Clearly Nebulous

Farewell 2008

My husband and I used to get frustrated with my oldest child on many an occasion when she was younger. She had this annoying habit of defining her entire day by the last bad thing that happened in the course of events.

So if we spent a really fun day at the zoo, had pizza for dinner and ice cream for dessert, and then topped it off watching a great movie -- what she would remember was how she was scolded just before bedtime for not doing her chores properly. All the positive aspects of the day would fly from her memory, and she would rattle of a laundry list of all the minor nuisances of the day and call it a disaster.

Thankfully she has outgrown that, and I have tried to teach her sisters not to take that kind of attitude, but more importantly I have tried to take the lesson to heart myself.

Looking back on this year, it would be easy to write it off as a dismal failure. From the silly -- the Cubs not making it to the World Series again -- to the personal -- a very regrettable instance during an otherwise incredible vacation -- to the serious (in my book anyway) -- the result of the election. Having the last episode so late in the year has made it a challenge not to tell 2008 "Good riddance!"

But that would be ungracious.

I never take for granted that my family, most importantly all my children, are in great health, and live a very blessed life. It could so easily be otherwise, especially since we up the odds by our sheer numbers! But seriously, I could kick myself for ever feeling grouchy or complaining about the trivial.

So I will not declare 2008 a disappointment. Rather I shall thank everyone I know, and the good Lord Himself, for being a part of my life, and for all the joy they bring.

I wish you all a very, very happy new year and all the best for 2009.

Onward!

Blago the Blaggard

Alright, alright -- I finally had to weigh in on this one, being from Chicago and all...

I've been sitting back and shaking my head, knowing that I had this bozo pegged from the start. I literally have never understood how this jamoke was chosen to run for the office of governor, having never heard of the guy prior to that election.

All I remember was that the next guy in line from the Republican party, Jim Ryan, should not have waited his turn. But he was a man who played by the rules and he let George Ryan have his day. Well, we all know what happened with that sonofabum, and the Democratic party prevailed with a "throw the bums out" attitude from the electorate.

So instead of a decent servant of the people (ok, who did have one spot on his record which did not preclude him in my book) this clownie got in -- passed off as some kind of "aw, shucks" Richie Cunningham of the People.

On election night, Blago said: “Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, Illinois has voted for change.” No more corruption. Suuuuuuuuuure!

Well, he sure did bring change -- even before all this commotion, a top pollster declared him the least popular governor in the country. The only surprise has been that it took this long for the guy's true colors to be revealed.

What I think is most notable about this situation is the hubris, how he is defiantly denying that he did anything wrong and refusing to step down. Welcome to the post-Bill Clinton, post-Marion Barry and yes post-Obama world where you can do anything -- or nothing at all -- and expect to pay no consequences.

Why do I throw in BO? Because of what he did and denied and got away with. Obviously, the biggest chunk that sticks in my craw is his denial of his vote against the Infant ("Born-Alive") Protection Act in which he chose a course of action tantamount to infanticide over giving the most helpless of infants a chance. Why? Because it would place a "burden" on the mother.

He denied his stance, called those who revealed it "liars," and the mainstream press backed him up. The congressional record surfaced and what did Obama and the press say? Nothing. Because they knew that most folks had heard his first answer and that's all they needed to hear. No need to endanger any bad reaction by reawakening them with the truth.

So Blago follows a similar path and goes about his business, pretending that everything is ok, thinking he can just continue with his radical agenda and everyone will forget all that nonsense and all will be well.

He's forgotten one thing. His missteps have run the risk of besmirching the beatific narrative of The Great Obama Story. And that just will not stand!

So you can keep trying, Blaggard, but ultimately you just ain't going to pull it off. The audacity of even hoping you could!

Suffer the (Female) Children

Pro-abortion forces that are so transfixed on preserving the status quo that they overlook statutory rape in our own country might want to avert their hyper-focus to help combat a truly inhumane custom practiced in other nations that was shown in disturbing photos in the Washington Post today.

The tragedy of female genital mutilation (FGM) was captured in horrifying pictures that should be burned into the brain of anyone who wants to protect women worldwide from oppressive practices and rituals based in ignorance and male domination.

Often forgotten is that the battles fought in Afghanistan and Iraq have led to an expanding emancipation of women, and the fight must continue against a pending backlash. Ancient incomprehensible "traditions" -- based on false interpretations by certain Muslim clerics and perpetuated merely because "that's how it's always been" -- are leaving young women scarred for life both physically and mentally.

Here is a link to the story and the unforgettable photos of a 7-year-old girl before, during, and after she is tricked into entering the home of a practitioner of this barbaric act. She thinks she is going to a party, but instead is robbed of her innocence. Image number 7 will haunt you.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/28/AR2008122802005.html?nav=hcmodule

Any pro-life feminist will tell you that FGM, pornography, "honor killings," and abortion are just some of the ways that patriarchal societies try to oppress women and their life-giving abilities in order to dominate and control.

If NOW and NARAL and their ilk spent half as much time combatting this unspeakable act as they do trying to preserve other unspeakable acts (like partial-birth abortion), they might help put an end to the physical and mental suffering of these helpless young women.

 

Sweeeet Caroliiiine, bah, bah, baaaaaaaaaah

IIIII've been incliiiiined... to bristle at the mention of Caroline Kennedy's quest to be appointed to the Senate. I have had mixed feelings, and was reserving judgement.

I remember thinking that after her brother, John, Jr., spoke at the 1988 DNC that he could waltz into whatever political position he wanted, with all that charm and charisma -- the presidency looked iffy to me then, but seeing how Obama got in this time, it really wouldn't have been out of the question. When he died, the thought actually crossed my mind that "Well, I guess this means Caroline will have to take up the mantle."

But it seemed that she shunned the world of politics, and was content to follow in her mother's footsteps. Now this. As I said, mixed feelings. On one hand I love the Kennedy family story -- not as blindly as most, knowing more than a little about the less flattering aspects -- and I don't just mean the obvious scandals. But the idea of expecting great public service from your children is worth noting.

My biggest problem is obviously how this Irish Catholic family has for the most part turned its back on the pro-life cause, aside from Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Yes, Maria's mom -- Arnold's m-i-l -- is a big supporter of Feminists for Life and the SBA List.

(When I started this post I was under the belief that the matriarch Rose was silently appalled at the rest of her clan's abortion advocacy -- but she is credited on many websites as the person who said "If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament." I think this may be apochryphal, but that's a mystery for another day...)

So political ideology aside, I wasn't sure exactly what Caroline has done to show she is worthy of the position. I assumed that she had extensive experience in charitable works. But then I heard that she has only spent a couple hours a day, a few days a week in that pursuit. Just what does she do the rest of the week?

Not voting, was the next I hear. But was it just primaries we're talking about? Or was the outcome so clear, and she was up to her eyeballs in charity work that she couldn't find the time... I imagine if she continues this quest, we'll find out.

But one thing she has made clear is that if she is not appointed, she will not run for the office in 2010. In other words, unless this is handed to her, she will not go through the customary meat grinder to make her way there.

So, yes, the sense of entitlement issue arises. And, yes, that rubs me the wrong way. But here's what bothers me more about Caroline shunning the usual political process:

It will perpetuate the myth that women are just not up to entering the dirty world of politics. It's what suppressed women's suffrage a century ago, and it's what suppresses the number of women in political positions today.

Bestow this honor upon Caroline, and women across the country will continue to think that you have to have connections and pedigree to be a part of the process.

All the good that the story of Sarah Palin's rise from the PTA, to the city council, to mayor, and eventually to governor that women were inspired by this past fall -- will fade if we return to politics as usual.

Just say, no, Gov. Paterson.

Nebulous Nomenclature

I think part of the reason I had so much trouble coming up with a new name for this blog was because I didn't want to choose anything that was too identifiable with any single particular group.

Though I would say I feel most strongly about the right to life, and pro-life feminism, I wanted this blog to be about a lot more than that. And though my political leanings -- and current favorite political figure -- lean to the right, some of my stances on issues lean more to the left.

I found a group that I can get behind in many respects -- "Crunchy Cons" are conservatives who are "greener" than most on the right, but are by no means jumping on the Al Gore we-must-spend-trillions-to-fight-global-warming bandwagon. They don't view mankind as the root of all the troubles that the earth finds itself in, but think that recycling and driving a Prius just might help a little.

But still, there are more than a few ways that we part company -- I highly doubt there is any group out there that would be an exact fit for me. And I have no problem with that. I think that too many people in this country toe a party line just to give the appearance of a united front. No thought involved, no dissension allowed.

The women (and men) over at Team Sarah are having their own growing pains as highly religious Christian conservatives are finding themselves in new territory, sharing a common cause with those who are Muslim, or for gun control, or not as staunch on the rights of the pre-born.

Being in strange company is not new for me -- but having to choose my words when I go to write these posts (without big long explanatory footnotes) has been an unexpected challenge. In an effort to curb my verbosity I find myself trying to write in a shorthand that I think could easily put off some people.

Describing Obama followers as Kool-aid drinkers is an obvious example of quick nomenclature that most conservatives get, but friends who voted for BO might not appreciate. When describing those with an opposing view on many topics, I have used "the left" and "liberals" -- groups I would sometimes include myself in, given the issue. So it doesn't seem exactly right to spit out those labels when I'm taking them to task regarding a single specific stance.

So between a simple lack of options (whch also applies to the mundane -- there is no good female equivalent for "guys" and there are not many other good synonyms for "people" other than "folks" which can get annoying) and not wanting to offend, and not wanting to put anyone -- myself included -- into any boxes... Well, let's just say I'm probably going to point to that aptly chosen word "nebulous" time and again.

I just hope that most of you out there -- especially any friends and family -- will consider that appellation not cold and calculated, but genuinely warm and fuzzy.

A Fuzzy Sweater under every Holiday Tree

...for all your liberal friends this year -- but of course, it has to be all natural fibers-- and wait, is wool allowed, or is that considered animal slave labor? I always forget all the rules on that...

Anyway, it will be the perfect gift for your favorite lefty who is sensing a chill in the air these days. Oh, the frosty feeling from the selection of Rick Warren for the inaugural invocation, and the bone chilling from the nearly eleventh-hour conscience protection regulations put out by Health and Human Services.

As for Warren, isn't it funny how the left demands inclusion, and trumpeted BO's plans to work with everyone -- until it's someone they disagree with? Now it's a slap on the face to include someone who deviates on the definition of marriage. Forget that it's highly unlikely to come up in the invocation...

But the religious right is almost as wary, thinking Warren shouldn't give the invocation for a president who is so staunchly pro-abortion to the point of infanticide. It will seem as if he's giving BO a pass, and somehow endorsing his extreme views as acceptable.

I'm reserving judgement. I'll wait to hear what Pastor Warren says on January 20. Will he be reined in, and therefore appear as if he's giving a stamp of approval? I sure hope not.

What I expect to hear is holding BO's feet to the fire, that he must keep his promise to reduce the tragedy of abortion in our nation. And I don't mean with any namby-pamby vagueness like "we must come together to find common ground."

I want to hear a bit of fire and brimstone along the lines of "We must bring back personal responsibility and cultivate a respect for life, finding true solutions that will help all women and children in crisis so that they will not turn to the desperate act of abortion."

Time will tell if Pastor Warren will set the bar for all those pro-lifers who put their faith in The One.

The pro-abortion crowd is already setting the stage for extreme measures. In addition to all the repeals on restrictions and freeing of funds for abortion that are already being demanded, now there are promises to immediately reverse the conscience protection regulations put out by HHS this week.

Forget that Catholic hospitals -- which often provide much-needed low-cost services in low-income neighborhoods -- would rather close their doors than be forced to offer services they object to. The left feels it is important to mandate that people are not allowed to follow their consciences.

So I guess that means that if a "treatment" to "cure" homosexuality were to be found, that all liberal-minded health care workers would be compelled to provide that service? Methinks not.

Time for all lefties to realize that the path to tolerance and inclusion is not a one-way street.

Which Obama will pro-life advocates get?

More than a few people I know who are pro-life voted for Obama. They are not weakly pro-life by any means. They include people who have marched in Washington. One was a man of the cloth.

But they gave up on the Republican party, saying they made no progress on the life issue, forgetting that there is little you can do without the majority of justices on the court. Yes, some appointees by Republican presidents have disappointed, but we were so close. Just one more...

I fear now that the eldest liberal justices who were hanging on by a thread will finally let go and be replaced by justices who look at least 25 years old, the minimum -- although none will have to prove their age, natch, based on the precedent BO has set -- and we will have at least 50 more years of abortion on demand.

My friends and so many others like them believed Obama's promises. They ignored -- or were unaware of -- his record, and bought the whole "common ground" spiel. Well, no use beating them up about it.

What matters now is determining, which Obama will they get? The one they "hoped" for or the one we warned them about? The one who talked about personal responsibility and reducing the number of abortions or the one who referred to having a baby as a punishment and promised his first act in office would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act?

It's not looking good based on some of his early choices for his staff, including an EMILY’s List executive director and a former NARAL legal director. Planned Parenthood's president was also named as an advisor to the transition team.

The Obama-Biden Transition Project posted a report compiled by over 50 abortion advocacy groups entitled “Advancing Reproductive Rights and Health in a New Administration,” which calls for major policy reversals regarding abortion including:

• Committing one billion dollars (yes, "billion" with a "b") in taxpayer funds for international abortion groups like International Planned Parenthood Federation

• Increasing taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide by 133%, up from $300 million to $700 million

• Repealing every budgetary restriction on abortion funding, including the long-standing Hyde Amendment, which prohibits the use of federal taxpayer funds for abortion through the Medicaid and Medicare programs

• Expanding taxpayer funding for abortions through the Peace Corps, on military bases, and in federal prisons

And that universal health care that Obama promised that also pulled pro-lifers to his side? It will include abortion coverage -- for any reason at any stage of gestation. Yes, your tax dollars will perform partial birth abortions.

Or will they?

What we all need to remember, and what we need to remind those pro-lifers we know who may have voted for Obama -- we don't just have to sit back and "hope" for the best. We all -- whether we voted for him or not -- can hold him accountable to that promise of fewer abortions. We don't have to just sit back and watch as pro-abortion groups make up their Christmas lists and watch helplessly as Santa Obama fills their stockings.

We know that the above policies will lead to more abortions not fewer. And we need to let Mr. Obama know that we will not tolerate it.

We must take a stand and not back down. We the majority -- as most Americans are in favor of the sensible restrictions they seek to strike down, and oppose the federal funding that they seek to procure -- must let our leader know.

You can join the Susan B. Anthony List and sign the petition at  http://www.sba-list.org/abortionbailout or contact your congressmen/women at https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Which Obama will pro-lifers get? The one that we DEMAND.

Shoeless Joe Iraqi

So the guy is getting cheers from the left.

Will they admit that the guy is lucky it was GWB not Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti who had the decision of whether or not to shrug it off? 

But Bush took it all in stride and made a joke, they would argue, and the over 200 lawyers who have rushed to Joe's defense -- including Americans -- will prove the guy was probably under duress. That's not the point.

Be it an ultimately harmless gesture that W. reduced to mockery, it nonetheless was a slap in the face of the leader of the free world. Yeah, you know, the guy who's still in charge of the country you should get down on your knees and thank the good Lord you live in even if it's just so you can make fun of the guy all you want without getting burned from head to toe with cigarettes while your family wonders if they'll ever see you again.

Just imagine if that happened to Obama, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, if I say that, all the smiles on their kool-aid mustachioed faces will fade, right? Then they'll get it -- that an attack like that on our president -- whoever that may be -- can not stand.

We'll see who's laughing when -- not if -- it happens to Obama. There are foreign fanatics in this world who won't care that Obama is different. They won't care if France and Germany like us better. They won't care how soon we pull out of Iraq, how soon we sit down with North Korea, or what policy changes Obama makes.

If they had the chance, they would slit the poor man's throat just because they hate what we value. And the left emboldens those who would commit such acts with every joke they make at the expense of our great nation.

Even if it is just a shoe that Obama faces someday -- it won't be me who laughs. And I hope it won't be you... or anyone else. Someone's gotta show the left how to respect the office, how to have a little class. Let's be ready to show 'em how it's done.

Cuz they're all clearly clueless.

Definitely NOT under my tree this year...

...will you find the Historic Victory Commemorative Plate. But exactly whose trees will they be under?

"Stand by to find out how to..." laugh yourself silly at www.victoryplate.com

Ah yes, "commemorating the day the world changed FOREVER." I'll skip the too obvious jab at the image on the plate -- described as having a "confident smile and kind eyes." I'll just say -- is that really the best this company could come up with?

But at least the plate is of the "highest quality and integrity" -- just like the President-elect himself!

Can't say the same about The American Historic Society which apparently belongs to National Consumer Marketing. AHS got themselves in trouble with the Better Business Bureau due to poor customer service (over-charging or charging for items not ordered) and shut down their Website for a time.

But they came back in November to meet the "unprecendented demand" so that "YES YOU CAN own a piece of history!"

I was amazed at the low, low price of only $19.95 -- I bought the first in a series of Beatle collectable plates many years ago -- and only bought the first one -- and it was at least $30. Guess this historic moment ain't as big as the Beatles on Ed Sullivan...

So who does the AHS think is going to buy this? Apparently wine-sipping white folks with really nice furniture. I kept waiting to see someone with a slightly darker complexion, but to no avail. Just the same white guy sitting at his desk and feeling really great about that plate!

I wonder where his Harold Washington and Carol Mosely-Braun plates are?

 

p.s. What will be under my tree? The gorgeous official White House ornament. Order yours here: www.whitehousechristmasornament.com though orders will be filled after Christmas at this point...

 

                                                                

Clearly Nebulous

Alright, so I've only posted a few times since the election. At first I didn't have the heart, and then once you fall out of the habit... but of course I still have very strong opinions about what's going on, and I knew I had to get back in the saddle.

Time to cowgirl up!

But I also felt I just had to change the name of the blog. The experience from the election season has left me with absolutely NO desire to watch Oprah or The View. I couldn't stomach it -- I'm just not feeling the "love."

So after wracking my brain for a new name -- (you would not believe how I struggled with this -- so many of the good ideas are already taken, and so often by some stupid tech company!) -- this is the unofficial re-launch of the site. I'll make more of a brou-haha in the new year...

So "clearly nebulous" aptly describes my life, my thought processes, and my writing skills these days. But what the heck, I was a science major and I've been out of the working world raising 7 kids for the past 21 years or so! I think it's ok to be a little rough around the edges.

Right now my life may be more than a bit out of focus, but I like to believe that slowly but surely things are taking shape for me. The hope is that this blog will help me -- and maybe help a few others -- find a little lucidity.