Typical.  Trying to stay centered while go, go, going.

Training for deployment and the election was a background event due to the issues at hand though we all knew it was HUGE.  Compassion for those peers who are McCain supporters and now need to do the hard work I’ve done for the past 8 years.  Like disagreeing quietly while trying to figure how they still fit into the big picture.  Committing to make their involvement easier than I found it to be the past several years.

Training was difficult due to (IMO) piss poor decisions.  More than once this week I said something like, “Is anyone else concerned that we’re about to take responsibility and oversight for the lower half of Iraq yet we can’t get this right??”  Communication and details so hard to deal with at times.

Returned home to find a long time companion had passed away literally minutes before I arrived.  My neighbor met me at my door with tears saying Shade was in the freezer because she didn’t know what else to do and knew I’d want to bury her in the garden.  16 years is a long time to wake up daily and have those eyes to look at and hear that “meow” which is now gone.

Wonderful times holding Julia and settling and feeling the connection and then rippling that out to the world.

 

So the week has been up and down.  Tears shed for hope, happiness, loss.

 

Just again grateful for a group of people here at ZNG being the change. 

 

Blessings all,

David

Had to put up with the cold shoulder from my coworker for a few minutes last night because I corrected/confronted her.  Was left wondering if I should have even tried.  Is it my job to “enlighten” her?  Is it my job to correct her?  Did I do so insensitively?  Am I just targeting her because she says so many things like this and I never seem able to let them slip by?

First we were discussing Franken and Coleman.  The recount is still happening and the race seems to get closer and closer all the time.  I think it’s a good lesson in how broken the democratic voting system actually is no matter how the count ends up.  I’ll wait for Greg Palasts views on the undercounts.  I find it interesting that as the recount progresses more and more votes are suddenly found for Al Franken...  hmmmm.  The following from here.  Remember Sheehan is the guy who can’t answer a question and Coleman currently has a complaints and a case pending with the Ethics board.

"Obviously, this is highly suspicious. They found 100 votes, and it's statistically impossible that all 100 votes went to the two Democrats, even in St. Louis County," said Cullen Sheehan, Coleman's campaign manager.

I find it highly suspicious that 100 democratic votes disappeared as well... of course my research the past few months has shown me that disappearing votes is easy.  So thankful there is a verifiable paper trail to recount.  POINT:  If you live in a place where there’s no paper recount ability get on the phone and start demanding it now before the next election cycle comes around.

Anyway my coworker said Coleman and republicans are evil.  I stated that was a label and just added to the problem.  That we could focus on behavior, ethics, statements but labeling someone evil didn't help.  She just repeated herself.

Reminded me of a few weeks ago when another coworker asked questions two nights in a row, "If Bush were here wouldn't you just punch him in the face?" and, "If Coleman were here wouldn't you just kick him in the balls?"  I responded no to both.  I think those are the statements and behaviors which have led to and prolonged the problems in the world.  Their behavior has repeatedly agitated me yet I don’t think beating them would help the situation at all.

Anyway a bit later my coworker was discussing the concern for Obamas safety and said she thought "the black" should tone down their euphoria or it would just add to the tension and danger.  She said it a few times and I finally said, "the black?"  Again a label.  She argued that I knew what she meant and she wouldn't say that if someone who was black were around and she couldn't see how I could feel offended 'cause I wasn't black, etc, etc, etc.

Again it's obvious I won't be changing her mind so why do I bother?  It just agitates her and causes tension at work.  Maybe it’s the way I said it?  I can work on that. 

I felt better when the morning paper arrived on the unit and I scanned this article - Sexual Assault on Campus: Culture Change 101.  Things don't change by not pointing out these things.  Particularly with my coworker I can work on how I present yet I do need to point it out even if I don't "change her mind". 

I guess it's high time we quit teaching woman how to be "safe" and carry mace and started teaching men what is and isn't acceptable.  I guess it’s high time to realize that saying something labeling and derogatory is labeling and derogatory no matter who hears it.  I guess it’s high time to say I’ll work on my presentation yet I am part of the problem if I let these things slide by in conversation.

My favorite part of the article is the opening...

Tyler Jones was tipping back a couple of beers with friends at a Dinkytown bar when he suddenly had to take a stand.

 "Hey, see that girl over there?" Jones recalled an acquaintance asking, nodding toward a woman he wanted to take home. "She's almost drunk. Not quite drunk enough. ... What shot should I buy her?"

 There was a time, Jones says, when he might have laughed off the remark. Not anymore.

 "You want to buy her something really strong to like, basically knock her out?" Jones, a University of Minnesota senior, recalled saying. "Man, that's not right. That's rape. That's sexual assault."

 The acquaintance looked stunned. "Whatever," he mumbled, and walked away.

One step at a time.  We move towards a better world.

Blessings all,

David

I finally found some time to watch election night speeches.

Obama uplifting AND then I have never been so proud and felt so close to McCain even as said, “please” as his supporters booed at the mention of Obamas name.

May anyone who supported McCain/Palin (and especially those who booed) listen to his speech again and help us all move on to new accomplishments.

 

May we move forward.  Yes We Can!

I truly don’t understand this.
How do you bankrupt your company making foresee ably bad investments.
Then get a portion of bailout money at taxpayers expense and spend a portion of that on a posh retreat for your upper staff.
Then expect more of the bailout money?????
Huh?
So I went to Congress.org and typed in my zip code and then sent the following to every official listed from Mr. Bush on down to local level along with sending a letter to the editor of my local newspaper. 

As you hold an elected office and have a public voice I'm asking for the following. 
AIG should be made an example of and completely cut out of the loop.
At the very least I believe you and everyone with a public position and voice should be condemning them for their behavior.  Anyone who participated in the golf outing should be smart enough to know it wasn't a good idea.
I can't imagine how anyone in public office could make a claim that throwing more money to AIG is in the publics best interest. 
I was opposed the 700 billion bailout plan however it was passed with the promise that there would be control and oversight.
What kind of oversight has allowed AIG to receive money and spend even one dime on golf AND now say they need more money?

It's that easy to be involved.

A timely reminder today of blessings.  Like this wonderful place and all the connections I've made.  Blogging forward this well written description of just how I so often feel.

I've been experiencing an overwhelming urge to say almost nothing this week.

Hello-
Trying to figure where to go at present.  Excited for the possibilities recent events in the US open up AND also the questions that result.

Two questions in my mind right now:

1)  How can we be handing out money when the "oversight" promised isn't yet in place.  PLEASE if you think this is a valid issue go here and type in your zipcode... then say your peace and cut and paste it to ever member you've elected at every level.

2)  My second question is bigger.  I watched a few youtube videos this AM where no one from the G20 would shake my current presidents hand.  I may be misreading yet it seemed the nonverbal cues when he tried were NO.  Won't link it 'cause it seems lame... search youtube for "G20, bush, handshake" and you'll have no need to ask if that was the link.  It's sad to me.  Sad for him, for the world, for the USA. 
So my second question is.... Is it in the US citizens best interest to pursue war crimes after this administration is out office?  Will that help the world or people in the US?  or just spend money needed for other things?

I still say we all need to keep getting involved.  I'm pretty clear on that.

Blessings, David