White Discussion

The other day I watched an episode of Van Jones’ The Messy Truth, and an observation by one of the participants struck me very hard. He sat down for a discussion with four white women, in Gettysburg Pennsylvania, who are friends, but voting for different candidates. Two women were Trump voters, and the other two were not.
During the discussion one woman said she would never vote for a Clinton. Van immediately asked her why. Before I go there. I want to mention that during the conversation these women discussed how at one time they, along with the rest of their community, got together to oust a bigoted school board president. They didn’t want a bigot in a position of authority over their schools, and their kids. And so they did what they believed was right, and had him removed. This begs the question: If you know that type of person is wrong for your schools, why would you think they are right to lead the nation? 

One woman said she hoped Trump wasn’t really like how he's talked. She hopes, she said, that deep down, that’s not really who he is. Yeah, no. That’s exactly who he is, and that reason isn’t good enough to justify the double standard. The other Trump supporter echoed this, but cemented her position by stating that she’d never vote for a Clinton, at which point Van asked why. 

Her response: “I was in the military.” She then proceeded to state that it was during the time of Bill Clinton’s presidency, under which military benefits were cut and she lost her dental coverage. Just let that sink in. She’d never vote for a Clinton, because her dental benefits were cut. She’s not a bigot. She’s not a racist, but she’d vote for a bigoted, racist man who has no respect for women, or the military, because under Bill Clinton’s presidency she lost her dental benefits.

Ain't That America?

Within the pedestal upon which our Lady Liberty stands, the following impassioned missive is engraved:

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles.  From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command 
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips.  "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, The New Colossus tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

~Emma Lazarus



Happy Birthday tooo youuuu!

And is that not, what in our ideology, we esteem America to be. But is it thus in fact? I like to think so. I like to believe that on this day especially, that we are not so far from what we purport to espouse, to be that beacon of hope for those who would risk their lives for a chance at a better one. Here in the United States of America, we are not a perfect union, but we are trying. Every day there are those among us who struggle and fight to make it so. And while we might disagree on how to get there, or even what that perfect union actually is, we all agree that the opportunities we are afforded as Americans are among our nations greatest treasures. Our collective future is in our own hands and it is up to us to forge the best possible one. Maybe one day we'll get it right. I certainly hope we will because while I don't idolize my country, I do love it. And like all those things and people we love, I always only want the best for it, and for everyone. Happy Birthday USA, with Liberty and Justice, for ALL!

This is why we fight...

If you didn’t already know The NHL Stanley Cup Finals are under way. We are two games in and so far this series has delivered on its expectations, with both games requiring extra periods to determine a winner  (2 ½  in game 1 and 1 in game 2). In addition to the drama of sudden death overtime the series is tied, with Chicago taking game 1 and the Bruins making the Blackhawks remember what adversity is like in game 2. 




Because It's The Cup

This Cup Final is special for more than one reason; not the least of which is the fact that it’s being played by two Original Six teams, the Western Conference Chicago Blackhawks and the Eastern Conference Boston Bruins. The last time two Original Six teams faced off for Lord Stanley’s Cup was 34 years ago in 1979. Hockey fans love to make a big deal over Original Six matchups, especially if our team is involved, so the nostalgia aspect of this series is cranked way up.  Also of interest is the fact that the Blackhawks finished the season with the best record in the league, winning 36 out of 48 games.  Alternatively, Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, who was a driving force behind the lockout that robbed us of 34 regular season games, stands an annoyingly good chance of winning his second championship in 2 years. Each of the teams are recent Cup Champions with Boston claiming the title in 2011 and Chicago, one year prior.

Hey Mr. Marl-Bo-ro Man...

When my dear departed friend Barbara quit smoking several years ago she used to say to me sometimes, "I want a cigarette so bad I could rip the lips off a kitten", and I'd laugh at her because WTF? That's crazy talk Barbara! Think of your own cats ma'am! LOL But seriously, it was especially funny because Barbara was a total animal lover and all around wonderful person who would never harm another living thing, and there she'd go talking about disfiguring a baby cat for want of nicotine. Addiction is hell.



Just to give you a little backstory here, I've been prone to bronchitis for a while now and generally come down with it a least once a year. Over the last couple of years however, it's become more frequent and for a while I was afraid I might have some sort of autoimmune lung issue. I might also be a legitimate hypochondriac too, but that's another story.

He's a cold hearted snake! Not Really.

So if you didn't know, I'm fascinated with reptiles; snakes, iguanas, lizards, whatever. I've loved lizards, Carolina Anoles in particular, since I was a child. They are adorable and bright green and my older brother and I would catch them in the summers and put them in jars with grass and punch holes in the lids, for proper ventilation. We would never really keep them though. They were much too fun to contain. I loved holding them, however briefly, as they are very quick and not so much for being handled. I loved the feel of their little feet sticking to my skin and how they felt cool to the touch and rough and squishy and delicate all at once. Did I mention they are bright green and cute as hell? I mean look at that face. How could you resist it?





Kiss my face! No? Well, you'll be back.

Well, I never could. I guess it's probably due in part to my love for these little guys (and dinosaurs! We can't forget the dinos!) that I've always been interested in reptiles. As such, it was no surprise that while I was on my way out of the PETCO yesterday, Fresh Step Extreme cat litter in my basket, my new phone resting obviously at the mouth of my purse, that I was captivated by a terrarium full of baby bearded dragons. Hold UP! Did someone say Dragons?