis- With Kaylee looking on- Both with such beautiful smiles!


Alexis straightens out Batman's ears, and even Annie gets in the shot!







Gabriel and Casey!

Too soon, it was time to leave-
Casey had her iron infusion that day and was really beginning to feel the effects, while my own anti-anxiety pill was wearing a bit thin.



Everyone waved and blew kisses.

Such a nice visit- and Halloween has passed until next year with happy memories!
This year was the first year, (maybe the 2nd), in my entire life that I did not get dressed up, or at least wear something silly. That's enough- maybe I'm getting up there and shouldn't be running around goofy.
Or maybe next year I will have the "bestest" costume EVER!
You have been warned!  hehehe


Thus marks the end of Halloween, and the beginning of Native American Month.  (You see, there really was method to my madness in those few prior posts on American Indians).

Tomorrow, won't you please get out and vote?
Casey has her 2nd weekly infusion tomorrow, (of 12 this time). She will vote after that. I already voted a week ago Friday.

Peace.

XOXO
Me

Paranormal- Fact or Fiction?

I know a few of you already know these stories. Some of you believe- Some not.
Either way is fine- But here are just a few of my own experiences...

On another blog, unrelated, there is a comparison made to ghosts and voting.
I have to admit I did not 'get it'-

But it did make me think that I have to post a bit of my own experiences after a friend commented not believing.

My friend is not alone.
Many do not believe in spirits-
Many more did not believe unless/until something happened to them. (This is the category I was in).

As for myself, I always thought that spirits and/or ghosts were bad- They were scary things that you really couldn't see or touch- And they were harbingers of that doom and gloom feeling.

When I turned 16, my mom said she would take me to see "The Amityville Horror" movie- But only if I read the whole book first.
She bought the book, and we both read it as we could. 
Still, reading the book did not prepare me for those 2 red glowing eyes I saw in the window in the movie...

You see, when I was about 3 or 4, I had come downstairs in the middle of the night to use the bathroom-
(A big girl I was, and did not want to wake my parents to take me anymore).
I came out of the bathroom, and had glanced into the kitchen. There were those 2 red glowing eyes looking at me from under the kitchen table. I quickly slammed the door, retreating to that little room, and screaming my lungs out.
So much for not waking the folks...

I do not recall how that was explained to me, but the image of those eyes have remained with me throughout my life.

Later on, growing up, now and again I would 'feel' someone here with me.
Since no one really believed, save for one experience my own mom had with my dads mom after she passed, I never did relay those scary, paranoid, experiences.

Those dismissive thoughts did not last long into my adulthood.

When I was about 23, I was dating my racecar man, Bob. One night he had stayed overnight, after getting some glass deep in his eye from working on the car.
At some point in the middle of that night I awoke and saw Roberta standing in the doorway to my bedroom.  As soon as I thought to speak to her, I remembered that my daughters were all staying at mom and dads-
Bob asleep beside me, I knew I must have been dreaming. So I closed my eyes. I waited. Then looked again.  "She" was still there.
Clearing my eyes, a closer look made me realize this girl was not my little Roberta-
This girl was wearing a dress I had picked up from a rummage sale earlier that day. That dress had yet to be washed- was laying on the laundry room floor.

I turned away once more, still thinking I was dreaming, and even pinched myself. Looking back a 3rd time, there she was. Still!
That was it. I screamed. I buried my face in my pillow. And I woke the sleeping Bob.
I did not even have the courage to tell him what had just happened! Just a "bad dream".

A few years later, remarried, my husband had fallen to nap on the couch one day. That afternoon he described that same little girl waking him!

At that point my own eyes really opened up.
I began to read many different stories- The library was only about 3 blocks away from our little townhouse-
What I couldn't find at the library I found in bookstores. Many people were corroborating my experiences, and my own feelings. I was thrilled! I was no longer afraid, or thinking these are bad things. After all, no one had ever been harmed at any point in my life, or with anything that had happened.

I have since experienced many different things that I realize are paranormal. As such they are defined as "Beyond the range of normal experience or scientific explanation".

I will enclose two of my favorite photos- taken in my own home...






02/09/2009
Two ladies in the doorway to the bathroom. (Original blogpost is here).



01/10/2010
Who is petting my dog? (Original blogpost is here).

Please back away from your screen if you have trouble seeing the images.

The history of my home is here.
There are more stories and images that are available to you simply by CLICKing here.

So... How was your All-Hallows-Eve?

XOXO
Me



From Ghost study, here, comes the difference between Ghosts & Spirits.
 
A ghost is someone who has passed on and is "stuck" between the physical world and the Afterlife. They do not cross through The Light to go on to the Afterlife, but stick around in this "netherworld" for one reason or another.

A spirit is a person who has passed on, but has actually gone through The Light and into the Afterlife. There they go through a life review learning process, and after that, are able to come and go between the Afterlife and our physical world.

Just a few grins, giggles and smiles...

The Pharmacist's Monday Morning

Upon arriving home, a husband was met at the door by his sobbing wife. Tearfully she explained,
"It's the druggist. He insulted me terribly this morning on the phone. I had to call multiple times
before he would even answer the phone." Immediately, the husband drove downtown to confront                                         
the druggist and demand an apology.

Before he could say more than a word or two, the druggist told him,

"Now, just a minute, listen to my side of it. This morning the alarm
Failed to go off, so I was late getting up. I went without breakfast and
Hurried out to the car, just to realize that I'd locked the house with both
House and car keys inside and had to break a window to get my keys.

"Then, driving a little too fast, I got a speeding ticket. Later, when I was
About three blocks from the store, I had a flat tire."

"When I finally got to the store a bunch of people were waiting for me
To open up. I got the store opened and started waiting on these people, all the time
The darn phone was ringing off the hook."

He continued, "Then I had to break a roll of nickels against the cash
Register drawer to make change, and they spilled all over the floor.
I had to get down on my hands and knees to pick up the nickels and
The phone was still ringing.
When I came up I cracked my head on the open cash drawer, which made
Me stagger back against a showcase with a bunch of perfume bottles on it.
Half of them hit the floor and broke."

"Meanwhile, the phone is still ringing with no let up, and I finally got
Back to answer it. It was your wife. She wanted to know how to use a
Rectal thermometer.

And believe me mister, as God is my witness, all I did was tell her."


*****
Norwegian Diet -

Ole was turning 88 and was overweight, so his doctor put him on a diet.

Doc said: "I want you to eat regularly for 2 days, then skip a day, and repeat this procedure for 2 weeks.
The next time I see you, you should have lost at least 5 pounds."

When Ole returned, he shocked the doctor by having lost nearly 60 lbs.

"Why, that's amazing!" the doctor said, "Did you follow my instructions?"

Ole nodded and replied..."I'll tell you though, by God, I thought I wuz gonna drop dead on dat 3rd day.

"From the hunger, you mean?" asked the doctor.

Ole replied,  "Oh, Hell no, it wuz from all dat damn skippin"


*****
CATHOLIC HORSES


One day while he was at the track playing the ponies and all but losing
his shirt, Mitch noticed a priest who stepped out onto the track and
blessed the forehead of one of the horses lining up for the 4th race.

Lo and behold, that horse - a very long shot - won the race..

Before the next race, as the horses began lining up, Mitch watched with
interest the old priest step onto the track. Sure enough, as the 5th
race horses came to the starting gate the priest made a blessing on the
forehead of one of the horses.

Mitch made a beeline for a betting window and placed a small bet on the
horse. Again, even though it was another long shot, the horse the
priest had blessed won the race.

Mitch collected his winnings, and anxiously waited to see which horse
the priest would bless for the 6th race. The priest again blessed a
horse.

Mitch bet big on it, and it won. Mitch was elated.. As the races
continued the priest kept blessing long shot horses, and each one ended
up coming in first.

By and by, Mitch was pulling in some serious money. By the last race,
he knew his wildest dreams were going to come true. He made a quick
dash to the ATM, withdrew all his savings, and awaited the priest's
blessing that would tell him which horse to bet on.

True to his pattern, the priest stepped onto the track for the last
race and blessed the forehead of an old nag that was the longest shot
of the day. Mitch also observed the priest blessing the eyes, ears, and
hooves of the old nag.
Mitch knew he had a winner and bet every cent he owned on the old nag.

He then watched dumbfounded as the old nag come in dead last. Mitch, in
a state of shock, made his way down to the track area where the priest
was.

Confronting the old priest he demanded, 'Father! What happened?

All day long you blessed horses and they all won. Then in the last
race, the horse you blessed lost by a Kentucky mile. Now, thanks to you
I've lost every cent of my savings -- all of it!'.

The priest nodded wisely and with sympathy.

'Son,' he said, 'that's the problem with you Protestants, you can't
tell the difference between a simple blessing and last rites.'


*****
False Alarms and Ghosts

An extremely modest man was in the hospital for a series of tests, the last of which had left his bodily systems extremely upset.
Upon making several false alarm trips to the bathroom, he decided the latest episode was another and stayed put.
He suddenly filled his bed with diarrhea and was embarrassed beyond his ability to remain rational.
In a complete loss of composure he jumped out of bed, gathered up the bed sheets, and threw them out the hospital window.

A drunk was walking by the hospital when the sheets landed on him.
He started yelling, cursing, and swinging his arms violently trying to get the unknown things off, and ended up with the soiled
sheets in a tangled pile at his feet.

As the drunk stood there, unsteady on his feet, staring down at the sheets, a hospital security  guard, (barely containing his laughter), and who had watched the whole incident, walked up and asked, "What the heck is going on here?"

 The drunk, still staring down replied: "I think I just beat the $hit out of a ghost."


*****

hehehe
I do love funny emails!

XOXO
Me

"Women are Angels. When someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly on a broomstick... We're flexible like that."

Test Your News IQ Q1 - Pew Research Center

LINK
http://pewresearch.org/politicalquiz/quiz/index.php


Cool quiz here- Everyone should take this one.

"Here's Your Score:"
"You correctly answered 11 out of the 11 possible questions, which means you did better on the quiz than 95% of the general public."
My results are not truly accurate, as there was one I guessed at.

Your results page will also show you in what area John/Jane Q Public are informed- and worse, where they are lacking some pretty basic knowledge.

(Thank you Aunt Marlene for emailing me this. I have happily passed it on)!

XOXO
Me

More Favre-

Happy Saturday!

From my email...
Get over yourselves, these are great-

On a personal level I could care less; save for where his wife and daughters are concerned-
When they are brought into this equation, this becomes very sick, very fast.

XOXO
Me








From here: "Clearly Favre is not going to leave the game gracefully and with fans feeling good about him. Maybe he has nothing else going for him in life except the lucky ability to play pro football? You can see how that could be scary."





Re: Jan Sterger
"The former Jet sideline hostess shot to fame in August when she accused Favre of propositioning her.
Sterger said Favre sent her lewd photos and inappropriate text messages when he quarterbacked the Jets in 2008.
Read more here.




Though I still haven't seen the broken ankle spoofs and cartoons, I did read this here:
“I'm not going to rule him out. If he's out, somebody has to step up. But unless they cut his leg off, it's going to be hard to keep him off the field."
- Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams on QB Brett Favre potentially not playing Sunday.










For those of you who do not follow football or the latest gossip, I found this article.
NFL Rakes in Money While Sitting on Favre Issue...
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
New York -
Roger Goodell, who was busy counting his money, said that he was happy he sat on the Favre issue until after the Vikings played the Packers because of how much money

the NFL made off the game... Click to read more- please read to the bottom.


Whether or not he actually cheated on Ms Deanna remains to be told. From the NFL comes this article: "Amid accusations, Deanna Favre relies on faith, outward focus"


I might easily add that Green Bay has the BEST fans in the entire NFL!

Whoo-Hoo!  Go Pack!

From deadspin.com comes this quote: "One thing that is notable is this: it turns out that Brett watched last year's Super Bowl at home in Mississippi. He didn't watch it alone, however.
According to one source, he watched the Saints miraculously defeat the Colts in the company of one special guest: Tiger Woods.
I wonder what those guys talked about?"

I wonder too...

top picture from here

Uncle Sam. How Scared are You?

Uncle Sam is right.
Vote wisely kids.

XOXO
Me

Stolen from SpaceStevie

MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEW HELMET (not for kids)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

ROTF!
I am not posting this because I think Favre may have behaved despicably both in his private life- and in his football career.
I am posting it because it is too funny NOT to.


~

~

HAHAHA

Outage Map (WPS in NE Wisconsin) Storm Safety

http://www.wisconsinpublicservice.com/outagesummary/view/outagegrid.aspx
Current Electric Outages (Wisconsin Public Service)

Just a link for those of us who are watching how warm our neighbors are, so that maybe we can help?

The link will bring up a map- Please check on your neighbors and loved ones.

****

Storm Safety

* Outages and Service Problems

Severe weather can strike quickly, creating a variety of dangerous situations. Use the following information to keep your family safe during and after a storm.


Preparing for a Storm

* Keep a portable radio or TV handy to hear local weather forecasts and other important news bulletins for your area.
* Have a plan to move yourself and your family — especially those with special needs — to another location in case you experience an extended power outage or must evacuate.
* Keep an adequate supply of water and non-perishable food items on hand.
* Ensure first aid supplies and medicines are readily available.
* Make sure flashlights are working and readily available. Always keep a supply of extra batteries on hand.
* Have at least one traditional analog phone in your home that does not require electricity to operate. Cordless phones and phones with built-in answering machines will not operate during a power outage.
* Consider the need for specialty items, such as prescription medication, baby food, warm clothing and a safe alternate heat source.
* If you have an emergency heat or power source, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions so you know how to use it properly.



During a Storm

* Monitor TV and radio for important weather updates and news bulletins.
* If you experience a power outage, call WPS at 800-450-7240.
* If you anticipate an extended outage, consider moving yourself and your family — especially those with special needs — to an alternate location.
* Check on others who may benefit from your assistance.
* Consider all downed power lines and anything touching them energized and DANGEROUS! Stay away from them and report the problem to WPS.
* Don't open freezers and refrigerators more than absolutely necessary. Opening these appliances will allow food to thaw more quickly.
* Turn off as many appliances, electronics and light switches as possible. This will reduce the potential for damage or fire. After the power is restored, wait 5 to 10 minutes before turning them back on.



After a Storm

* Don't try to cut or remove downed trees or branches unless you are absolutely certain power lines are not involved.
* Replenish your supplies of batteries, bottled water and non-perishable food items in preparation for future storms.
* Have a licensed electrician disconnect your generator unless the generator has an automatic disconnection device.



Downed Power Lines

* Stay away from downed or sagging power lines, and do not touch anything that is on or near them (i.e., trees or tree limbs, cars, ladders).
* Keep children and family pets away from areas where lines may have fallen (backyards, fields, school yards, etc.).
* If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire, or other immediate danger, jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.
* Report all power line hazards to WPS or your local emergency services agency.

*****

Once again, I am fortunate.

XOXO
Me

image from tampaone.com

Windy-

Good W~I~N~D~Y Afternoon;

Casey called before I left this morning to tell me she had rescheduled her Ferrlecit appointment for Thursday. She mentioned that after all this wait that 2 days would not make a difference. She did this for me, and if those 2 days do make a difference I won't be forgiving myself for not going into town.
It is nasty outside- With gusts over 50mph -to 64mph, we are under a 'warning' for these winds-

The barometric pressure has dropped to the 2nd lowest low for October, ever. So it was no great surprise to me when my vision started flashing this morning. I still have a bit of that headache even though I napped for a few hours when that happened.


Thus far this afternoon, my electricity has flickered about 3 times- Once, following a 'crack' I heard outside.
Almost afraid to look at any of my trees, I did go out to get my mail, (for the 1st time in a month or so)- hehehe
Greg and Casey fixed my mailbox this past Sunday, before that awesome Packers win over Minnesota!

The trees seemed OK yet; although there is one leaning precariously over the barn-grade that I hope will miss my power poles if it does go down.
Nor did I ever realize that the wires are very near to over my mailbox- Of course I didn't think I could scuttle so fast under the wires that feed from my poles to my house either.

That all said, I am seeing reports of significant damage on this side of Wisconsin.
Illinois and Missouri have winds at +70mph.
North Dakota is to be getting 8" of snow. A blizzard warning has been issued-
Our own wind and rain pale by comparison.

I can't recall if I posted any of this earlier and am not going to go in search of- I found it in my "unfinished blogs"- 
(Usually I delete after I post them, but with me, hey ya never know). hehehe

Casey and I went to check out the new Festival Foods in Suamico a while back- Pretty decor they had-



Wonder if it will still be that pretty when this wind storm is over?

I did a bunch of cooking after getting plenty on $ale-
But in Fall one must keep everything covered while cooking/baking etc so one of these guys won't fall in.



I hate Japanese Beetles!!!


Are you hungry?
We got some good roast on sale- I cut it, using half for 2 stews- (one pkg frozen for later).


Mmmm....

And then using all my $ale things for the roast too-



Now are you hungry?  hehehe


When we had gone to Suamico we saw an awesome sunset-
Save for 2, these shots were taken a few miles apart-














A sunset that looks like fire over the bank!  So beautiful!


Speaking of beauty, here are some real beauties!
I can't recall if I have posted this picture earlier or not either? Even if I did, it is so cute, it bears another peek... hehehe



Behold the  beauty!!!
And praise for these gals at DHPI- (Our Miss KelliBaby being 2nd from right).
Their department, 'purchasing', won for breast cancer awareness month!
Congratulation Ladies!
I do not know what they won- Recognition would be enough!

I have now heard 3 separate sirens go screaming past.  I hope everyone is safe and this is just power lines down somewhere.
News will be on soon-

That said, I'd better close this blog before I lose it to this "windpocalypse".
Hope everyone is safe, sound, and warm.

My love to all.

XOXO
Me

Back to Ferrlecit

Good Morning all;
This will be short- already the hail/sleet (whatever it is), is hitting the side of the house.
The winds are atrocious-
(Gee, I hope nothing hits me in the head). hehehe


Casey resumes her infusions today- And has been so very sick of late. Please just keep her in your thoughts and prayers-


Know too that I am saddened by the possibility of any American losing their newly acquired hope for HealthCare.
That the potential even exists is beyond compassionate thought! Please Click

Know that  Republican vote, city hall to senator, will kill many people like my Casey.
Your conscience. Your choice.

XOXO
Me

Polling Places Removed From Native Reservation

Tribe deprived of rights

By Rob Capriccioso

If this doesn't scream discrimination, what does?
Special recognition and thanks to Tammi and Care2.






From here:
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/home/content/Tribe-deprived-of-rights-105034464.html



DEVILS LAKE, N.D. –
Tribal citizens are no stranger to having their rights trampled on. Now, members of the Spirit Lake Reservation say their right to vote is also being taken away – to the alarm of some state and federal policymakers.

The Benson County Board of Commissioners, which oversees the county that includes reservation lands, decided this election season to close three polling places in the tribe’s three-precinct vicinity.

Commissioners rationalized their decision, saying there is a high cost to operating the polling places, including training and paying staff.

In response, tribal leaders offered to provide funds to recruit and train workers, and said the county could use facilities that would be rent-free.

The commission refused the tribe’s offer, saying that costs would still be too high, and that mailed ballots would be cheaper.

Many tribal members would therefore have to travel longer distances to cast a vote in person, as only one polling location would be available in the county. Almost half of the total votes cast in the county in the 2008 presidential election were cast by Native American citizens.

In early October, the tribe filed suit against the board’s decision.

Benson County State Attorney Jim Wang said in a local radio interview that the lawsuit would have to be resolved within three weeks. At the time of his interview, Election Day was three weeks away.

“Whether this is intentional discrimination or not, the bottom line is that closing polling locations located within the Spirit Lake Nation will disenfranchise American Indian voters on the reservation, and this injustice cannot stand,” said Myra Pearson, Spirit Lake Nation chairperson.

Tribal officials have noted that the county has previously tried to hamper Indian voter participation, pointing to statistics from the 2000 election.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., had asked that the county keep the polls open, and he now feels disenfranchisement is possible.

As a result of his concern, Dorgan has asked U.S. Attorney Tim Purdon to review the decision. His office noted that all other Indian reservations in North Dakota will have polling locations during Election Day.

“I think this decision by Benson County officials will disenfranchise American Indians,” Dorgan said in a statement. “I want the U.S. attorney to review with the Justice Department the decision and determine whether there are actions that can be taken to compel the county to have a polling place on the reservation where people can cast their votes.

“In addition, there are other areas of the state where people will find fewer opportunities to cast their votes with fewer polling places. I believe the state should reverse course on these election law changes and find ways to make it easier to vote rather than harder to vote.”

Some state officials are also concerned, with the chairman of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party urging the Benson County Commission to open an Election Day polling place in Fort Totten, N.D., to make voting easier for residents of the Spirit Lake Reservation.


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Also from Care2 website comes this story-
Link http://www.care2.com/causes/civil-rights/blog/polling-places-removed-from-native-reservation/


Residents of Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota are protesting the county's decision to remove three polling places from the tribe's three precinct vicinity.

The Benson County Board of Commissioners cited the high costs of running the polls and training staff as reasons for their decision. Spirit Lake leaders offered to front the costs for recruiting and training poll workers as well as provide rent-free facilities, but the board declined, saying the costs would still be too high and that mail-in ballots are cheaper.

In a county where Natives account for 50 percent of all voters, this move will most certainly disenfranchise them. With only one poll location in the entire county, they will have to travel further and have a longer waiting time to cast their vote. While mail-in ballots may be cheaper, every voter should have the same methods available to cast their vote as every other voter in the U.S.

The tribe filed a lawsuit against the board earlier this month, but the judicial system will have to act quickly considering Election Day is near.

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) has publicly condemned the Benson County Board's decision, commenting, "I want the U.S. attorney to review with the Justice Department the decision and determine whether there are actions that can be taken to compel the county to have a polling place on the reservation where people can cast their votes...I believe the state should reverse course on these election law changes and find ways to make it easier to vote rather than harder to vote.”

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Are you angered and sad yet? If not, what's it going to take?

Is this a pathetic attempt to rig the election?

How about a deep criminal investigation into this, and other antics of the Benson County Board? (Why would it not surprise me to see a very high percentage of Republican, white men on that board)?

This screams to get the attention of The BIA, and The White House.

XOXO
Me

PLEASE SHARE THIS!  On your website and in your email.

Eight False Things The Public “Knows” Prior To Election Day | OurFuture.org

http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2010104222/false-things-public-knows-they-go-vote

Eight False Things The Public “Knows” Prior To Election Day

By Dave Johnson
October 22, 2010 - 1:07pm ET

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Links are all clickable-

There are a number things the public "knows" as we head into the election that are just false.

If  people elect leaders based on false information, the things those leaders do in office will not be what the public expects or needs.

Here are eight of the biggest myths that are out there:

1) President Obama tripled the deficit.
Reality: Bush's last budget had a $1.416 trillion deficit. Obama's first budget reduced that to $1.29 trillion.

2) President Obama raised taxes, which hurt the economy.
Reality:   Obama cut taxes.
40% of the "stimulus" was wasted on tax cuts which only create debt, which is why it was so much less effective than it could have been.

3) President Obama bailed out the banks.
Reality:   While many people conflate the "stimulus" with the bank bailouts, the bank bailouts were requested by President Bush and his Treasury Secretary, former Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson.
(Paulson also wanted the bailouts to be "non-reviewable by any court or any agency.")
* The bailouts passed and began before the 2008 election of President Obama.

4) The stimulus didn't work.
Reality:   The stimulus worked, but was not enough.
In fact, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the stimulus raised employment by between 1.4 million and 3.3 million jobs.

5) Businesses will hire if they get tax cuts.
Reality:   A business hires the right number of employees to meet demand.
Having extra cash does not cause a business to hire, but a business that has a demand for what it does will find the money to hire.
Businesses want customers, not tax cuts.

6) Health care reform costs $1 trillion.
Reality:   The health care reform reduces government deficits by $138 billion.

7) Social Security is a Ponzi scheme, is "going broke," people live longer, fewer workers per retiree, etc.
Reality:   Social Security has run a surplus since it began, has a trust fund in the trillions, is completely sound for at least 25 more years and cannot legally borrow so cannot contribute to the deficit (compare that to the military budget)!
Life expectancy is only longer because fewer babies die; people who reach 65 live about the same number of years as they used to.

8) Government spending takes money out of the economy.
Reality:   Government is We, the People and the money it spends is on We, the People.
Many people do not know that it is government that builds the roads, airports, ports, courts, schools and other things that are the soil in which business thrives.
Many people think that all government spending is on "welfare" and "foreign aid" when that is only a small part of the government's budget.

This stuff really matters.

If the public votes in a new Congress because a majority of voters think this one tripled the deficit, and as a result the new people follow the policies that actually tripled the deficit, the country could go broke.

If the public votes in a new Congress that rejects the idea of helping to create demand in the economy because they think it didn't work, then the new Congress could do things that cause a depression.

If  the public votes in a new Congress because they think the health care reform will increase the deficit when it is actually projected to reduce the deficit, then the new Congress could repeal health care reform and thereby make the deficit worse.

  ...  And on it goes.

Mr. Johnson has done his homework!
Astra has done his, where I borrowed the link from. (Thank You, Will).

Please vote!
And VOTE in a careful, responsible, and educated, manner.
In other words, please VOTE WISELY!

XOXO
Anne

Fox News Viewership Plunges 21% While MSNBC Grows

http://www.politicususa.com/en/fox-msnbc-ratings
Quoted from article:
"The shrinkage of the Fox News viewership mirrors the shrinking of the Republican Party."
Modern Day "Shrinky Dinks" ?

One could surmise that many people are slowly but surely admitting that they don't like to be (accurately) called stupid for believing the lies.

Please click the above link for more!

XOXO
Me


Link stolen from SpaceStevie. Thanks Stevie!
http://spacestevie.multiply.com/links/item/53