Like everyone else, I've been 'pestered' about my choice in candidates for the upcoming Presidential election since probably... 6 weeks after the previous election.  I had been not only tight-lipped, but down right refused to tell anyone my thoughts about them until I felt good and ready.  Well I finally feel good and ready. 

So who is it?  I was almost certain I would vote for Nader as recently as this morning, but I've been doing more reading and thinking about the matter.  Which aspect of my political and social identity would be given more credence when choosing my casting my vote?  Hillary because I'm a woman?  Barack because of his youthful drive and fresh face?  Nader because I want to show my Third Party support?  I had thought I was a Hillary supporter.  I remember the Clinton era well, despite my youth, and I still look back with great appreciation of the tasks accomplished in during those 8 years.  Yes I remember Hillary as well- intimidating, driven, crafty, intelligent- all of the qualities we need in a leader.  I admire her.  People alternate between chastising her for being too soft and sticking by Bill despite his infidelity, and calling her a hard-core ball-buster who isn't feminine enough- the fact that it appears so generally accepted that she can only be one or the other, and thus a woman can only be one or the other grates on me like little else does in this race.  Her negative qualities, are often those that are praised amongst men.  Today we have racism masquerading as National Security, and sexism masquerading as political strategy.  She is willful, and commanding, and I have no dout that she has the qualities to lead this Nation forward.

But my vote, sorry Ralph and Hillary, is for Barack Obama.  Is he young?  Is he less-experienced?  I've read his books and I've looked at his policy and voting history;  he and Hillary both have a stance on policy I greatly appreciate.  But Hillary is lacking the thing I feel we need most now as a country facing some of our darkest days- HOPE.  Barack seems to have more hope than all the other candidates combined. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23330293
Even when the talk turns to issues of his safety.

Will he make mistakes?  Will he say/do things that I don't agree with?  Of course.  Nobody's perfect, and for that matter, nobody can even agree on what perfect is.  All I know is that we could all use some hope, and we are definitely due for a change.

Alright Mr. Obama, you've convinced me.  Let's hope you can convince the rest of the Country; good luck and God Bless.  We're going to need it.

Mind-set: awake What are Tags?: activism, barack obama, good news, linky link, politics

We have reached that day folks- the day the <strike>music</strike> Bill of Rights died.  Have you heard of the Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act?  Yes that's right, an act of Congress that criminalizes thought-

"Harman's bill would convene a 10-member national commission to study "violent radicalisation" (defined as "the process of adopting or promoting an extremist belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically-based violence to advance political, religious, or social change") and "homegrown terrorism" (defined as "the use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily within the United States [...] to intimidate or coerce the United States government, the civilian population of the United States, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives"). "

1984 has come to call- McCarthyism was nothing compared to what's coming under this law.  Vague definitions of quasi-crimes used to eliminate the rights of individuals, what hath God wrought?  Why is nobody talking about this, why is there so little uproar?  More importantly, why the hell are our representatives not calling 'bullshit' on this?!  

And don't call for help from the Fire Department or an Ambulance if something bad happens, they've been deputized and given the power to have you arrested for what you think and read.

You want a 'threatened use, of force or violence"?  I'm not going to let somebody take my rights and my country from me-  I will readily sign up to join a militant resistence to this sort of thing- if we can't stop them with our voices, we must stop them with our bombs.  FREEDOM FOREVER.  

Mind-set: enraged What are Tags?: activism, linky linky, politics, rant

The White Ribbon Campaign is an organization from Canada leading a call for a change in men's attitudes surrounding Domestic Violence.  Every man has a mother, a sister, an aunt, a daughter, or a wife whom they love and would see no harm come to them.  But it's not enough to simply not abuse the women in your life; men need to take a stand everywhere and say that they will not tollerate men they know physically, emotionally, or sexual abusing women.  People trivialize the domestic violence movement, classifying it as a "woman thing" or other such nonsense, but the people of the White Ribbon Campaign are looking to remind people that domestic violence is not a women's issue, it's a family issue, it's a people issue, it's a human rights issue, and everyone has a responsibility to help end it.  Please take a page from the book of author and male activist Jackson Katz and take a stand against domestic violence and sexism among men.  This week KRZQ, in conjunction with local bars and businesses, is sponsering White Ribbon Week in Northern Nevada.  Local businesses are holding "white parties" where everyone wears white clothes, and offering discounts and perks to men who show their support in the fight to end domestic violence and violence against women by wearing white ribbons.  The event runs through Saturday December 1st, and I'd really appreciate it if my male friends and family would remember the women in their lives and wear a white ribbon in our honor.  Ladies out there can always do their part as well, purple ribbons are for domestic violence awareness, but you can wear a white one as well to show you support men who take a stand against violence, and encourage the men in your life to do the same.

Mind-set: busy What are Tags?: activism, domestic violence, linky link

So I'm watching The Simpsons and this commercial for Super Pawn comes on:

"Need to see a doctor, and don't want to wait till payday?  Super Pawn can give you up to $1500 as a payday advance!"

WTF is wrong with the world where a advertising point is that you cannot afford to see a medical professional WITHOUT first going to a pawn shop and getting a personal loan at up to 24% interest.  Why, WHY WHY should anyone, ANY human being have to wait till pay day to seek medical attention?!  What sort of society do we live in?  It's common decency.

Also- Newsweek rated each State on it's medical care based on factors such as access, coverage, equity, quality, etc... and Nevada ranked in the "worst" with a tie for 46th out of 50...

~sigh~

Bearings: Apartment- closer and closer! Mind-set: blah What are Tags?: activism, linky link, politics

Battered Women's Justice Project is a wonderful organisation, and I recommend everyone who has ever known a victim of Domestic Violence check it out.    They have a great post on the subject of Parental Alienation which I wrote about last week.  

A sample of the common sense:
Blaming “parental alienation” shifts the focus away from Baldwin’s choice – a hurtful tirade – and onto the imagined behavior of his child’s mother, suggesting she caused the child to reject him.  This focus is indeed widespread and unfortunate.  Rosenblum failed to mention that Richard Gardner, the originator of these buzz words, self-published his work, and the American Psychological Association has found it lacking in scientific evidence.  In addition, even Gardner himself said “parental alienation” was not at issue when actual abuse was present.  Just maybe an eleven year old child has her own reasons to reject her father.  

Mind-set: pleased Tunes: NEW Linkin Park! What are Tags?: activism, domestic violence, linky link

What's wrong with the world?  

Domestic Dispute Errupts in Gunfire at CNN's Atlanta Headquarters.

Murder/Suicide Victim from University of Washington had restraining order against her killer.

Women still 'to blame' for their own rape in Scotland.  (this one may require registration)  The story is awful enough, but the HORRID attitude of the commenters makes my head buzz.

I hate everyone.

Bearings: Work Mind-set: angry Tunes: Shiny Toy Guns What are Tags?: activism, badness, domestic violence, linky link, rant