tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-208865652024-03-07T14:48:19.383-08:00GoMommyGoGoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-66855884227685392302008-01-14T08:56:00.000-08:002008-01-14T09:04:10.086-08:00Math Quiz to Discourage Early Pregnancy<span style="font-family:verdana;">On the subject of teen pregnancy, an ounce of prevention is worth 8 pounds 2 ounces of cure. So, I'm posting a little quiz I call "Math to Discourage Early Pregnancy".<br /><br /><br />1. Poor Benny is sick. On Sunday he cried until 1:00 in the morning. How many hours can his mommy (or daddy) sleep before the alarm rings at 5:30 so s/he can take Benny to the babysitters’ house before s/he goes to work cleaning hotel rooms?<br /><br /><br />2. On Monday, Benny cried until Midnight then slept (off and on) until 5:00 am, Tuesday he was exhausted. He fell asleep at 9 pm, but woke up wet and hungry at 4:30 in the morning. On Wednesday, he was finally healthy again. He slept from 8:00 until 2 am, then went back to sleep from 2:30 until 5:30. Assuming Benny’s daddy and/or mommy slept every minute that Benny did, how many hours sleep did they get in 3 days?<br /><br /><br />3. On Thursday morning, Benny got carsick. To get the smell out of her car, Benny’s mom is going to rent a cleaning machine. It costs $8.50/hour, plus $9.85 for 1 liter bottle of cleaning fluid. If she can clean the entire car with only 2 bottles of cleaning fluid in 3 hours, how much will it cost, altogether?<br /><br /><br />4. It’s Saturday night and Benny’s mommy wants to go out with her friends. It costs $5 to get into “The Club,” plus a 2-drink minimum. It’s $2 for a “Club” soda (carbonated water). The babysitter charges $4/hour. Benny’s mommy has $40 left in her paycheck. She needs to save $12 for gas plus $10 for baby food, diapers and ramen noodles. How much does she have left?<br /><br />5. If she has just 2 drinks, how long can Benny’s mommy go out?<br /><br />6. Extra Credit. Suppose some $#@^%$%^*! puts a “rufie” in Benny’s mommy’s Club Soda, and she wakes up in a frat’ house on the other side of town. The bus fare is $1.00. She arrives home at 8:20? How much will the babysitter charge?<br /><br />7. Extra Extra Credit. Compare the typical salary of an inexperienced high school graduate versus the cost of diapers, childcare, additional rent for a larger apartment (share rentals don’t accept babies), baby food, etc. Hint: This may be a negative number.</span>GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1679839008754121792007-08-23T11:20:00.000-07:002007-08-23T11:39:55.652-07:00Yahoo!'s Cover FeatureWhen I saw this, this morning, I had to giggle.<br /><br /><blockquote><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLYvAYMjdU5lZgsRl4MISKnZ66LSOaVESUQZ68aJVWhO3QEj4UWyV-2GzKR89wmsBn_5IxZ252mJf3Qa-gs8ozSfIlDJVh-p7uo4mDdfHPaiOS4VqvibhPNJBdq6B8C6wrHmC/s1600-h/woman_clipping.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101963806512307218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="130" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLYvAYMjdU5lZgsRl4MISKnZ66LSOaVESUQZ68aJVWhO3QEj4UWyV-2GzKR89wmsBn_5IxZ252mJf3Qa-gs8ozSfIlDJVh-p7uo4mDdfHPaiOS4VqvibhPNJBdq6B8C6wrHmC/s400/woman_clipping.jpg" width="168" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLYvAYMjdU5lZgsRl4MISKnZ66LSOaVESUQZ68aJVWhO3QEj4UWyV-2GzKR89wmsBn_5IxZ252mJf3Qa-gs8ozSfIlDJVh-p7uo4mDdfHPaiOS4VqvibhPNJBdq6B8C6wrHmC/s1600-h/woman_clipping.jpg"> <span style="font-size:85%;">Aug 23, 2007<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></a><a href="http://www.yahoo.com/s/658243"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLYvAYMjdU5lZgsRl4MISKnZ66LSOaVESUQZ68aJVWhO3QEj4UWyV-2GzKR89wmsBn_5IxZ252mJf3Qa-gs8ozSfIlDJVh-p7uo4mDdfHPaiOS4VqvibhPNJBdq6B8C6wrHmC/s1600-h/woman_clipping.jpg"><br /></a><a class="video" href="http://www.yahoo.com/s/658243"><span style="font-size:180%;">Tips to add 'curb<br />appeal'</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLYvAYMjdU5lZgsRl4MISKnZ66LSOaVESUQZ68aJVWhO3QEj4UWyV-2GzKR89wmsBn_5IxZ252mJf3Qa-gs8ozSfIlDJVh-p7uo4mDdfHPaiOS4VqvibhPNJBdq6B8C6wrHmC/s1600-h/woman_clipping.jpg"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Experts and people on the street offer easy<br />ways to improve your home's landscaping</span>.<br /></blockquote></a><br />Yes, having a fit, attractive woman in our front yard --even if she weren't doing yardwork --WOULD make it more appealing from the curb.<br /><br />My husband agrees and would like to know if she's available. He adds that neither price nor landscaping skills -- or lack thereof -- will be a concern.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-44563403410086118532007-08-15T12:42:00.000-07:002007-08-15T12:47:30.930-07:00Mom's Midlife Convertible’Twas the middle of summer<br />When we ran to the yard<br />Yelling, “Hey look, Dad,<br />Mom’s got a car!”<br /><br />It was as cute as a bulldog,<br />Just cozy for 4.<br />You could feel the <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">g</span><span style="font-size:85%;">s</span> (whee!)<br />When her foot hit the floor.<br /><br />But when she drove us to school,<br />The neighbors would stare<br />‘Cause she did it topless<br />While drying her hair.<br /><br />Nowadays she loves gas stations.<br />She just loves to pass ‘em.<br />One question, Dad,<br />What’s a car-gasm?<br /><br />We heard her exclaim it<br />As she caught each green light<br />Singing, “I’ve got Mini Cooper! --<br />And a really great life!”GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-38148666154543740072007-03-05T12:07:00.000-08:002007-03-07T16:31:29.727-08:00Next Live Highway Blog: a Crosses4peace Memorial<span style="font-family:verdana;">The Next Live Highway Blogging Event </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">will be a memorial to the fallen in the Middle East, both soldier and civilian, We'll host the event for commuters from 4:15 to 6:15 pm on Monday, 3/19/07, the 4th anniversary of the Iraq invasion.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Note new location: Event moved just one highway block to the intersection of Highways 29 & 221/Silverado Trail below "The Crusher" sculpture. To the north is Napa Valley, to the east is Lake Berryessa. Honest, if you're on Highway 29 near Napa after 4:15, you won't be able to miss us.</span> <span style="color:#990000;">PLEASE be careful. Turn around if you must, but please DON't cross the highway on foot.<br /></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&amp;q=napa,+ca&layer=&ie=UTF8&z=13&ll=38.241551,-122.268734&spn=0.070918,0.186768&om=1">http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&amp;amp;q=napa,+ca&layer=&ie=UTF8&z=13&ll=38.241551,-122.268734&spn=0.070918,0.186768&om=1</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As we did last Friday, we'll plant white Crosses4Peace in the grass along the highway, we'll hold crosses, too, so they can't be missed. My black hearse-like suv will carry the banner and hold the flagpole. Our flag will fly at half-staff. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Blog about the last Live Highway Blogging event at </span><a href="http://www.crosses4peace.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.crosses4peace.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> w/ <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">photos.</span></strong><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Live Highway Blogging combines 2 new 21st century ideas to improve upon an idea older than America itself – protest. Memorials similar to the Crosses of Lafayette are being erected all over the country, but they often encounter problems with local municipalities because of ordinances limiting signs or displays. Freeway bloggers, on the other hand, typically hang large banners from overpasses or billboards near freeways with fairly concise political messages like, "Impeach" or "We’re all wearing the blue dress now." This is usually a misdemeanor, and the signs are typically removed within 24 hours – fewer in Napa . </span><a href="http://www.freewayblogger.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.freewayblogger.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Summer Mondeau of Crosses4Peace.org explains, "From necessity and the first amendment came invention. By standing at the memorials with our signs, our crosses and our American flag at half staff on public property, we are a peaceable assembly petitioning our government for redress. That’s VERY legal." CHP has confirmed that the memorial event IS legal so long as the display is on a highway, not a freeway. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It was just another postcard evening w/ crystal CLEAR skies and full moon. As seen in the Vallejo Times-Herald (no link )and the Napa Register (great photo of veteran and peace activist, Mark Glickstein) </span><a href="http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2007/01/03/news/local_top_story/doc459bb1d6021be050019078.txt#blogcomments"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2007/01/03/news/local_top_story/doc459bb1d6021be050019078.txt#blogcomments</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />When the event ends, we'll put our Crosses4Peace back in our front yards. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Crosses of Lafayette video link (KTVU News channel 2 with Amber Lee) </span><a href="http://www.ktvu.com/video/10984002/index.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.ktvu.com/video/10984002/index.html</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><br /><br />Finally, the last banner asked "How many more?" I'm thinking for the next one, I should say<br /><br /><strong>US: 3169 Iraqi: ? </strong><br /><strong>Had enough? </strong><br /><strong>call your Rep</strong><br /><strong>1-202-224-3121 </strong><br /><strong>Crosses4peace.org</strong><br /><br />What do you think?GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-76906343436439438202007-02-12T10:21:00.000-08:002007-01-26T12:59:56.024-08:00Immigrants must adapt - a responseMy mother knows a lot of people w/ a lot of opinions. She forwarded this to me with her comment, "Actually I think there is some truth in this. At first I thought it was pretty hard line, but as I kept reading I began to see their point. Thought you also might find it interesting."<br /><br />I've trimmed it a little out of respect for your time. The news story is posted on Snopes.com, the entire commentary portion (explained in my response) is easily found by googling any key portion of the text.<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="color:#006600;">Amen!!<br /></span><a title="http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/australia.asp" href="http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/australia.asp" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="color:#000099;">http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/australia.asp</span></a><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="color:#000099;"><br /></span>Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.<br />A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia and her Queen at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his Ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that Australia was a secular state, and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia< /st1:cou ntry-region> is not for you", he said on National Television.<br /><>...<br />Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. (Not John Howard's)<br />Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."<br />"However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the 'politically correct' crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia ." "However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand." "This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, we have our own cul ture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."<br />"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom"<br />"We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society .. Learn the language!"<br />"Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture."<br />"We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us."<br />"If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like "A Fair Go", then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. By all means, keep your culture, but do not force it on others.<br />"This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,<br />'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."<br />"If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted."<br />Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths!<br />If you agree please SEND THIS TO EVERYBODY YOU KNOW!</span></blockquote><br /><br />I felt compelled to respond,<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="color:#663366;"><span style="color:#6600cc;">You're right, there is SOME truth. But from "Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT'" it diverges from a news piece to a commentary of either American or Australian origina (sic) that was tacked on.<br /><br />Few problems w/ the author's premises at least as they apply to the United States of America.<br /><br />"This idea of Australia being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. And as Australians, we have our own cul ture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle."<br /><br />A multi-cultural community is a large PART of our national American identity, not a dilution of it. Remember the Great American Melting Pot? People bring their culture and SHARE it with us, making a more complex, flavorful stew (Salsa, curry, chop suey -- oh my!). If America's sovereignty is diluted --maybe it is -- I wouldn't blame immigrants, I'd look toward corporations, lobbyists and corrupt officials (e.g. Abramoff, Delay, Marianas Islands) who break up unions and fix elections in other nations keeping wages artificially low, shelter income in Cayman Island post office boxes so they don't pay taxes, offer scientists $10,000 each to cast doubt on global warming and consolidate the media so that a nation who watches only network news, at best, could be mislead into a war against its own interests. Let's not blame immigrants. It's the powerful screwing things up, not the powerless.<br /><br />As far as "Christian principles, founded this nation, " that's another partial truth, to be kind. Yes, primarily (exclusively?) of English descent, many of the people who helped kill and steal the land from the natives here were Christians. (Do you honestly think they'd have welcomed a Buddhist of Chinese descent, for example, in the First Continental Congress? ) Nevertheless, many other founders were deists and Freemasons. This explains why, in part, why the most important right, -- to Christians and those few non-Christians who were free to participate -- the very first one in the Bill of Rights is "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"<br /><br />It seems to me, Americans are long on backbone, we're short on a most basic understanding of our real heritage. It's not an unburnable flag or even a common language (although it makes things smoother) that make our country great; it's those inalienable human rights that OUR government first acknowledged came from our Creator that are valuable, not some red, white and blue "culture". As long as we protect and defend those rights recognized by Our Constitution, America values will be okey-dokey. If you trash our liberties to preserve our "culture" you'll be left with neither</span>.</span></blockquote>GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-36563397086217600192007-01-26T12:50:00.000-08:002007-01-26T12:59:56.853-08:00Putting it ON my chestThanks to the ironies of modern medicine, I have a pretty nice rack, to borrow my husband's phrase. Sure, what I spent on "the Wotowics" could feed and educate a third world family for a year or so, but dammit, as long as I was having the tummy tuck and the lipo, I might as well get my money's worth from the anethesia and the recuperation period. <br />No, I'm not trying to get a date. I have a political reason for making this disclosure, it's just another idea help you get your points noticed. (Yes, I know, I've gone too far)<br /><br />Thanks to the ironies of modern medicine, I have a pretty nice rack, to borrow my husband's phrase. Sure, what I spent on "the Wotowics" could feed and educate a third world family for a year or so, but dammit, as long as I was having the tummy tuck and the lipo, I might as well get my money's worth from the anethesia and the recuperation period.<br /><br />No, I'm not trying to get a date. I have a political reason for making this disclosure, it's just another idea help you get your points noticed. (Yes, I know, I've gone too far)<br /><br />My niece is 14, so when she wears words on her pants, it's cute it a girlie sort of way. When 50-something Goldie Hawn sported "Juicy" on her backside, however, I kept thinking, "Maybe... but I doubt it and I really would rather not think about it." But that's another tangent. I'm getting around to this. If you're going to write somethin' on your backside (or frontside), make it count! Why spent a buttload of money on upscale euro-centric clothes to promote upscale euro-centric clothes, when you could sport a very fashionable anti-war message instead? Even the Gap gets that peace is cool and by implication, in contrast, war is stupid, which might be a good thing to express with your chiseled cheeks.<br /><br />As in Freeway blogging (<a href="http://www.freewayblogger.com/">http://www.freewayblogger.com/</a>) and those little Sweetheart Valentine's Day candies (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweethearts_%28candy%29">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweethearts_%28candy%29</a>), the message must be extremely concise. Freeway blogs are good to copy, Convesation Hearts (like "Kiss Me", "Whiz Kid" or "Hot Mail", generally, are not. Similarly, I don't recommend sending your teens to school with the word "Peace" written across either their chest or tush. Given our national trend to suck at spelling, the message would probably be misunderstood.<br /><br />Reminds me of the Happy Hippis who named their daughter Easy Flowing Essence. By the time she got to high school, they saw how short-sighted they'd been to nick-name her "Easy". <br /><br />I just discovered t-shirt transfers I can make in my printer. I'm having oodles of fun! On election day, for example: I walked all over town with VOTE printed front and back in the largest letters I can find. But it's not just t-shirts and asses! In terms of getting creative with message placement, I even tried to sell advertising space on my bald head on e-bay. (post chemo -- another story June 2006). One woman used her pregnant belly to promote a casino, but it would have made a great space for a peace symbol, don't you think? <br />Y'all have such great ideas. What would you say and wear (pun intended) would you say it?<br /><br />originally posted at <a href="http://www.dailykos.gomommygo.com/">www.DailyKos.GoMommyGo.com</a> Mon Dec 18, 2006 at 09:59:21 AM PSTGoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-51961518121100072772007-01-20T11:31:00.000-08:002007-01-20T11:33:03.881-08:00Why we'll always have war with "W" in Whitehouse.Money.<br /><br />The "people" running our government are war profiteers. They profit when they sell weapons of destruction, then they profit when they sell tools for reconstruction.<br /><br />They will not "succeed" in the Middle East because "success" is not the goal -- at least not "success" as reasonably compassionate human beings define it. That would mean a place of sufficient peace and stability that people could live, move about safely and pursue happiness. Unfortunately, such a place isn't as profitable as the chaotic Hell they're creating in the "cradle of civilization."<br /><br />Where'd I get such a crazy idea? Here. Notice it's written in April 2003 just a month after the US invasion of Iraq. <a href="http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2003/0304.marshall.html">http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2003/0304.marshall.html</a><br /><br />We hold these truths to be self-evident.... That all men* are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Peace is EVERY man's inalienable right. Insist on It!*Lest you think "men" does not include women, please see, for example, US Constitution, Preamble, "We the People..."(emp added).GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-58334465709837420972006-12-13T08:44:00.000-08:002006-12-13T09:23:46.579-08:00Hate American Style<a href="http://www.marinij.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=1391808"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.marinij.com/portlet/article/html/imageDisplay.jsp?contentItemRelationshipId=1391808" border="0" /></a> This is how one man in San Anselmo expresses his patriotism. I agree it's freedom of speech. It's deeply offensive speech likely to cause more suffering for Americans and other humans. The world is watching. As it's creator surely intended, to the millions who loved and needed those people killed in our name, seeing this must feel like being stabbed in the heart with a US flag. <div> </div><div>For the love of humanity, PLEASE do not remain silent! Show the world that haters like the one in San Anselmo don't represent the country we love.</div><div> </div><div>"What should I do?," you ask. As Howard Zinn responded, "Do anything." But do something! If you have a yard, a window, a car, a shirt or any means of communication --written, oral, symbolic -- use it. Freedom of Speech: It's not just for 8th-grade Social Studies anymore.</div><div> </div><div>We'd love for you to join us in the Crosses 4 Peace project. <a href="http://www.Crosses4Peace.org">www.Crosses4Peace.org</a>. If crosses don't work for you, make a sign or use a different symbol, but please don't do nothing. The world is watching.</div><div> </div>GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1165697921392809082006-12-09T12:55:00.000-08:002006-12-09T12:58:41.403-08:00I hate war, but I love making history.www.Crosses4Peace.org is part of a NATIONWIDE movement. The headline story from InsideBayArea.com confirms it. I couldn’t wait to give you the update. Here’re some quotes that spell it out. I’m too excited to speak myself.<br />“In at least a dozen cities across the country, hundreds of white wooden crosses have been erected in memorials to fallen U.S. troops in Iraq…”<br />“Now Napa peace activists, inspired by the crosses in Lafayette, are attempting a movement of their own. The group is encouraging people to put a white cross in their front yard, or in the window if they live in an apartment…” <br />Two dozen crosses have gone up so far in Napa, north Clearlake and Sebastopol. Organizers hope to eventually have crosses in yard after yard in Napa and beyond, until the war ends, said Summer Mondeau, an event organizer.<br />It isn't the crosses people respond to, but what they symbolize, said Ron Dexter, a member of Veterans for Peace, which organizes the "Arlington West" cross memorial on a Santa Barbara beach. <br />"It revolves around one issue: support of the war or not," Dexter said. <br />"It's being done by the peace movement and consequently being labeled as a protest," said Tonia Young, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles chapter of Veterans for Peace, which organizes a similar display in Santa Monica. "But I think the crosses speak for themselves." <br />Jeff Heaton, whose Lafayette memorial inspired the Napa activists was delighted about the project. “This is a great idea. I was hoping something like this would happens as a result of our efforts. We are turning the cross into a peace sign instead of a sign of the crusades. I hope this idea takes off across the country. I will pass this email on to others.”<br /><br />P.S. We have about 40 crosses out with more requests coming from farther away every day. We’ll be making a presentation on the project to the Sonoma Veterans for Peace on Tuesday.<br /><a href="http://">http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/ci_4810859</a>GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1164132350815291922006-11-21T09:58:00.000-08:002006-11-21T10:05:50.833-08:00Little Crosses: say nothing for peace“Little Crosses” by S. Mondeau sung to the tune “Little Boxes” by Malvina Reynolds (from the HBO series “Weeds” featuring Mary Louise Parker)<br /><br />Little Crosses in our front yards<br />Little crosses made of 1 x 4’s<br />Little crosses painted ghost white<br />And they just might end a war.<br /><br />Simple, silent. Recognizable, undeniable. A white cross* in your yard**, like the ones at Arlington West or Camp Casey, would mean so much. Honor the sacrifice of the fallen troops, mourn the innocents lost, help end the suffering sooner. Let every friend, neighbor and passer-by know that you support peace.<br /><br />UNCOIL (United Napans Concerned Over Iraq Lunacy) members have been inspired by Jeff Heaton of Lafayette, CA and other pioneering peacemakers. With 300 white wooden crosses and volunteers, Mr. Heaton made his friends’ front yard into an honor memorial for peace. It’s visible from Highway 24 just east of the Oakland hills.1 <br /><br />300 crosses is more burden than most can bear, but if each of us could display just one simple white cross in his yard, we could speak volumes without saying a word. We’re planning a to gather for cross-making at my house on 12/2. <br /><br />You can get it started too, right in your own backyard. Here are tried and tested instructions to produce 5 crosses from 3 pieces of wood 1” x 4’ frugally and with ease. You can offer extra crosses to friends and neighbors who don’t have the talent or tools that you do.<br /><br /> Directions: <br /><br />#1 piece is 36”+ 18” + 18” + 18” <br />#2 piece is 36” + 36” + 18” <br />#3 piece is exactly like #2<br /><br />Cut a pointed end on the first 3' piece. Then use it as a master pattern to cut the others. It cost $2.00 for each 1 X 4. A paint roller cost $3.00. It took a quarter of a gallon of Z Prime to paint all twelve pieces at once. Z Prime dries in one hour, under optimum conditions. Be sure to get the lower $2 grade DF lumber or the cost will escalate. They make a stunning solitary display against the occupation. Be the first on your block to get one.<br /><br />Show us yours! Send photos to UNCOIL2005@yahoo.com. We'll post them on the website as soon as our overworked webmaster has it up and running.<br /><br />Update: The City of Lafayette has ordered the reduction or removal of the sign that accompanied the now 420 crosses. It said, “In Memory of 2867 U.S. Troops killed in Iraq” Apparently, some people found that offensive.2<br /> <br /><br />Optional second part of “Little Crosses”:<br /><br />And the people shown as crosses<br />All trusted their President<br />And they came home in wooden boxes<br />Covered by Our flag.<br /><br />* Of course, you could use other religious icons like the Star of David, but they’re harder to make. If you have ideas, we’d love to hear them.<br /><br />** Apt/Condo dwellers: If wood won’t work, maybe a window cross made of white tape would. Conveniently and appropriately available in your first aid kit.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://">http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/13/BAGPNMBNA61.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea</a><br />2. <a href="http://">http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=4779073 </a>(including video newscast).GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1163273287657928012006-11-11T10:17:00.000-08:002006-11-11T11:28:09.413-08:00Hardliner Calls Out the ChickenhawksParticlularly interesting is this article appeared in TownHall.com, a decidedly right-wing forum and it filled me with even MORE hope than I got from the election results. It's pretty obvious Charles Colson was thinking of today's NeoCons (Cheney, Bush, Rice, Wolfowitz) when he referred to this observation from <strong>AWOL: The Unexcused Absence of America's Upper Classes from Military Service — and How It Hurts Our Country</strong>, "...wealthy elites who avoid military service will someday be running America — and their ignorance about what our military endures or is capable of may cause them to misuse our troops..." Colson concludes, "America's most privileged youth should remember something their ancestors well understood: To whom much is given, much is expected — and that applies to serving their country." I couldn't agree more. Celtic Dragon added, "There is something to be said for Robert Heinlein's scenario from his classic book "Starship Troopers", where citizenship could only be earned by military or other federal service. To be part of the body politic, you must show willingness to sacrifice on its' behalf." When BrianR added that one could also serve in, "... an approved equivalent (Peace Corps, reserves for a longer term, picking up freeway trash, whatever)." I thought, you might just have something there.<br /><br />Maybe more interesting than the article itself, is the author. Charles Wendell "Chuck" Colson 'was Richard Nixon's hard man, the 'evil genius' of an evil administration.'...Known as President Nixon's hatchet man, he is purported to have once bragged, 'I'd walk over my own grandmother to re-elect Richard Nixon.' Colson authored... Nixon's Enemies List." <a href="http://">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Colson</a>" I think that makes him Nixon's Karl Rove. After a serving 7-months in prisong for his role in Watergate, he formed an organization to promote prisoner rehabilitation and reform the US prison system. It sounds like a 180 degree turn, but not really. He's still a hardline NeoCon/TheoCon (TheoCon Wiki: <a href="http://"> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theocon</a>)<br />When folks like he and I agree, anything's possible.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1162768350407462892006-11-05T15:10:00.000-08:002006-11-05T15:12:30.406-08:00Fun GOTV idea.Be a walking Get Out The Vote billboard. Make your own vote T-shirt. Step 1: You need: T-shirt transfers from the office supply store, a computer and printer, a good-looking t-shirt, an iron. Step 2: Use WordArt or whatever to Write “vote”, then enlarge it. Step 3: Print. Step 4: Cut out the design and peel the backing off. Step 5: Iron on. Step 6: Look sharp, be cool, feel proud.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1162767653575672992006-11-05T14:51:00.000-08:002006-11-05T15:02:08.006-08:00Election-Related News/Scandals You May Have Missed Because There Was No Sex InvolvedElection-related News:<br /><br /><strong>Republicans Post Nuclear Secrets on the Web</strong>. NY Times reports that R's Hoekstra and Roberts w/ signoff from Bush and against advice of intelligence officials and Int'l Atomic Energy Agency, posted "secret nuclear research (from) before the 1991 Persian Gulf war. The documents... constitute a basic guide to building an atom bomb." Why did they do it? Desperate hope that someone would use the documents to show the existence of WMD to justify the Iraq invasion. <a href="http://">http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/03/world/middleeast/03documents.html?ex=1320210000&en=ba99ceafb0f67900&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss <br /><br /></a>Also from NYT: <strong>Republicans Fire the Man Who Prosecutes War Profiteers</strong>. Special Inspector General in Iraq, Republican, “ Stuart W. Bowen Jr. (has) sent American occupation officials to jail on bribery and conspiracy charges, exposed disastrously poor construction work by… Halliburton and Parsons, and discovered that the military did not properly track hundreds of thousands of weapons it shipped to Iraqi security forces… Mr. Bowen’s… reward for repeatedly embarrassing the administration: a pink slip.<a href="http://"> ”http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/03/world/middleeast/03reconstruct.html?ex=1320210000&en=a10afb5d74a4018d&ei=5089&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss</a><br /><br />Not to miss the latest trend, the <strong>NYT Is Also Apologizing</strong>. They said Lamont was wrong when he claimed Lieberman said, "Stay the Course: Joe said it at least 5 times. <br /><a href="http://">http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/opinion/05pubed.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp</a><br /><br />Rolling Stone reports that this <strong>109th Congress Is the Worst Ever</strong>. <a href="http://">http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12055360/cover_story_time_to_go_inside_the_worst_congress_ever </a><br /><br />And <strong>who are the worst of the worst</strong>? According to the Stone:<br /><br />10. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Co) – The Christian Warrior<br /> 9. Hal Rogers (R-KY.) – bin Laden’s Best Friend<br /> 8. Curt Weldon (R-PA) – The Conspiracy Nut<br /> 7. Dick Pombo (R-CA) – Enemy of the Earth<br /> 6. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) -- Mr. Bigotry<br /> 5. Jerry Lewis (R- CA) – The King of Payoffs<br /> 4. William Jefferson (D-LA) – The Bribe Taker<br /> 3. Don Young (R- AK) – Mr. Pork<br /> 2. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) – The Dictator<br /> 1. Dennis Hastert – (R-IL) – The Highway Robber.<br /><br />Of course Cunningham, Foley, Ney and Delay are disqualified because they resigned. Here’s why everyone made the list. <a href="http://">ref="http://">http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/12054520/the_10_worst_congressmen/10 </a>GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1162767017123163812006-11-05T14:36:00.000-08:002006-11-05T14:50:17.373-08:00First Live Freeway BlogThe first live blog went reasonably well, although I only met up with one other person. My fault, I think I was too hard to find. <br />Fortunately, the photographer from the Napa Register found us as we were hanging "TORTURE does nOt work" with my 10-year old son's help. Unfortunately, I don't think they published the photo. <br /><br />I also met up with one of the local Sherriffs who explained what was and was not allowed on "government" property. You CAN stand near a Highway holding a sign, but not ON the Highway. You can't hang signs on other people's property or THE People's (public) property. If you do, they will take it down and they COULD give you a ticket.<br /><br />The next Friday, we were positioned on the Trancas Street overpass with 2 blogs:<br /><br />"Where's Osama<strong>?</strong>" and "Absolute Po<strong>W</strong>er Corrupts<strong></strong>"<br /><br />Local police ignored me, but a handsome CHP officer was afraid I was endangering the drivers below. I asserted that I was petitioning my gov't for redress and pointed to the Wine Train's advertisement also over the Freeway. He said they probably had a permit, I said commercial speech still doesn't trump free speech. He said he didn't want to argue. Neither did I. I cut the signs and the American Flag down from the fence which was helping me hold them. He left. I went home on account of darkness.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1160010804959956352006-10-04T17:58:00.000-07:002006-10-04T18:13:24.986-07:00Freeway Blogging Goes Live - in Napa.I certainly didn't invent Freeway blogging. To the best of my knowledge, that began here: <blockquote>http://www.freewayblogger.com/</blockquote>. I wasn't able to find anyone who was doing it LIVE, so we'll be pioneers here in wine country. <br /><br />I'm creating a series of 7 banners that I'll display along southbound Highway 29 between Yountville and Napa.<br /><br />The first says: 5 years, 2 <strong>W</strong>ars. The next: Where's Osama<strong>?</strong> The 5th: Torture does n<strong>O</strong>t work. The 6th: Absolute Po<strong>W</strong>er Corrupts...<br /><br />I'll disclose the rest after I unveil them at the Drive Out Bush demonstrations tomorrow, Oct. 5 at 4:30.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1158815283061266202006-09-20T22:04:00.000-07:002006-09-20T22:08:03.080-07:00Bye-Bye Bushie: a poll<form action="http://poll.pollhost.com/vote.cgi" method="post"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="150" bg border="0" style="color:#ffff00;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:-1;color:#000000;"><b>When will George W. Bush leave the White House?</b></span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input type="radio" value="1" name="answer"></td><td><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:-1;color:#000000;">2009, as scheduled</span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input type="radio" value="2" name="answer"></td><td><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:-1;color:#000000;">2007 - Impeached!</span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input type="radio" value="3" name="answer"></td><td><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:-1;color:#000000;">2008 - Finally Impeached!</span></td></tr><tr><td width="5"><input type="radio" value="4" name="answer"></td><td><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:-1;color:#000000;">2006 - flees to "undisclosed location" w/ Tony Blair immediately after November elections</span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><input type="hidden" value="R29Nb21teUdvCTExNTg4MTQ0NzYJRkZGRjAwCTAwMDAwMAlWZXJkYW5hCUFzc29ydGVk" name="config"> <center><input type="submit" value="Vote"> <input type="submit" value="View" name="view"></center></td></tr><tr><td align="right" bg colspan="2" style="color:#ffffff;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:-2;color:#000000;"><a href="http://www.pollhost.com/"><span style="color:#000099;">Free polls from Pollhost.com</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></form>GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1158434788452169952006-09-16T10:43:00.000-07:002006-09-16T12:26:28.506-07:00On Flawed LogicWhen Colin Powell questioned Bush 43's attempt to "re-interpret" Article 3 of the Geneva conventions, our "fearmongering" leader accused the vastly more experienced Powell, as well as Senators McCain, Warner and Hagel of "flawed logic". No, sir, "Flawed Logic" is expecting accurate information from people who've been tortured. Any information you're likely to get is useless. They'll say anything in order to stop the torment. We know the it's not "legal clarity" you're after, Mr. President. It's not because Geneva Conventions Article 3 is vaque. Perhaps you did not read it carefully. Following the phrase "Outrages upon personal dignity" that you sited, it specifies, "in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment;" For example, being stripped naked, photographed hooded with women's underwear, and especially being told that the blood being smeared on you is menstrual blood, would be considered "humiliating and degrading treatment". That "vague" article also says"...Prohibited: ... violence to life and person... mutilation, cruel treatment and torture..." This is where scalpel cuts, forced hypothermia, prolonged solitary confinement, unmuzzled dogs and waterboarding fall. Taking hostages is also prohibited. I don't know if extraordinary rendition qualifies. Governments who've had people taken from their streets by the CIA have charged the US with kidnapping, but that may legally differ with "taking hostages". Article 3, section 1 concludes by saying enemy combatants (even terror suspects) must be afforded "...all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indespensable by civilized peoples." This would include access to counsel, speedy public trial, ability to see evidence presented, etc.<br /><br />The truth is much more personal. It's not the "professionals" your protecting from charges of war crimes it's YOU and your co-conspirators, RUMSFELD, CHENEY, RICE, et al. You want congress and the courts to give you an international Get-out-of-jail-free card. Five years into the "War on Terror" you tell us time is running out? People have been held without charge in Gitmo for years, denied even the right to die, but as election day approaches and a congressional investigation appears imminent, NOW, time is running out. We'll, you're right about that, sir. Your last best hope to avoid accountability lies in those rubber-stamp Republicans whose days are numbered. You're desperately betting they'll declare that the torture you and your cronies ordered wasn't really torture; that the crimes you committed weren't crimes. I take that bet. I'll bet there are just enough politicians who are still Americans first, Republicans second. I have to believe that. I have to believe that the US Constitution, celebrating its 219th anniversay this Tuesday, will not be sacrificed and ultimately, WE THE PEOPLE will prevail.<br /><br />P.S. Profuse gratitude to Keith Olbermann for find the words and courage to call Bush on his politicization of 9/11 beginniing in 2001. <br /><br />Bush's Press Conference is available from the Newshour website <a href="http://">http://www.pbs.org/newshour/newshour_index.html</a> There are other outrages in Bush's most belligerant press conference since the last election.<br /><br /><br />Keith Olbermann <a href="http://">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/</a> Well said, sir. Thanks from a grateful nation.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1150214643593767002006-06-13T09:01:00.000-07:002006-06-21T10:21:02.856-07:00Our life is a Roller Coaster... I don't want to rideI love irony. Well, sometimes I hate it a little, but it makes me laugh. The only thing worse than diarrhea is constipation. I expected either one. After my first chemo treatment, I was on the toilet at 4:00 am in the dark laughing. Constipated diarrhea?!? Who knew? I tell you, if there’s a God, She’s got a wicked sense of humor. (God is a She in the bathroom,).<br /><br />Breast cancer + chemotherapy is a lot like pregnancy except that strangers don’t rub your belly. Otherwise, the two are remarkably similar. Strangers still tell you too many stories about people they knew and give you lame advice. Of course, there’s the obvious nausea and fatigue and a whole new relationship with the bathroom. For those 3 days after the treatments and sometimes even a day or two before, because of nerves, my morning routine included light throwing up before a few sips of coffee, a little more throwing up, get the kids to school, take something for the nausea, watch episodes of Monk starring Tony Shaloub. After losing my appetite for everything except Orangina and watermelon, I regained it only for sugar and chocolate. <br /><br />Sidebar: A note about watermelon, I say it is the BEST food for pregnancy and chemotherapy. High in vitamins A and C, iron, fiber and water, easy on the stomach. <a href="http://">http://www.almanac.com/food/watermelonripe.php</a> Now, back to the ‘blog.<br /><br />It was rare I ever felt too sick for my evening hot chocolate with whiskey. It goes nicely with cookies. That is another difference, at least with chemo you can drink if you feel like it, you can take something for the nausea, although it will definitely cause drowsiness – some remedies less than others. See www.CANORML.org, and I lost weight rather than gained it. (I’ve kept it off, too!) But the thing I feared the most beside leaving my family to an unknown future because I must go into a dark, frightening unknown place is having people feel sorry for me. That’s another thing. People sure react differently to the news that you have breast cancer than the news you’re having a baby. I was pleasantly surprised though. People generally hung back a little and will went along with whatever approach I wanted to take. I made it pretty clear, that all things considered I was pretty damned lucky. My probabilities we VERY good, I didn’t have to work, and I was INSURED!!! – more on that later. Remind me. The independence I had nurtured in my kids would help all of us get through it just fine. There was only one person at our school who continued to give me that aww, poor you, how are you poor thing treatment. She’s otherwise a very nice lady so I’m glad I didn’t punch her in the face. Just kidding, I’m not violent. But that leads to the final similarity, the hormonal roller coaster.<br /><br />Since my cancer was hormone receptor positive it feeds on estrogen. The chemo drugs sent my estrogen levels from normal 40-year old to a Newtonian zero (That means it’s so close to zero, it might as well be zero.) It’s the change in hormone levels that makes you crazy and the insanity is contagious. Pretty soon, I was making my whole family a little crazy, then everyone around me. I could handle the crying and even the mild depression, but the RAGE sometimes scared me. I was alone with my kids and I would yell at them for minor things in major ways. Sometimes I quarantined myself. I told them I was sorry I was so bitchy, but please try to stay out of my way. “If I fall asleep, don’t wake me unless you really have to. If you can’t wake me, call Dad, go to the neighbors or call 911. Is there something in the fridge you guys can make for dinner if Dad gets home late?” They did. Then they cleaned up after wards and my husband, Eric, rotated the dishes after his 12-14 hour day. <br /><br />It’s getting through these tough times together that makes them strong. You should see their report cards. Austin, my oldest is not only brilliant, he’s becoming a patient and popular leader and Dallas’s increasing self-discipline capitalizes on his amazing imagination and makes him feel more competent. They are the embodiment of hope, my (our) gift to the world. You can thank me later.<br /><br />Next: Breast Cancer and Marriage.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1150145972452430212006-06-12T13:32:00.000-07:002006-06-12T13:59:32.533-07:00Lost hair, kept BushThe goal of the next surgery was clean margins – that means they have to ensure they take out ALL the cancerous tissue, plus a little tiny bit more so there isn’t one little cancer cell left. Kind of like the way really fussy people cut the fat off of their steaks. Also, they took out the very first, sentinel, lymph node, plus the next 3 in line. <br /><br />After more waiting, I learned they’d found the teensiest little bit of cancer in the sentinel node, but the next 3 were okey-dokey as far as anyone could tell. This meant that I’d need chemo and radiation but would probably live happily ever after. But, yes, I’ll lose my hair. He said, oddly, that’s often the hardest part. Oddly, he’s right. I know it’s just hair and losing it is so much better than losing everything, but it’s just a whole new dimension in nakedness. <br /><br />I love hair. I’ve always loved hair (on heads). When I went to rock concerts, I liked to sit in the bleachers between bands watching all the heads of hair walk across the floor below. And I know we women tend to complain about our hair. I’d always wished for a little more wave, but I had recognized by my 30’s that I’d been follicly blessed always. I mean, my hair wasn’t too thin, or too curly. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a close as one could reasonably wish for.<br /><br />The stages of grief are: Disbelief/Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. <br /><br />Bargaining is not possible unless you have someone to bargain with. I’m agnostic. Sometimes life is so incredibly wonderful and nature so beautiful that I can’t imagine it’s the result of random coincidences. Other times, I look at the evidence for evolution, contemplate the possibilities of zillions of varied attempts over billions of years, and I look at the senseless cruelty and say this can’t be anything but accidental. I’m pretty sure there’s no hell. There’s no reason for it. To the extent it exists, it must be here on earth, so to have another after death would be redundant. Anyway, I just talk myself into circles, but while I was waiting to learn whether I’d live or die, I figured I could use a friend in high places. Even if He was imaginary, it wouldn’t do any harm, and I was sure it would probably do me some good personally and He might just be real and have a really elaborate plan that he’ll let us know about someday. <br /><br />In my talks with God, I didn’t ask why me. Someone has to get cancer, I reckon, so why NOT me. Even if I had to go at 40, the life I’d had was much better than expected, so I couldn’t complain. I did offer, however, that I thought the world was better off with me than without me. And in October of 2004, I told Him one more thing, “ I realize I don’t get to call the shots on this one, but if you take me and leave George W. Bush in the White House, I’m gonna be PISSED!”<br /><br />So I’m still here and W’s still there. If you believe in God, but not W, I guess you can blame me. Still, I won’t apologize. <br /> <br />Next: I feel sorry for anyone who pities me.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1149736109532336222006-06-07T20:04:00.000-07:002006-06-07T20:08:29.546-07:00A lump, a lump, a lump; it's in my breast...After 1 ½ years, I’m ready to talk about my experiences with breast cancer, what I learned about myself, what I really care about (i.e. who I am) and what happens when the chips are down and instincts become more primal. I’ll do it as a diary.<br /><br />CAUTION and DISCLAIMER: I’m no cancer expert, so please get your cancer facts from a RELIABLE source on this, not me.<br /> <br />When the little lump in my breast started to hurt, I decided it wasn’t going away on it’s own, so I’d better get it checked out. I seriously doubted it was cancer. Cancer doesn’t run in my family. My mother had said about our family medical history, “We don’t get cancer, we get heart disease.” So deep down, I was a little worried, but mostly sure I’d hear it was nothing to worry about.<br /><br />“I wouldn’t worry too much. Cancer doesn’t usually hurt,” the Nurse Practitioner told me in May. She gave me an 8-1/2 x 11 paper ordering a mammogram. After a fun-filled summer with my boys, Austin & Dallas, then 8 and 6 and my husband, Eric too, when he wasn’t work, work, working… Sidebar: No, we’re not from Texas, those were the only 2 names Eric and I could agree on. They’re actually named after the rock band, AC/DC. Their names are Austin Cesar and Dallas Cole. Anyway, just after my 40th birthday (on 9/11 incidentally) when the slightly painful lump began to “spider”, I had my first mammogram, but only after the machine’s operator promised me that my breasts would returned to their original shapes after she was done flattening each of them in new and uncomfortable ways. She was true to her word.<br /><br />I don’t remember how I learned the mammogram was “abnormal” . I mean, I knew that going in, but I remember the next step was a surgical biopsy. In other words, we we’re going to take the whole lump out, then find out what it was. I say "we" because I figure their job was to sedate me and remove the lump, my job was to get umpteen blood tests, show up for surgery on an empty stomach and recover. I was pleased to learn after the surgery that the lab report with the biopsy results was expected in by Tuesday of next week. <br /><br />I didn’t hear from anyone on Tuesday, so I called on Wednesday. No results yet. Same answer on Thursday and my surgeon left town Friday. I was no longer nonchalant. I was simultaneously planning for, and postponing panic. I was not willing to wait until Monday to learn whether or not my children would grow up without a mother. I called the lab about MY results which I paid for. They’d sent them to both my surgeon and regular doctor. My surgeon was gone by the time the paperwork arrived at his office, so my regular family doctor did her best to interpret the report. She’s not an oncologist, but her mother had cancer, so she’s familiar with biopsy reports and patients’ reactions to them.<br /><br />I understood her to say I had stage 3 breast cancer. Breast cancer goes from stage 1 (outpatient surgery and much worry) to stage 4 (terminal). My research said Stage 3 meant I had a 30% chance of surviving more than 10 years. I probably cried my way home, then I became my mother. I decided to act now, fall apart later. Quick assessment: Best case scenario: radiation and/or chemo therapy followed by a happy ending; Worst case scenario: radiation and/or chemo therapy, I die and my family falls apart. Distracted and overwhelmed, my husband’s business fails so he turns to alcohol then dies from a heart attack. My brilliant children turn from promising futures to lives of drugs, crime and misery. I didn’t know if or I’d die and had little control of that situation anyway, but I knew I had 2 boys and a husband I had to prepare to carry on without me. I developed a plan:<br /><br />1. Teach my sons to be as self-sufficient as possible given their age. Further, ensure they functioned as a SUPPORTIVE team. One of the best ways to deal with pain and loss is to help someone. They could do this both for each other and for their Dad.<br /><br />2. Lockdown our home routine. You know, dinnertime, bath time. I even created a list for the grocery store on computer. It included brand names so things would taste more like Mom made. The kids could print the list and just check off what was needed. They already knew how to make rice, noodles and toast; they could heat chicken nuggets, hot dogs and raviolis.<br />Routine is very comforting, especially when everything else feels out of control. As I write, I realize I did it as much for myself as them. <br /><br />3. Teach my husband that he can not rely too much on our oldest, Austin, to carry the additional responsibility. This is too much weight for Austin and effectively denies Dallas the chance to learn, contribute and feel capable. In the extreme, Dallas would feel like a burden and Austin would feel burdened. Toss in sibling rivalry, adolescence and puberty… it don’t look don’t. If he were, as he’s been tempted to do, make the older child responsible for the younger one, it gets worse. Typically, the older child often makes unreasonable demands and bad decisions (because they’re children) which they can only enforce through intimidation and force. It’s just wrong on many levels and it doesn’t work. I feared Eric would be so busy and overworked as a single parent, he’d hand too much to Austin because it’s easier. I was the oldest daughter of a single mom whereas my husband was the youngest son of a single parent, so I understand some things he doesn’t. <br /><br />Eric and I met with my surgeon Monday. He listened patiently and compassionately while I gave several pieces of my mind. He gave me some good news and some bad news. The good news, it was a SIZE 3, not a STAGE 3. Size 3 on a scale that runs from 0 cm to 10 cm is very encouraging. The bad news, I still needed another surgery. It may have spread to my lymph system in which case it would be stage 3 cancer. In the week before the next surgery, I began to implement my plan. <br /><br />Next: How an agnostic confronts God.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1143741907220029322006-03-30T09:42:00.000-08:002006-03-30T10:13:35.213-08:00Tax Day Action - appeal to conservativesHere's a great idea some clever person had. We'll be outside the post office on Tax Day, Monday 4/17 with flyers on cardstock that say something like:<br /><br />So far, the Iraq war has cost US Taxpayers 315.8 billion dollars.<br /><br />That’s approximately $2,992 from your family,<br /><br />Or $1,122 per person, or<br /><br />$90,100,000 for the City of Napa.<br /><br />Before it’s over, it’s expected to cost 1 or 2 Trillion dollars. That’s around $15,000 to your family or nearly half a billion to our town.<br /><br />Had enough? Mail the postcard below to your Congressman. <br /><br /><br />The bottom half of the cardstock flyer is a postcard preaddressed to our local congressman, Mike Thompson, supporting his Concurrent Resolution 348<strong>*</strong>. REMEMBER to leave clear space for a return address. Since the resolution is very brief, I included it on the half page postcard along with a little rectangle around "39c" for the stamp. I even had lines for add'l comments. The whole thing is done on a regular WORD processing program.<br /><br />A wheelie papercutter with a perforating blade is available for $30 at office supply stores, so you can make your own professional-looking detachable postcards.<br /><br />Ultimately, politics is personal I've heard. When strangers suffer or die in strange places it just doesn't hit most folks where they live, so to speak. By talking a "dollars and sense" approach, you appeal to a larger audience.<br /><br />National Priorities Project has costs by city for most U.S. cities. <a href="http://">www.NationalPriorities.org</a>. “Local costs of War". E-mail GoMommyGo@yahoo.com if you need more info. <br /><br /><strong>*</strong>I support Concurrent Resolution 348 which says:<br />“…the United States should not maintain a permanent military presence or military bases in Iraq; <br />2)the United States should not attempt to control the flow of Iraqi oil; and <br />3)United States Armed Forces should be re-deployed from Iraq as soon as practicable after the completion of Iraq’s constitution making process or September 30, 2006, whichever comes first.”GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1143481356667715082006-03-27T09:40:00.000-08:002006-03-27T10:17:09.793-08:00Operation Buzz Creation -- Articles of ImpeachmentWould you buy a book called, "Articles of Impeachment Against George W. Bush" by the Center for Constitutional Rights for $9.95? If the bookstores get several calls, they'll not only stock the book, they might even display it in the window. Won't that create a little buzz?<br /><br />Call your favorite local bookstore right now -- as soon as you finish reading this -- and if they don't have it in stock, ask them to order it for you. This is the perfect April Fools gift for that certain someone who is still loyal to the letter (W).<br /><br />$10 still too much? CCR will send a copy to your Rep for only $5.00. http://www.ccr-ny.org/... Maybe you can borrow it when they're finished.<br /><br />I just ordered 3 copies from each of 3 different local booksellers.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1143245644961344412006-03-24T16:02:00.000-08:002006-03-24T16:14:04.973-08:00<blockquote>Poll: Nearly half of Americans favor censure<br />But pollster Dick Bennett said Democratic leaders won't publicly back it until at least 60 percent of Americans support it.<br />By Scott Shepard<br />WASHINGTON BUREAU<br />Friday, March 17, 2006<br /><br />WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold's effort to censure President Bush has sent his fellow Democrats scurrying for political safety, but a poll released Thursday suggests nearly half of Americans favor such a move.<br /><br />A poll by the nonpartisan American Research Group found that 46 percent of Americans support censuring Bush for authorizing wiretaps of Americans without obtaining court orders, as part of the administration's effort to fight terrorism.<br /><br />But the pollster, Dick Bennett, said he does not expect the Democratic leadership to come out of the shadows until at least 60 percent of Americans support a censure.<br /><br />Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, "the basic problem of the Democratic leadership has been their lack of political courage," Bennett said.<br /><br />Other analysts said the Democrats are simply following one of the basics of political strategy: Stay out of the way as your opponents' problems mount.<br /><br />"Right now, Democrats can do well by letting Republicans drown in their policy problems," said Darrell West, a Brown University professor and developer of the Web site, InsidePolitics.org. "However, by this fall, when voters tune into the campaign, the Democratic Party needs to show citizens . . . a positive vision for the future."<br /><br />...Democrats appear to be making some progress... to end a dozen years of nearly uninterrupted Republican rule of Capitol Hill.<br /><br />An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll released Thursday showed 50 percent of Americans prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress, compared with 37 percent who want it to remain under the control of Republicans. "This sends shivers down the spine of Republicans," NBC Washington Bureau Chief and "Meet The Press" moderator Tim Russert said on the "Today" show.</blockquote><br /><br />If I recall accurately Keith Olbermann's comment on the same poll, he said he'd NEVER seen numbers like that.<br /><br />The article from <a href="http://">www.Truthout.org</a> adds that while 42 percent of INDEPENDENTS support censure, 47% support impeachment. <br /><br /><blockquote>"Independents are moving beyond Bush, which, in many ways, is the worst thing that can happen to a president," Bennett said. ..."he is becoming irrelevant to their lives," the American Research Group pollster added.</blockquote><br /><br />Speaking of numbers, how much longer will corporate media heads be able to characterize roughly half the population as fringe?GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1142719925082601472006-03-18T14:08:00.000-08:002006-03-18T14:12:05.996-08:00Whether we stay the course or chart a new one, it's no picnic in the Middle East. If you'd like to support our servicemen & women in harm's way, you can go to: <br /> <br />http://www.anysoldier.com/ There's a LOT of info on the site, so let me offer some shortcuts.<br /> <br />If you want to help someone in a particular branch of the service you can follow the links to AnyMarine, AnyAirman, AnySailor, etc., otherwise go to "Where to Send". You'll see on the left, names arranged by most recent requests. Click on the names, and they'll let you know what they'd like. The most popular items are just notes of support, cards, postcards, etc. If you want to invest more, DVD's, candy and old Beanie Babies to give to the local kids -- I sent tennis balls because they're light. Some want reading material or beauty supplies (mostly the female soldiers). The soldier I "adopted" in a DFac "near the sand" in Afghanistan likes dried spices because he's always using up all the garlic. If you send something that weighs more than 16 oz., you'll need to fill out the form at the post office. You can download it from the site, to save time. The form just asks for name, address, what it is, value, weight... <br /> <br />They also have links to groups that, for a fee, will put together a care package for you, which is a real time-saver.<br /> <br /> <br />That's pretty much it. <strong>Do</strong> follow instructions, No porn, no pork, nothing flammable or likely to melt above 100 degrees. Be sure anything that could conceivably break is inside <strong>2</strong> ziploc bags. <br /> <br />One final word of warning. The site is addictive. Read this bit from Marine, Tyler Weiser and you'll understand what I'm talking about: <br /> <br /><blockquote>10 Nov 2005:<br />i just wanna start out saying thank you for even starting this. over 50% of my marines are under the age of 21 and are going to be serving a year in iraq. for some people it was hard leaving someone at home but for other's like myself it wasnt bad because i dont have a girl to worry about in the states. the whole reason i am doing this is because alot of our guys are constantly going outside the wire in combat and it is good knowing that people care. i am almost 21, single and cant wait to get home. our unit is from camp lejeune n.c. all of us our in the intel field. we are all constantly going out to support the battalions below us. this is my first time doing this so i feel a little weird asking for things. i just really want somoene to write too. but if you wanna send something little bags of candy is always good. when we go out, if there is some children we give them some candy because for majority of them dont get to have candy. that all about winning the hearts and minds of the war. thank you again and feel free to write. <br />lcpl tyler weiser </blockquote>GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20886565.post-1142715604430474292006-03-18T12:57:00.000-08:002006-03-18T13:01:04.693-08:00That Country Joe & the Fish Song - 2006 RemixAnd it’s one, two three; what’re we fightin’ for?<br />Doesn’t anybody give a damn?<br />Is our next stop Iran?<br /><br />And it’s five, six, seven; not another scandal-gate?!<br />The world just can’t wait<br />Until two thousand eight.<br /><br />And it’s one, two three; what’re they dyin' for?<br />Doesn’t anybody give a damn?<br />Is our next stop Iran?<br /><br />And it’s five, six, seven; not another scandal-gate?!<br />The world just can’t wait<br />Until two thousand eight.GoMommyGohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03094601623218828003noreply@blogger.com0