My Favorite on "Big Love"

Dooce is rather interesting today. If any of you have been watching Big Love on HBO (I wrote about it a while back, here), then you'll find the perspective of a former Mormon interesting. I did. It's an interesting show, but I'm still not sure if I like it or not. Dooce's analysis helped put it into perspective - how do you watch something - enjoy something - you find morally disturbing?

According to a joint report issued by the Utah and Arizona Attorney General's Offices, July 2005, "[a]pproximately 20,000 to 40,000 or more people currently practice polygamy in the United States." The Mormon Church officially banned the practice of polygamy in 1890.

I'm still wondering where Nicki gets her outfits. Pilgrims R' Us?

Tuesday, Tuesday.

I had a lovely Tuesday. Upon hearing word of the imminent totaling of my car, I began to examine my options. What's next? Having had Taurus upon Taurus upon Sable - I am looking for something new -- and most importantly, not beige. (Every car I have had has been some form of beige. My father might try to convince me that the cars were champagne or even gold - but in my opinion, they were all beige).

I'm looking for an SUV. But not a gas-guzzler... I wouldn't feel right with a war based on oil revenues, driving around in something that gets 12 miles to the gallon. Instead, I started off with the compact SUVs: the Escape, the Sportage, the Highlander, the Element. I am (I think) in love with the Saturn Vue.

It's compact, gets rather good gas mileage, isn't too much like a car or an SUV. It sits up off the ground, which I like - and the Saturn salespeople were the nicest I have dealt with yet. (I made the rounds today - six dealerships in four hours, seven test rides). So, I think it might be time to consider getting a newer car. Egads. This is huge. My dad isn't even weighing in on the decision. I told him tonight about the Vue and he said, "That's nice."

Oh Andy!

The man who tipped the President about Chicken Finger Wednesday at the University of South Carolina (for Bush's commencement address at Carolina in 2003) has resigned.

Andrew Card, Chief of Staff, has decided to leave the struggling White House. The Washington Post reports that Republicans have been calling for new aides and fresh ideas - amid a White House that has stayed the course for the past six years.

Budget Director Josh Bolten will take Andy's place. Like rats leaving a sinking ship...

On being Twenty-Five...

Yes, being able to rent a car is a perk. Wa. Hoo.

But, last night I tried to apply to TLC's What Not To Wear and the application rejected me - I wasn't old enough. Now, I'm pretty sure bad taste doesn't discriminate based on age. As a matter of fact, I'm sure of it.

I really wanted to be on the program - they had a special category - for working folks. Seeing as how I've gone from a more formal environment to a casual one, I could use a few tips. Who couldn't use some instruction and the hefty five grand to make a work clothes - you know - better!

Alas, I will have to live without the makeover. Sigh. Something to look forward to? To turning twenty-six?

Horrible Problem, Possible Solution?

As our legislators face this year's budget, I wonder: will South Carolinians get the care they need. I've been talking about healthcare - about the 850,000 South Carolininans without basic coverage. But what about the folks with coverage, with insurance that still can't get the care they need?

This morning in The Greenville News, Dr. Ed Leap writes about folks with mental illness. He explains the obstacles many face while trying to receive treatment. It's a shame (and I say that knowing it is an understatement) that folks can't get the help they need to survive. When one in five South Carolinians have a diagnosed mental illness - from Depression to Schizophrenia - and so many times when they try to seek treatment, it is denied. Dr. Leap claims it is due to burn out of health care officials. He thinks we need more money to help assuage the problem.

Money is part of it. Understanding is part of it. And having health insurance that covers mental health is another. Private care in this state is arguably better than public care. And still, so many people with health insurance find themselves in the public system. Parity was a good step - but even that is only a beginning. Mental health should be regarded as importantly as physical health. When the top four causes of disability are all mental illnesses - we must wake up and realize that mental health is as important as physical health.

Just a thought

Spending a lot of time with my mom discussing Frank Willis, she was wondering... If the Mayor looked like, resembled, favored John Spencer aka Leo McGarry from the West Wing.

What do y'all think?

Where is Walhalla?

This morning, after a cold DC - and another one from Chick-Fil-A, Mom and I were on our way to Oconee County, Walhalla to be specific.

[side note: I love Chick-Fil-A. Love it. Great chicken sandwiches, but what's up with most of their fast food joints serving caffeine free diet coke??? It's an abomination. Diet Coke wasn't really meant to be caffeine free. I understand some people like it better that way, but shouldn't the Chick really give us a choice or a warning?]

I was under the impression - from WRB - that we were going to Pine Street, when really the Oconee County Democrats were meeting on West Main... But I digress, we found the Courthouse, and man - what a great group of folks. There were flags and flowers and the court room was set up like a little mini-state convention. It was great. I saw two of my absolute favorite County Chairs, Ken Campbell and Charles Hamby.

Even though Mr. Hamby got up and expressed his love for Tommy Moore, I still think he is one of the greatest Democrats we've got. There was a lot more support for the Mayor up there than I think folks realize. I was quite impressed by both the turnout and the amount of participants willing to take a Willis sticker. (Now, I realize - it's a convention, and people are sticker whores, but it took guts to wear a Willis sticker when Charles Hamby was passing out Moore stuff.)

Regardless, it was a great trip. Oconee County is absolutely beautiful. Of course, I knew that - being the home of Lake Keowee and all - thus, the home of Lil' Tubby. But it was a real pretty ride. Great company. Good Diet Coke.

A Big Friday...

It's Saturday night. And while I should be enjoying a night with the girls in Hotlanta- I'm at home. Let me explain the events of Friday and Saturday:

Friday - I woke up on time, got ready for the day and was traveling down I-26. Toodling. I was toodling - I wasn't speeding, I wasn't going slow. I was listening to a good CD. (Sunday Funday Classics). I was enjoying the gray day. AND THEN a woman STOPPED in the middle of the interstate. Dead stop. STOP. I kid you not, a woman driving some sort of little Nissan came to a complete stop in the middle of the fast lane on I-26 eastbound.

Instead of crashing into car (I had slowed down, but was not expecting her to STOP), I careened to the left (of all the ironies) to avoid the collision. I hurt my car. I was not hurt, but my car has seen better days. According to the man at the collision shop in Mauldin, where the car was towed, I hurt it "badly." I do not recommend careening into guard rails.

So, like, that was Friday. My mom came and got me, we stopped at Waffle House (where I cried - I say it was due to nerves and not their coffee), and then I went home to Gvegas. My mother convinced me to have a cocktail - to calm my nerves - and lemme tell you, it was best drink I've had in quite some time.

There was no way I was making to Atlanta to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of the Fabulous Jen. My car was totaled and, I discovered, my deductible not as low as I would have hoped. In order to make it to her wedding, I sacrificed the bacherlorette. Sigh.

I did, however, make it to Oconee this morning (more on that later) thanks to the lovely driving abilities of one gracious Mommacita. Folks, my mother is one of the most amazing people on this earth - the least of which she woke me up this morning in time to make it to Oconee - she woke me up with a cold Diet Coke. Hallelujah. There is good in this world.

My favorite candy...

I have discovered that I am in love with m&ms...

I also adore their commercials. It must be the primary colors. Who doesn't love an m&m? It's easily shared, eaten - it's the perfect candy. Not only does it melt in your mouth and not in your hand, you can now order the candy in a variety of personalized colors.

And the new mega-m&ms... Not quite my favorite, but I do love the other varieties - crispy, almond, peanut butter. All good choices to mix with chocolate. Even the dark chocolate m&ms were a hit in my household.

Never a good idea.

It is not a good idea to add offenses to the death penalty. A legislator from Anderson, Senator Kevin Bryant, wants to add repeat sexual offense to the list of offenses that qualify for the death penalty. Senator Hutto admits the political quandry this legislation presents - no one wants to be anything but tough on child molesters. But is there a better way?

The death penalty is not the answer in this case, nor in any other. I realize I am a liberal - and even more of a liberal when it comes to taking a life - but I think we can all agree (I hope we can all agree) that we should start phasing out the death penalty, not adding to it.

Many reasons:
I don't want the goverment to have that much power.
I don't ever want the responsibility of sentencing someone to death.
It's more cost effective to serve a lifetime in jail.
It's a constitutionally iffy proposition.

Okay, go ahead and discuss. Should folks, folks who were overwhelmingly abused themselves, be sentenced to death after committing a crime? I think it's a heinous crime, no doubt about it. I just question whether it's worthy of death versus a life time in prison.

Daddio

I just finished a brief convo with my Dad. We were discussing American Idol last night. Now that television has re-entered my life, I am consumed with watching meaningless TV. I liked the guy who sang "Walk the Line." Dad liked someone else - I tried to quickly forget his bad pick. Yup, I am an American Idol snob.

The conversation progressed to songs we had playing in our head. I could not seem to get "Ring of Fire" out of mine. Dad was replaying "Its Hard Out Here for a Pimp" in his head. I could see him dancing in his chair in his office... to "Its Hard Out Here for a Pimp." Oh, how I love my father.

No Grami, not a worker's union - Union County.

So, like, last night I was in, like, Union County?

The twenty or so Democrats that came out to elect and re-elect county officers were quite a group. I don't think I had ever been in Union before this particular trip. It was charming. The Main Street (West Main Street) was quaint and small and you could just imagine it bustling with people during the day. Okay, perhaps "bustling with people" isn't really the phrase that comes to mind, so work with me, kay?

The Court House was beautiful. The Clerk of Court, a twenty-something Democrat, showed me the court room - worthy of Atticus Finch, I'd say. Or David Bruck. Whatev'.

The thing I didn't know about Union, is that it is one of 18 counties that are represented in toto by Democrats. How neat! Being raised in the Upstate - I don't think I ever really understood (till moving to Richland County) how refreshing it is to be represented by Democrats! You can actually believe in and trust your officials!

So, it was a good turnout on a dreary cold March night. I'm enthused about Anderson on Thursday -- anyone got any ideas for a keynote?

(Another) DC Surprise.

Nope, not a cold fountain (or draft, as we often say) Diet Coke -- The Infamous MSS swooped into town today (after being somewhere) and then swooping out (back to somewhere else). It was, as usual, fabulous to see him.

Over lunch - with a pitcher of Diet Coke - he was quite entertaining. At one point, I do believe, dc almost came out of my nose. I've been urging him to write on The Shasher - as two posts do not equal a blog. He reminded me that I've been less than a stellar writer. Sigh. Brothers. Regardless, he informed me that he can be found at myspace.com. Fabulous.

SCDP Bias? No way.

I haven't wanted to admit bias within the South Carolina Democratic Party. So what if Tommy Moore's campaign headquarters happens to be about five feet from the SCDP? So what if there was a huge Tommy Moore campaign sign outside the doors of the SCDP? So what?
I can just see Lachlan McIntosh, arms crossed, with a smirk on his face.

But here's a relatively silly question I have - what is official filing? And why aren't any of the other candidates filing for a Democratic seat, officially filing?

According to Patrick Norton of the SCDP, the only candidate officially filing for office is Senator Tommy Moore. Now, I'm sure Grady Patterson, Lee Ballenger and even Barney Giese officially filed. However, the distinction - however small - of filing officially was only afforded to the Senator from District 25. What's up with that?

Where were (are) we?

Thanks to K-Cali, for telling me about this fantastic editorial. She found it in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, written by Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald.

"Every generation blames the one before."

Late last year, John Conyers, Democratic congressman from Michigan, proposed impeaching the president of the United States. The proposal received scant attention in the media mainstream, which might be attributed to the fact that the proposal's chances of passage were roughly akin to those of an ice cube's of surviving a steam bath. Surely Conyers knew that going in, so one wonders why he put the measure forth in the first place. He gives his answer in the current issue of Harper's. He did it, he said, because when future generations ask where he was while the president subverted the Constitution, he wants to have an answer.

And what will our answer be?

Most of us don't want to believe that our President could have so desperately broken the law by eavesdropping, we have federal laws that prohibit such actions, right? Most of us don't want to believe that the man charged with protecting and upholding the land we so honor would abandon our mores and standards. I don't want to believe it.

I've avoided reading articles about it. I'm turned off the radio when I've heard reporters talk about; I try not to enter into conversations when it is the topic.

It's time though - and I completely agree with Pitts - it's time to stand up and shout from rooftops that this President has broken the law and the trust of the American people.

Was the whole country napping when Joseph McCarthy's bullying and lies made a mockery of the Constitution? Didn't anybody speak out when Franklin Roosevelt sent Americans to concentration camps? Where were the good people when Americans of African descent were being lynched and the president and the Congress stood by and did nothing?

Never one to sit idly by - I am shocked by my past behavior. I don't want to have to answer to the erosion of American ideals by this President. It's time, folks. Time to stand up. Time to protest. We deserve answers to what has really been happening... And we want them now.

This week - forward = future (see Primates)...

So, this week I'm hitting the trail -- I'll be in Union, Anderson and Oconee. I'll be doing double-duty as the Third Vice Chair, and also as a humble ambassador for Mayor Frank Willis. I've mentioned before that I think the Mayor is the best idea for the state of South Carolina, and I'll say it again.

It's time for new leadership; it's time for change. South Carolinians cannot endure four more years of Mark Sanford's bad decisions. There's a reason we're 48th in unemployment, 7th slowest in wage growth and that the schools our children attend have not been funded adequately enough to meet legal standards. There's a reason why South Carolina's businesses are closing shop and moving far away. There's a reason why South Carolinian's don't have adequate, affordable health care. And that reason is Republican un-leadership.

It's time for positive change. It's time to make a difference in the day-to-day lives of every citizen in the state -- and that change is Mayor Frank Willis of Florence. The man knows how to make a budget and stick to it, how to make a plan and finish it, how to make a promise and keep it. He's honorable, he's realistic, and he's going to do a good job for South Carolina.

If primates are to be believed...

I was at a birthday party last night and this woman was telling stories of her daughter's science projects. One of them was that primates see the future behind them and the past ahead of them. It hurts my brain to even begin to understand how that is possible -- or, more importantly, how that little fact was obtained.
I plain old don't get it.
Anyone know anything about this?

Arrggh!

I don't know if you caught this gem in The State this morning -- but two US Navy warships were caught in a fight with a PIRATE.

Yes, off the coast of Somalia, the USS Cape St. George & the USS Gonzalez "spotted a 30-foot fishing boat towing smaller skiffs." The suspected pirates were holding rocket launchers.

Not too smart, those pirates.

Fired without cause?

I love all things French. So, when looking over this morning's NYT (which is one of my favorite Sunday indulgences), I was suprised (well, not really) to see that there was a mightly protest to a new French law.
Also being a new law junkie (betcha didn't know that one, now did ya?), I wanted to find out what had the youth of France up in arms , or banners and signs as it seems...

There's a new French law that allows employers to fire those employees under 26 without cause, after two years of employment. Being an employee in an "At-Will" state (and new environ), I was shocked to see that France allowed so many more allowances to its employees. Well, again, not shocked - but I do find the issue of the employee's age quite interesting. Why under 26?

Especially when those under the age of 26 have a 23% unemployment rate? How is that going to help unemployment? As a recently Told-To-Leave-Work-Immediately person, I'm not sure how I feel about firing without cause. I think it's a basic right of an employer... but why restrict it to only those under 26?

Richland County Breakfast.

Whoever thought MOM's breakfast was a good idea at 8:30 AM on the Saturday after St. Patrick's Day was not thinking clearly... I completely blame WRB.
I avoided the eggs and grits and settled on strong, hot coffee - in order to be alert and wide-eyed when candidate Robert Barber spoke.

The next Lt. Governor was a good, solid speaker - I followed his message, understood his platform and agreed with his philosophy of Main Street Values. He was a little shaky when answering a couple questions, but I think that could have been MOM's coffee.
I like him. I think he will do a particularly good job.

Rep. Ronny Townsend

So. Are we going to take bets on why he's leaving?

Uh-huh. Sure.

While watching horrible TV (this is the reason I do not turn on my television set!), it is reported that while researching her heritage, Madonna claims to be "distantly related" to Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall.

Well, they're all royalty.

I have mentioned...

That I adore changing my hair color on any given whim.
So, tonight - I went out on a limb and am trying something new. Why not?

We shall see what results. Keep your fingers crossed! (It has been known to turn orange, green and on occassion, purple).

Voting. Stupid Feds.

A'ight. I have a very dear friend in Alabama who tipped me to this issue... And, I have reason to believe that this legal dilemma will be traveling east to South Carolina rather soon.

Here's the issue - absentee voters, ahem - absentee military voters - are having trouble receiving and sending back ballots between primary elections and runoff elections. I acknowledge that this is a huge problem. It's unfair. The men and women that are off fighting our battles and keeping the peace far away should have every opportunity to play a part in our Democracy.

However, the Federal Government is trying to make states - most recently Alabama - allow absentee military voters to vote by email. All the technological issues aside - all the security issues aside - WHY should someone working overseas (or for that matter outside the state of South Carolina) be given more opportunity to vote by virtue of their occupation?

I realize the men and women in our armed forces are making a personal sacrifice. But, folks, that's what they signed up to do. And we can debate for HOURS the opportunities and desperation that many people face when signing up, but I return to my main point -- why are people, ordinary normal citizens, given more rights and opportunity than any other normal ordinary South Carolinian?

Plus, where does it stop? Is it only those people serving? Is it also our contractors? Is it only folks in Iraq? Or could it be people in Germany, too? Or DC? And, would it be support personnel for the actual armed services?

Here's my suggestion - move the primary and runoff out a little. Put a couple extra weeks in between in order to ensure that mailed out ballots are received and returned. Easy, done - and we don't even have to get into security issues of email or how to offer a wireless connection to the Marine trekking across Iraq.

My DC Surprise.

Nope, not a super-large cold diet coke... The surprise was being able to spend time with MSS. Because this weekend the infamous MSS had a pass and visited his hometown... He also visited me in Cola and visited his school buddies down in Charleston. It was fantastic to see him.

And fantastic is an understatement. MSS is one of the funniest people I know - his humor is unique and bizarre. He started a blog - and by started, I mean he posted twice. However, his starting attempt cracks me up.

Double Standard

I was (illegally) reading the NYT last week and found this great example... "Imagine being stopped for speeding and having the local legislature raise the limit so you won't have to pay the fine." What, you're thinking, what does that have to do with anything? It's what's happening to the law that prohibits the president from spying on us without getting a warrant from a judge.


I haven't really wanted to think about wiretapping, instead I have been content to bury my head in the sand and hope and pray that our president wakes up and realizes that it is a BAD idea.

Quote from the editorial, Kabuki Congress - "There is not a shred of proof that the illegal program produced information that could not have been obtained legally, had the administration wanted to bother to stay within the law."

There's a lot more to it than this - but this is going to be something I'm looking more into - instead of ignoring the rather lengthy discussions on the topic. This is huge. And dangerous. And, quite honestly, un-American.

I'm a Little Tea Cup!

This is the start of a couple catch-up comments - so cut me some chronological slack...

Wowzahs, Jenny! The State reported, a little while back, about Jenny Sanford trying to sell Italian Dinnerware...

This was my favorite quote from the good side... "Senate Democratic Minority Leader John Land, D-Manning, said it was unusual to have a first lady who "would appear to be selling, or hawking or endorsing china made in Italy and drinking out of a $34 cup when South Carolinians are looking for jobs."

And then, this gem -- "This is a new low for Democrats to attack the first lady," Jason Miller, the governor's campaign manager, said. "It's as though the liberal Democrats wake up on the wrong side of the bed every single day, choosing to attack and hurl insults rather than talk about their own ideas."

Okay, first - I don't think anyone would categorize Land as a "Liberal Democrat." Second, I seem to remember Jenny & Marky Mark throwing all kinds of insults at the most gracious First Lady, Rachel Hodges.
So, you know what - Marky Mark opened the door... And frankly, Jenny's caught holding the teacup.

Where'd I go?

I was reading this article on having a credible blog - and one of the ten commandments was to post consistently. I am a sinner of the worst kind. I will beg forgiveness from the few faithfuls and ask that you give me this week to make it up to you. I have been slowly collecting articles and tidbits that might be of interest (probably not) to share.


Let's start with the last two weeks. My (former) employer discovered my blog. Ha. Ha. Ha... While I thought she would be taken with my clever turn of phrase, she was instead furious that I would dare do such a thing. She commanded me to cease posting. In the interest of a paycheck, I followed suit.
Now, the small irony of it all, is that I was already planning on giving my notice. I've happily accepted a huge career jump with a HUGE company. (Celebrate!) However, I didn't want to leave my non profit without a website or a brochure or plans for their annual event -- and I felt completely guilt-ridden for jumping ship so soon after joining the crew.


Well, I shouldn't have felt guilty for a moment. After discovering that I (shock) visited -- not posted, but visited - my blog, I was told to go packing. There's a little more to it than that -- they also read my email (!) and found a communique asking me if I had taken the new job. I had tried to keep all New Job Email to a personal account - but what can you do? I didn't realize that my email would be monitored!
When told that I was no longer needed, I smiled and actually uttered, "Check ya' later," and happily sauntered out the door.
After all, I have a new job to attend to... And, even more ironically - part of my new job will be to play on the internet. WAHOO.