November 2004 Archives

Sims 2 to Expand: Sims 2 University in the Works!
The Sims are going to college. Pillowfights and togas on tap!
To be released: March 2005

Last night, LM and I got to talking about how life was when we were kids compared to how life is now. We had been watching the news, listening to who killed who, and stuff. I find stuff like that incredibly sad. It bothers me, deep within me, to hear how messed up our world is and how screwed up some people are.

It reminded me of a blog entry I read somewhere. I don't remember who wrote it, but the gist was that the Christian Right was nostalgic for a time that did not really exist and that was one of the reasons why they focused so much on moral issues. Well, I am not a member of the Christian Right ... but, I am definitely nostalgic for my childhood days.

Don't get me wrong. I don't want black people, gays, or women to have to deal with injustice or people trampling on their civil rights. But, somewhere, things changed from not bad to bad. At least, here in rural America.

I miss the days where kids could play outside with a slim chance of someone kidnapping them or hurting them. When I was little, you rarely ever heard of such things and when you did ... it happened in some big city. When I was a kid, we went out the door in the morning and didn't come in until supper. No one watched us. No one thought they needed to. Now, I am afraid to let my kids go outside and play without me watching them. Someone could kidnap them, molest them, some kid or an adult could assault them, etc.

I miss how people were when I was little. Parents actually expected their children to be respectful to adults and to authority. When the principal called your parents ... you knew you were going to get it. You were going to get your butt whooped at school and then when you came home. No one called it abuse. Rarely did a teacher or principal get cussed out for trying to make you act right, because they expected you to be responsible for your homework and talk to your teachers like you had some sense.

That isn't the case anymore, at least not most of the time. I get more disrespectful comments from kids than I do adults. If you bother to take it to the parents, there is a good chance you are going to get cussed out because you dared say anything bad about their child. I had a ten year old girl a few months ago try to cuss me out because I told her she could not come in my yard to fight another child. Teachers are now the bad guys ... because of a few bad apples ... and principals deal with unruly children and adults on a daily basis.

When I was little, it was no big deal that the 10 Commandments hung on the wall of my classroom, that there was a moment of prayer in the morning, and we stood up to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Even when I was in middle school and a few kids said they didn't want to pray or say the pledge ... it still wasn't a big deal. Morning prayer became a moment of silence for them and when the pledge was said, they stood up with the rest of us ... they just didn't put their hands on their hearts and say the pledge. No one got mad. No one made them do it.

Now ... my kids don't get even a moment of silence. The 10 Commandments have been taken down. And, people are fighting to take the word "God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance. It makes me wonder.

These days, I have to fight to teach my kids manners and have them do chores. They don't understand why I expect them to call their elders "sir" and "ma'am" or work around the house when their friends don't have to. I have to fight to keep them innocent. They have friends who roam the streets without parental supervision and my oldest child, who is only 11 years old, has friends who are sexually active. At her age, I didn't even know any sexually active kids! And, she wonders why I am so overprotective.

My kids are missing out on some wonderful things, in my opinion. They don't get to be kids ... not like I got to be a kid. No, their senses are attacked daily with mixed messages. They are taught at school that if I spank them that I am abusing them. They are taught that they don't have to listen to authority. They are bombarded with messages about sex from magazines, TV, movies, and the internet. Even commercials are sexual now.

We wanted our children to be educated about sex and to make responsible decisions about it ... then we threw sex at them through every media source available making it look like the funnest thing in the world. Now we are trying to stop them from having sex. It is like taking a new toy from a child. They aren't having it. And, no amount of abstinence education means anything when all they see and hear about is sex, sex, and more sex. It is one thing to deal with the issue realistically and know that hiding sex from kids does not prevent them from experimenting with it ... but, making it the greatest thing next to PS2 isn't the way either.

A lot of good-hearted people got really concerned about child welfare and abuse ... so they decided that spanking a child was a crime. We don't want other people spanking our kids, even though most of us grew up with the school spanking us, our relatives spanking us, and our parents spanking us. It didn't kill us and it sure didn't hurt us. But, we don't want our kids to learn right from wrong and that there are consequences to their actions. And, then we wonder why they are out of control. And, those same people decided to change the law and make spanking legal again ... but, schools are still afraid to discipline children, an uncle who spanks his nephew can be jailed, and if you smack your child for calling you a "b*tch" you will still go to jail. Too late, folks ... we already screwed that pooch and hung it out to dry.

Those same good-hearted people decided that people could not live without running water or electricity and have children. That made them unfit and Social Services would need to come and take their children away. My husband grew up in a house with no electricity or running water. He walked a mile everyday to get water and bring it home. His mother used kerosene and candles to light and heat the house. None of her kids feel they were mistreated because they had to walk for water or build a fire in the stove to cook. Yet, his mother would be unfit by today's standards, even though all of her children were clean, had homecooked meals, and were sent to school.

And, of course, if we complain about how messed up things are now ... we always get those people who say that it is better now than it was then. They say we are looking at the past with rose colored glasses. They also think that we want to do away with the good progress that has been made. That isn't true. It is better now in some ways, but in many ways it is worse. I am not wearing rose colored glasses. I know what is real and what is not. I know what it was like back then and how it is now. I also don't want to do away with the good.

Somewhere in all the progress we've made ... we have lost a lot of good. And, our society is suffering for it. It is true that it takes a village to raise a child and our village is failing. Everyone is so self-centered. It is always about them as individuals, never us as a whole. No one wants to be a role model, set a good example, or think about anyone but themselves and their own interests. If they do ... it is usually because it serves them to.

This morning, my radio woke me with this song and it started my day off thinking about this stuff. I understand this song. I feel it. So enjoy and I will holla at y'all later.

Tim McGraw
Back When

I was going through my referral stats today, as that is how I find so many good blogs to read, and came upon a URL that made me think I needed to check it out. So, I go over to the site, to the page that had a link to me, and get the biggest kick!

Come to find out, someone decided to nominate my blog for the Best Liberal Blog on the 2004 Weblog Awards! I about fell out! I was like, "Wow! Someone really likes my blog. Cool!" I am like totally trippin' ... totally.

I am flattered. Really. It made me smile big time.

I am not a competitive person and never really been into award thingies and whatnot. I don't even really consider my blog a "Liberal" blog. I have never nominated myself for stuff like this and pretty much ignore that it is going on, but this is kinda neat. It made me realize what those actors and actresses mean when they say that the nomination is everything. So thanks for the nomination. I seriously doubt I will make it to the finals considering the nature of my blog, but I appreciate the nomination regardless. :)

Why is it that seeing pictures of our oh so santimonious president flipping the bird is so funny to me? I guess it is because we get to see the other side of him, the side he doesn't show very often. They are too funny, though. I just have to wonder what my brothers and sisters in Christ ... you know the ones on the far Right ... have to say about them?

Is that an American Flag you got there or are just happy to see us? :P

Via etherealfire. Taken from here.

I found this over at Digger's ...

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

I found the link to this thing over at David's ... and then LM had a ball with it. Here is me, as a superhero, with Sir Jasper as my companion. :P

Make your own here.

Little Man decided it wasn't fair that I got to dedicate my love to him and he didn't get to do the same. So, this week ... the selection I have for you was handpicked by LM himself. Some of these songs, I didn't even realize that he had dedicated them to me. I know he sings them a lot and gives me that ole goofy love eye of his, but I thought he was just playing around. Don't get me wrong, I love them all. I just didn't know about some of them. :)

There is a bit of a genre mix again, so be prepared.

So listen and enjoy! :P

Remember, you can find my Radio Blog on my right side panel. Listen while you can. Friday will bring a whole new selection for your listening pleasure.

• You've Got A Friend - James Taylor
• The Rose - Bette Midler
• Standing Outside The Fire - Garth Brooks
• Shameless - Garth Brooks
• Real Good Man - Tim McGraw
• Put That Woman First - Jaheim
• No Pain No Gain - Betty Wright
• Love, Me - Collin Raye
• Love Has Finally Come At Last - Bobby Womack & Patti LaBelle
• If I Ever Fall In Love Again - Anne Murray & Kenny Rogers
• I Wanna Know - Joe
• I Need Love - LL Cool J
• Always And Forever - Luther Vandross
• Ain't Too Proud To Beg - The Temptations

(Click here to go to my Radio Blog instantly.)

My faith.

My husband. Period. I love that man!

The love of my children. I couldn't live without them.

The health of my family.

My friends, online and off.

My cat.

Being a good cook.

That I am not a Republican.

My happiness.

My blog.

Better said, happy birthday to my blog. Yes, The Rogue Angel is one year old today. While I had another blog for a few years, and started actually blogging in 2000, that blog was pretty much private. It didn't allow for comments or trackbacks and it was truly a diary. Also, only a handful of people actually knew it existed. I kept it real private.

I would call this blog more of a interactive journal. :)

I have really enjoyed this blog, my commenters, and getting to know so many other bloggers. It has been a blast, y'all. I am looking forward to many, many more blog birthdays. And, there will be more. I can assure you of that. This blog is definitely much more addictive than my old one. That is for sure!

So, sing "Happy Birthday" for me! And, loudly. It does have to reach Kentucky, ya know? :P

I am sorry I haven't been around much. I have been so busy, I haven't even been able to read many blogs at all ... and if I do, I don't have time to comment. I can think of two blogs that have gotten comments from me in the last two days and they only did because I thought I was going to have more time than I did.

LM and I have been getting the house ready for Thanksgiving, putting up summer clothes and replacing them with winter clothes, and taking care of the multitude of errands and paperwork we have had to deal with. Yesterday, I went grocery shopping for Thanksgiving as well and today I start cooking. We are going to have a house full! I know I won't have time to even post at all.

This year I am cooking ... turkey, chicken & dressing, green beens & potatoes w/bacon, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, blackeyed peas & onions, greens, brocolli & cheese casserole, corn, cranberry sauce, rolls, and ham w/pineapple, cherries, and brown sugar. We will also have a deer shoulder plus two pecan pies, two pumpkin pies, one sweet potato pie, and lots of walnuts for guests to crack and snack on. Yummy! It will definitely be a feast!

What are you eating for Thanksgiving?

Interesting read here ...

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Sunday that "accountability will be carried out" against whoever slipped a provision into an omnibus spending bill that would have allowed two committee chairmen to view the tax returns of any American.

...

The two lawmakers who would have gained that power -- Sen. Ted Stevens, an Alaska Republican, and Rep. Bill Young, a Florida Republican -- both said they wouldn't use it, and the Senate approved a resolution deleting the language.

And, we cannot ignore this ...

Republicans whisked a $388 billion spending bill through Congress on Saturday, a mammoth measure that underscores the dominance of deficit politics by curbing dollars for everything from education to environmental cleanups.

Now ... if I balanced my budget like these guys did ... cutting the grocery bill and shorting the rent, but allowing more money for things I didn't actually need, I would be in big trouble. But, hey, if you leave your debt for your grandkids, you don't have to worry about it, do ya?

I feel for the next administration. They are going to have an enormous job on their hands cleaning up the mess of this one.

I found this over at Donna's ...

• How long have you had a blog? My first blog was created in 2000. I used blogger, but had it set to upload to the domain I had at that time. This blog used blogger at first too, but then I started using MT instead. I started this blog on November 24, 2003. Almost anniversary time for me! :)
• Why did you become interested in blogging? What do you like about it? It made keeping my diary simple and easy, considering I hate to actually write anything anymore.
• What do you write about more: yourself or _insert subject here_? I write about everything. I write about me, my kids, my husband, my faith, politics ... everything that I think and care about. I am diverse like that. :)
• If your blog has categories, which one do you post in most often? Here lately, it has been Politics.
• 5 of your favorite blogs: This changes a lot, but right now they are Loaded Mouth, Simply Shylah, Debwire, EJ Flavors, and The After Hours Pub.
• Do you use an online alias on your blog? I have a nickname that some people prefer to use, but I am me regardless of what I am called.
• Blog entry that has received the most comments: I have no clue!
• Tell us how you chose your blog title: It is the nick I have had online for the last four years. It fits me perfectly, if I say so myself. :) Though, it was not I who came up with this nick for me. It was given to me.
• How do you feel about Google ads on personal blogs? I don't care one way or another. I ain't much on griping about what other people do with their sites. It is theirs and they can do with it what they want to. *shrug*
• Does anyone you know in *real life* know about your blog? Yep. A few people know about my blog.
• 2 words you use all the time in your posts: LM and "dude." How appropriate! :P

Okay, now you do it!

LM: You cut 'em and I'll skin 'em. *puts a fish on the table*
Me: It's alive!
LM: *starts cutting the fish*
Me: Ewww ... ewww ... ewww!
LM: I'm doing the first one for ya.
Me: But, it's alive!
LM: *puts a fish in front of me*
Me: *grabs rag and puts over the head of the fish*
LM: What are you doing?
Me: Covering it's eyes.
LM: What for?
Me: So it can't see me cut it.
LM: Oh Gawd!
Me: It doesn't move as bad when it can't see!
LM: *his fish starts going crazy*
Me: *shriek*
LM: *whack whack whack*
Me: *scream*
LM: You ain't gonna cry, are ya? *grabs next fish*
Me: No. But, you should use a rag like me. *his new fish goes nuts*
LM: Hand me that rag on the floor beside the chair.
Me: *bends down to get rag*
LM: *whack whack whack*
Me: Little Man!!!! *jumping up*
LM: I was just jokin'.
Me: You didn't bash the fish?
LM: No, I did that. I just don't need the rag.
Me: You know, if you were a Buddhist you wouldn't do that.
LM: Why is that?
Me: Cause you would be reincarnated into a fish and bashed in your head.
LM: Well, then it's good I ain't a Buddhist.
Me: Karma is a b*tch!
LM: *evil laugh* *whack whack whack*
Me: *scream*
LM: *laughs*
Me: Evil!
LM: Heh. At least you didn't tell me to drown it. *laughs*
Me: Mmmph. Screw you!
LM: In front of the fish? You pervert!

This weeks selection is dedicated to my husband. I love my husband and these are the songs that I have dedicated to him at various times since we first fell in love. As you know, or should have guessed by now, I am like ate up with my man. I am. I totally admit it and I definitely have no shame in my game. I love me some Little Man. Believe that.

There is a bit of a genre mix too, so don't be surprised when it switches up from Beyonce to Savage Garden. :P

So listen and enjoy! :P

Remember, you can find my Radio Blog on my right side panel. Listen while you can. Friday will bring a whole new selection for your listening pleasure.

• You're Making Me High - Toni Braxton
• You're All I Need to Get By - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• U Should've Known Better - Monica
• Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
• Shameless - Garth Brooks
• No Pain No Gain - Betty Wright
• If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys
• For You I Will - Monica
• Desperado - The Eagles
• Crazy In Love - Beyonce
• All My Life - K-Ci & JoJo
• After All - Peter Cetera & Cher

(Click here to go to my Radio Blog instantly.)

I have a hypothetical situation to propose to you. It is a question as well and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please consider the situation seriously before answering.

If another country invaded the United States of America, how do you think you would respond? Would you defend your country? To what extent? Or would you allow occupying forces to overthrow our government, imprison our citizens, and slaughter our men, women, and children?

For those of my readers who have a "personal responsibility" viewpoint ... I want to ask you where does "personal responsibility" begin and end? What all is included in your view of "personal responsiblity" and what do you think the USA would be like if that view became dominant?

I am sitting here feeling an emotion I cannot even give a name to. Disgusted is way too kind. Confused does not adequately describe how I feel about this administration. But, I can tell you that the god that Bush calls upon and is always speaking of ... is not my God. There are a lot of people who say that they are Christians and support this war. I think they are beyond confused and filled with hate ... because this is not right and it surely isn't Christ-like. False gods abound. Obviously, Bush and his cronies have latched onto one.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

Here are some pictures that will chill the souls of most. These aren't for the faint of heart. And, I am sorry, but if you can look at pictures like this and still feel that we should be over there murdering these people ... then something is SERIOUSLY wrong with you.

This from an article on CNN.

The U.S. military is investigating whether a Marine shot dead an unarmed, wounded insurgent during the battle for Falluja in an incident captured on videotape by a pool reporter.

The man was shot in the head at close range Saturday by a Marine who found him among a group of wounded men. The wounded men were found in a mosque that Marines said had been the source of small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire the previous day.

While I support our troops, I do not support the murder of unarmed people. We have rules of war for a reason. And, while many people feel that a soldier should be able to just kill willy nilly ... that is not what our armed services is for. We are not a country that supports the murder of innocent people, unarmed people, and such. I can understand that some get too caught up in the moment and that war is hell, but that does not change the rules.

Hat tip to Tas and his coverage. Also to BlondeSense.

This is the post I will use to answer any questions you have. It will grow as more questions are asked in response to this post. Feel welcome to comment on any answer I give, but if you have new questions, take them to the original post, please. :)

Becky asked:

1. Do you believe in ghosts (spirits, guardian angels, etc.?)
   Yes, I do. I do believe I have actually seen a ghost. :)
2. Do you plan to grow old gracefully or fight it every step of the way?
   Grow old gracefully. Why fight the inevitable?
3. Do you like rollercoasters?
   I love them!!!! Even though I am incredibly scared of heights. Weird, I know. LOL

David of ISOU asks:

1. All-time Fav. Movie
   The Outsiders
2. Favorite Actor/Actress
   Sidney Poitier/Susan Sarandon
3. Favorite Happy Experience of all time.
   I don't have a definitive happy experience. But, I can say the happiest I have ever been in my life was when I lived in a two bedroom box of a house when my kids were very little, after their father and I split up. When I think of my happiest experiences, those days are what comes to my mind.

Michelle from Mom With Attitude asked:

1. Biggest pet peeve?
   I have so many! LOL The biggest one changes with my circumstances ... as they always feel like they are the biggest ones when they are actually occuring. Right now, it is being distracted. I hate working on something and having people bother me. It gets on my last nerve! Just trying to answer your questions ... I have been interrupted 23 times. Grrrr.
2. What do you dislike (or rather wish to change) about yourself- what you feel you need to work on personally?
   My inability to sit down and write a letter. I have become so accustomed to typing, that I cannot write anything for any length of time. I type all my letters. But, if I write them ... then they get maybe one page. If I type, they get five or six. I used to be able to write for days.
3. What do you love about yourself- what you feel is your best quality?
   My ability to emphasize with other people. It runs deep. It doesn't matter if it is a book, a movie, my best friend, a stranger across the ocean ... I can put myself in their shoes and imagine what they are feeling. It can be emotionally draining at times, but I think it makes me kind in a very deep way and I like that about myself.

Deb of Debwire asks:

1. What do you fear most about G'Dubya and his hardline right-wing administration? (Okay, so I deliberaly biased that question.)
   I fear a lot of things and I don't think I could just name one. I fear that Bush is going to destroy all past efforts in the Middle East and will continue to give Muslims reason to hate us which will spawn more groups like Al Qaeda. I fear for our civil liberties and rights. I fear that Bush's "brand" of Christianity will further divide Christians and non-Christians here and around the world. I fear the good ole US of A will never be the same again. I fear for the future of my children and all the children of this country. For someone who talks about leaving no child behind, he certainly does not seem to care too much about what kind of world these children are growing up in.
2. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be (other than where you are now)?
   Italy.
3. What would you reveal about yourself that you haven't already revealed on your blog?
   That I am a geek. LOL I truly am. I am more comfortable taking a computer apart than I am having a person-to-person conversation. I have kept every college textbook I had in school and still read them. I am constantly reading, as I love to learn new things. I have an IQ of 133 or 137 or 142 depending on which IQ test I took in school. The university I went to took the 137 one as the most accurate. I loved making straight A's in school, but I hid my grades from my friends. I was afraid they wouldn't think I was cool. :)

Okie dokie ... I know I did this once before, but that was a long time ago and I have shared so much with you people since then. So, I am going to do it again now, since I love it when other people do this and I always say I am going to do it too. Just ask Buccho ... I just said the exact same thing on his site.

Ask me three questions (or more ... I don't really care) and I will answer them honestly. Though, if you go somewhere you shouldn't ... like what are my kids real names or what is my address ... well then I won't answer you. Fair enough? :)

You can find the answers here.

To me, this does not bode well. Colin Powell is one of the few people in Bush's cabinet that I respect. I really hate to see who Bush replaces him with.

Via ABC News.

Secretary of State Colin Powell has resigned and the White House is expected to make the announcement on Monday, U.S. officials said.

"The Secretary announced to his staff this morning that he had submitted his resignation on Friday. He said he was staying on until a successor is confirmed and on board," a State Department official, who asked not to be named, said.

And, I most definitely agree with this statement:

Powell was often seen representing more moderate views on foreign policy in the Bush administration.

Digger has more on this, including who may be named as Powell's replacement.

You know, I was walking downtown this morning when I realized that Kentucky really is The Friendly State. I was walking pretty early and there were a lot of children out waiting for the bus to school. A lot of parents were out as well, making sure that their children got on the bus safely. Black, White, Hispanic, Indian, Arabic ... all mixed in the same neighborhood ... living side by side.

Everyone of them said "hello" or "good morning" to me. And, I responded in kind. Smiles were across every face. It just started my day off so nice.

I love Kentucky.

I made the following comment to a post on another site, more in response to the comments than the actual post.

I am not going to get into this conversation, as I have made myself quite plain on how I feel about the election and all the reports that are coming in regarding it.

But, I do want to say, just because I cannot help but think it everytime I hear "exit polls" ... that exit polls mean nothing until they say that Bush won on "moral values."

I'm just sayin' ...

I have a feeling I am going to continue to say it too.

You know, before I switched to MT 3.121, I got maybe 4-5 spam hits a month. After the switch, that number changed immediately to 4-5 a day. Sometimes 10-12 a day. Now, I do not know what the correlation is, but something is now different.

I also do not get MT Blacklist and it is also ticking me off. The way I see it is this ... if I put a URL on my blacklist and then someone spams me with that URL again ... MT Blacklist should BLOCK it, not moderate it. I didn't pick for it to moderate it. If I wanted it moderated, I would have told it to moderate it.

So, I get this email telling me that the spam is being moderated and I have to de-spam something that has been de-spammed before. I would think that "block" would mean that, if anything, I would get an email saying that the spam had been blocked and I wouldn't have to do zilch. But, no ... MT Blacklist cannot be that helpful.

Here is the deal. If I have to keep messing with this spam, I will start using Typekey ... which would require you to sign in to comment or wait for me to approve your comment. I really don't want to do that, but if I did it for awhile ... maybe the spam idiots out there would then leave my blog alone.

Update: Donna made a comment that made me realize that there is some customizing I could do to keep from having to moderate all these comments that I shouldn't have to moderate since they are blocked. So, now ... that is taken care of and Typekey will not be needed. Yay! :)

Where have I been today? I have received a few emails asking that and I figured I had better check in and answer before someone calls out the dogs to hunt me down. Can't leave you to worry about me, now can I? :)

Well, to answer that question ... I have been commenting over at Loaded Mouth (as tas has been under serious fire from some of the worst the "Right" has to offer ... Anne Coulter has nothing on some of these people ... really). I have also made a few comments elsewhere. But, mainly ... I have been reading.

I don't know how familiar y'all are with this site. I don't know much about it myself. But, I received a link to it in email and have lost myself in reading it's articles. It is called The Moderate Independent and is definitely interesting.

I am not going to list the articles that I have found so fascinating. But, I know that a few of my readers will especially like some of them. :)

Okay, in the last few days I have gotten quite a bit of personal email from readers here. Since I think that others may have similar questions or y'all just might be interested in what people write me about ... I am going to do a post on them. Don't you feel special? :P

"Being evangelical you must believe in the rapture. When do you think it will happen? Is it before or during the tribulation? I have read a lot of differing opinions on that."

This really is a post unto itself. And, it is probably from someone that has been reading some comments of mine on another blog, since this is part of a discussion over there. But, the short and the quick of it is yes, I believe in The Rapture. I believe it will be before the Tribulation. The Bible supports that. If you want more info on that, let me know. I will make a post on it. :)

"What is LMs favorite Country song? Does he like other music too?"

His current favorites are a tie between I Love This Bar by Toby Keith and Real Good Man by Tim McGraw. Why he loves the first one, I am not really sure. He doesn't go to bars. LOL I think he just finds it funny. The latter song is one he feels speaks for him. He says it describes him to a T ... and I have to agree.

He likes a lot of different kinds of music, but country is his favorite. He will also listen to funk, rock, classic rock, 80s, hip-hop, soul and r&b. He is just really picky as to who he listens to when it comes to other genre's.

"do you hate president bush? be honest. do you hate him?"

No. I don't like him a whole lot, but I don't hate him. Hate is a very strong word and I honestly cannot say that I hate anyone. As a Christian I am to love everyone, even those I don't like. And, believe it or not, I try to do that.

"You used to not write so much about politics and God. What changed? It seems you write about those things more often now."

I don't really know why that changed. I know I used to not write so much about politics. In the future, I probably won't write so much about it again. Who knows. But, I have been a Democrat always and have been politically active since before I could legally vote, so it isn't like politics just became an important subject for me.

As for God, I have written about God a few times when the mood hit me. Sometimes it has been in depth, sometimes it has just been a mention of prayer or thankfulness. I guess it just depends on what is going on. But, my faith is always important to me. It just isn't all I write about. Here lately, it has been a hot topic since so many people have something to say about Christians, and especially Evangelical Christians, since the election that I think has been biased, unfair, intolerant, destructive, and spiteful.

I have a ton of stuff to do today. I have errands to run, people to see, things to do ... and I have a ton of housecleaning and laundry on top of all that. When I say I am a busy bee, I mean I am a busy bee. :)

While I am gone, Friday Jams is up and has been since last night. That should keep ya busy! Also, I got a report that Paint Me A Birmingham is not playing, though. Is anyone else having that problem?

Update: The file was corrupted. I don't know why. But, I have replaced it with a new one.

Okay ... y'all are going to love me. You really are. See, this weeks selection is for my husband. You know, I really love my husband. I adore him. And, because I do, I am dedicating this to and for him.

Yes, they are all country songs.

You see, my husband is the most interesting black man on the face of this earth, at least to me. He loves country music. Loves it. He is just a country kind of guy. He prefers country to any other type of music and below you will find his favorite songs. So, don't be a genre snob ... listen to them. :) You will learn a lot about him.

I don't know if you are really interested in what my husband is like, but his musical tastes really reflect his personality. Some of the songs really speak for him and how he sees things. Some are just funny ... as he is. He is just attracted to their humor or the points they make. He has a wonderful sense of humor. And, then there are the songs marked with an asterick (*) that are the songs he sings to me a lot. He says they speak to his love for me and different aspects of our relationship, even when we were having trouble ... before we worked things out and got married. One in particular song (let's see if you can guess which one) is how he sees me and my personality. Some are really a combination of the above.

So listen and enjoy! :P

Remember, you can find my Radio Blog on my right side panel. Listen while you can. Friday will bring a whole new selection for your listening pleasure.

• What Was I Thinkin - Dierks Bentley
• Watermelon Crawl - Tracy Byrd
• That's My Story - Collin Raye
• Strawberry Wine - Deana Carter
• She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy* - Kenny Chesney
• She Couldn't Change Me* - Montgomery Gentry
• Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town - Kenny Rogers
• Remember When* - Alan Jackson
• Redneck Woman* - Gretchen Wilson
• Real Good Man* - Tim McGraw
• Paint Me A Birmingham* - Tracy Lawrence
• Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia - Reba McEntire
• My Front Porch Looking In* - Lonestar
• It's Five O' Clock Somewhere - Alan Jackson
• If You Ever Stop Loving Me* - Montgomery Gentry
• I Wanna Do It All - Terri Clark
• I Love This Bar - Toby Keith
• I Can Love You Like That* - John Michael Montgomery
• Chicks Dig It - Chris Cagle
• Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash
• Best Of Intentions* - Travis Tritt
• Beaches Of Cheyenne - Garth Brooks

(Click here to go to my Radio Blog instantly.)

As I was doing a skip or two around the blogosphere today, I became increasingly distressed by some of what I read. Especially from Liberal blogs that I respect and think much of. I am not linking to any particular blog or any particular post ... but, I am going to do some random spewing here as a result. On my own site, so I don't sully up yours.

So, to all my liberal companions, let me say that while I love ya with all my heart, you are seriously starting to tick me off. Why? Well, let's see ...

Your bile towards Christians.

Especially Evangelical Christians. Let's get a few things straight here, okay? First and foremost ... you are doing the same thing you hate to see other people do to you. You are stereotyping people based on their religion/lifestyle. You are declaring that all Christians are homophobes, which is very untrue. Many, many, many Christians are not in the least homophobic and our disagreement with gay marriage has nothing to do with being homophobic.

For some, it is really a legal issue, one that you obviously cannot see because you are too busy calling us nasty names. And, even for those that feel it is totally a moral issue for them ... get this straight ... that still doesn't mean that they hate gay people. I am not saying that all Christians feel love for gay people, I know that isn't true, but you are not even bothering to separate the chaff from the wheat at all. You are just making sweeping generalizations.

I, for one, find it very distasteful, disturbing, and outright hypocritical of you. It also explains why a lot of Christians don't feel comfortable around us anymore and would prefer the company of Republicans where at least they feel somewhat safe from the bile and spew you have going on.

And, ridiculing people for their religious beliefs just isn't cool. Really.

The red state blue state crap.

Do you realize that going on and on about red states is silly? Especially this crap about seceding from the red states? Do you not realize that there are a lot of blues living in those red states and fighting just as hard as you are to turn things in this country around? Obviously, not.

You want to go on all day about how red state people are those awful Christians, welfare states (that one really surprises me considering our view on welfare), and how all these states want to do is have things their way and how that just ticks you off. Fine.

Just remember you said all that stupid stuff when the blues in those states move to the red side of the spectrum because they feel they are being attacked because of where they live. Keeping showing your butts and acting stupid. Go on with your bad selves. But, don't go to crying when our voting base shrinks even more because you wanted to act like a bunch of morons.

You're too wishy washy.

Take this as it is meant, because I love you. Believe that. Most of you belong to the Democratic Party ... and for those that don't, I have no ill will towards you either. But, and you knew there was going to be a "but" in here I am sure, you are really starting to make me wonder.

First, all you talk about is AnyoneButBush. Okay, I understand the concept a bit and have felt that way myself, a few times. But, then we get a candidate and a pretty good one in Kerry. Could we have done better? Maybe. Could we have done worse? Oh yeah, we could have. Yet, what do you do? You kept on (and keep on) with the AnyoneButBush drivel.

Now, why does that tick me off? Well, for one, because it wasn't about our candidate ... it was about a dislike/hatred for the current president. Too many took the "well, he is better than Bush, but not by much" road and then got upset when a bunch of people went red and Republicans attacked us right and left ... and spread the most vile lies they could about Kerry.

Hello? Are you in there?

Do you realize that you helped set that up? Really? Does it even enter your mind at this point that you are griping about what a bunch of conservatives said that you helped bring on with your own words and actions?

We had a candidate to support and many of us worked our butts off for him. Many of us believed (and still do) in him ... and not because he was the lesser of two evils. Many of us believed in him because we took the time to research the man, his 1971 testimony, and we gave all we had.

Some of you did too ... but, for the life of me I don't know why. Hate is a bad, bad thing. It is also a major driving force, as you just found out. But, it destroys as it goes. And, it is still destroying. It is one thing to voice how you disagree with something, it is another to support the heck out of a candidate and then blame him for not winning.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not blaming you for Kerry losing. I am saying to you this ... that you really need to consider where you stand in your party. Don't support someone in words or actions in a half-hearted manner. Pick the candidate you like the best and run with it. Don't put your candidate down and then cry like a baby when the other side picks up on it and goes to town on your butt.

It is not becoming.

While chitchatting with Jason in the comments of this post, he posted this site, who had a link to this quiz. Being the quiz geek I am, I had to take it, especially since it is called the World's Smallest Political Quiz. And, it is small.

Here are my results ...

The political description that fits you best is.... CENTRIST

CENTRISTS espouse a "middle ground" regarding government control of the economy and personal behavior. Depending on the issue, they sometimes favor government intervention and sometimes support individual freedom of choice. Centrists pride themselves on keeping an open mind, tend to oppose "political extremes," and emphasize what they describe as "practical" solutions to problems.

Your PERSONAL issues Score is 50%.
Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 40%.

Now, according to another quiz ...

Your Political Compass:

Economic Left/Right: -6.25
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.44

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

And, what is really funny is this same site has it's own analysis of the candidates for the 2004 Election. It is funny considering what Bush had to say about Kerry being so liberal and all. :P

I cannot help but wonder how correct this is?

Yesterday, I made a comment to a post about how Jesus seems to be a liberal based on some scripture and some comments to it. I posted again today on the same thread with more of my views on the subject. I decided to combine both comments here on my own blog, as they are a post unto themselves, as they really explain my views on poverty, welfare, taxes, and how that all directly relates to my faith. It is also one of the top three reasons why I could never be a Republican or Libertarian.

Jesus said we are to help the poor. "We" are not just the tax payers of this country ... "we" are also the people that run this country. One cannot just expect the church to handle all we have. It is irresponsible to even suggest it. The government has a responsibility to it's citizens, period. Not just to aid the poor, but to provide opportunities for them that they may be able to overcome their circumstances.

Now, there are a lot of countries that don't take reponsibility for their poor. You are more than welcome to move to any of them, anytime you wish. You would probably benefit from all the humane aid we send over there to feed them. Now, of course, you probably wouldn't like the neighborhoods that much, the disease, the filth, and such. But, hey, at least your tax dollars won't go to help any poor people either.

Also, I would like to ask a few questions? Why is giving "your" tax dollars to the non-poor better than giving to the poor? Welfare is approximately 7% of our budget ... and what is covered under "welfare" spending is not just for the poor. Corporate welfare is included in that figure.

If you don't want to give to the poor via your tax dollars, may I please hold back my tax money that goes to the rich? I mean, really. I would much rather those that need it get it, than those that don't. Millionaires can pay for their own meals. I don't want to help provide tax cuts for them so that my tax dollars pay for them to eat.

You know, I don't have a lot of conservative friends online. It is not because I am a Democrat (as I have Republican friends offline) or that I dislike conservatives. Sometimes I even agree with them. Yes, I know ... that just shocked the pee right out of you, but don't fret, it is okay. Really. :P

But, there are a few conservative blogs that I have started to read on the regular. While I do not always agree with their perspectives, I respect their opinions. They are also well written and usually have something interesting to say. I like that in a blog, politics doesn't come into that at all. So, for a bit I have linked to a few blogs from the "Right" side of the fence and I enjoy them.

And, guess what? They like me too. I think it is because I am just so sexy and have a razor sharp tongue, ahem, wit. What do ya think? :P

Anywho ... check them out. You can find Digger at his Realm and Boyd down in Texas. California men are cute, ya know ... they really are. They have that whole suntanned thing going on with their fine selves. And, there is just something about them Texas fellas with that drawl ... ohmigosh. Don't even get me started.

No politics, no witty commentary ... I am not in the mood. I am feeling really yucky today and have a migraine that just won't go away. A nap didn't help and I really feel blah. Nothing on TV interests me, too much around here is getting to me, and I just have a lot on my plate that I am having a hard time dealing with.

My life is so upside down right now ... it doesn't even resemble my life anymore. God must think I am much stronger than I do. He promises that He will not give me more than I can handle. And, that it good. Especially since I am at the breaking point and too much can go wrong.

So, I am off of here. I have no clue what I am going to do instead of blog, but I am hoping it will be something mindless.

You Are Avril Lavigne!

A bit hardcore on the outside...
But sweet and sensitive on the inside.
"It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life"

Who's Your Inner Rock Chick? Take This Quiz :-)

Via Serenity.

Race Under Way for the Political Parties' Top Slots

Jockeying for the top job at the Democratic Party is under way after Election Day losses, with former presidential hopeful Howard Dean indicating an interest in the post while other names are circulating. Republicans may reward a GOP operative who helped engineer President Bush's re-election.

...

His activism would help energize the party's liberal base, but some Democrats question whether he is the right person to broaden the party's appeal to mainstream voters.

While I entertained, for a moment, supporting Dean during his bid for a run at the presidency ... I realized that Dean is unstable and has serious issues with impulse control. He is the last person we need as our committee chief. His activism is outstanding. The fact that he will take Bush on in a most fearless way is commendable ... but, I just cannot see this man leading the Democratic Party.

Nope. I can't see it.

This was brought to my attention:

Participate in Project Myth Breaker

Many local election officials don't have the information they need to make wise decisions about voting equipment. They hear many conflicting stories, and it's hard to tell truth from myth. Here's your opportunity to help.

Join with other voting advocates across the nation to hand-deliver eye-opening information to local election officials. Educate them with:

• the real scoop about HAVA misunderstandings
• examples of recent election disasters
• price comparisons of voting systems
• hidden costs of DREs
• election complexities added by the use of DREs
• alternative HAVA-compliant voting systems
• and more!

Simply download "Myth Breakers," print it, and take it to your county election official's office. Read more about the project here.

Together we can show election officials, the media, and the American people that the concern about electronic voting is widespread throughout the nation and based on FACTS.

The VotersUnite! Team
www.votersunite.org

Make sure you pass it on!

I wasn't exactly ecstatic with my fundraising this last year, so I decided to spice my efforts up a bit. Instead of just taking cash donations, I decided to create a store offering the kind of things that I would like to buy ... and donating all my proceeds to the Democratic Party. Of course, I will still be taking monetary donations as well.

You can find links to both fundraising efforts in my sidebar. :)

Well, Deb ... the media might not be touching on the election day issues as they should ... but, it is being covered. With all the reports coming in about voting errors, disportionate votes to voters, lack of paper trail, and problems with voting machines ... an investigation has been requested by the House Committee on the Judiciary.

The first letter can be found here. A follow-up letter can be found here.

There is a website devoted to this situation, VotersUnite!

David has also touched on this subject. Cyndy has an interesting piece on the issue. BOP has as well, with a slew of articles linked for more information.

Have You Seen My Baby???

Reports are coming in that Angel's baby, Apollonia, was kidnapped by David of ISOU! "She is only 11 months old and needs to come back home," Angel said in an interview earlier today.

Apollonia was last seen here. Our experts say that the picture was taken with a digital camera from some undisclosed location in Costa Rica. If anyone has any information, please email us. Angel is desperate to get her baby back and is starting to consider the use of "Big Evil Italian Hitmen" to deal with this situation.

Don't be fooled by David. Do not try to apprehend him. He's a crafty mo'fo and is considered armed and dangerous. He has a slew of Right-Wing Nutjobs as bodyguards and we all know what they are capable of. ;)

This is dedicated to my husband ...

Monica
U Should've Known Betta

On October 9th, I posted about Redefining Rights in America: The Civil Rights Record of the George W. Bush Administration, 2001-2004. It is a report that was completed by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and is available to the public in a PDF file, here.

Deb has stated on her site that it is time the media starts discussing this report and I agree. She is also asking that if the media won't ... for bloggers to take the initiative. She has already highlighted some very important aspects of the report. Read it. It is interesting stuff.

We need to get this out there, folks. This is an important report and the findings in it not only affect our country, but affect us. Take a good look at what George W. Bush has been doing since he first took office. The things found in this report make one wonder how this man could have been reelected.

You are like so in luck this evening. How you ask? Well, since I totally forgot that it was Friday, you are going to get a double dose of jams for your listening pleasure. Cool, eh? :)

So, get ready for some of my favorite songs from the 80's! Yeah, I am still on an 80's kick ... but, hey the 80's were da bomb. You know it. It was like totally awesome and trippindicular, dude.

Enjoy! :P

Remember, you can find my Radio Blog on my right side panel. Listen while you can. Friday will bring a whole new selection for your listening pleasure.

• You're The Inspiration - Chicago
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - Elton John
• Stroke - Billy Squier
• Stand Back - Stevie Nicks
• Some Guys Have All The Luck - Rod Stewart
• Sister Christian - Night Ranger
• Say It Isn't So - Hall & Oates
• Rebel Yell - Billy Idol
• On My Own - Michael McDonald & Patti LaBelle
• Oh Sherrie - Steve Perry
• Misled - Kool & The Gang
• Lovergirl - Teena Marie
• Jack & Diane - John Cougar Mellencamp
• I Feel For You - Chaka Khan
  
• Heartbreaker - Pat Benatar
• Foolin' - Def Leppard
• Everytime You Go Away - Paul Young
• Don't You (Forget About Me) - Simple Minds
• Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - Culture Club
• Dancing On The Ceiling - Lionel Richie
• Crazy For You - Madonna
• Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon

(Click here to go to my Radio Blog instantly.)

There are a lot of people who believe that our election process needs an overhaul. The more I hear, the more I feel that is true. From CNN, I give you this to think about ...

An error with an electronic voting system gave President Bush 3,893 extra votes in suburban Columbus, elections officials said.

Franklin County's unofficial results had Bush receiving 4,258 votes to Democrat John Kerry's 260 votes in a precinct in Gahanna. Records show only 638 voters cast ballots in that precinct.

...

The Ohio glitch is among a handful of computer troubles that have emerged since Tuesday's elections. (Touchscreen voting troubles reported)

In one North Carolina county, more than 4,500 votes were lost because officials mistakenly believed a computer that stored ballots electronically could hold more data than it did. And in San Francisco, a malfunction with custom voting software could delay efforts to declare the winners of four races for county supervisor.

...

Meanwhile, in San Francisco, a glitch occurred with software designed for the city's new "ranked-choice voting," in which voters list their top three choices for municipal offices. If no candidate gets a majority of first-place votes outright, voters' second and third-place preferences are then distributed among candidates who weren't eliminated in the first round. (E-vote goes smoothly, but experts skeptical)

When the San Francisco Department of Elections tried a test run on Wednesday of the program that does the redistribution, some of the votes didn't get counted and skewed the results, director John Arntz said.

First, we need to start with another way to count ballots. Second, we need to make sure that no one can tamper with the way we count ballots. Third, we need to make sure that the way we count ballots has bells and whistles to catch any possible glitch that exists.

There is no reason why in this day and age we should not be able to have elections without worrying about votes not being counted or votes being counted that do not exist. I cannot help but wonder just how much of an ahem "mandate" Bush got in this election considering the problems that are being reported.

You can read the rest of the article here.

If your cordless phone gets attacked in a thunder storm and doesn't work ... don't talk to Donna's husband on your stationary phone. He will make you pee on yourself from laughing so hard. You will not be able to get away. You will be doing the pee-pee dance. Or the pee-pee jiggle, should you be sitting down. :)

The man is so funny ... he should be illegal. Really.

Address to Supporters at Fanueil Hall
Remarks as Delivered by John Kerry
For Immediate Release

Boston, MA - Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. You just have no idea how warming and how generous that welcome is, your love is, your affection, and I'm gratified by it. I'm sorry that we got here a little bit late and a bit short.

Earlier today, I spoke to President Bush, and I offered him and Laura our congratulations on their victory. We had a good conversation and we talked about the danger of division in our country and the need ? the desperate need ? for unity, for finding the common ground, coming together. Today, I hope that we can begin the healing. In America it is vital that every vote count, and that every vote be counted. But the outcome should be decided by voters, not a protracted legal process.

I would not give up this fight if there was a chance that we would prevail. But it is now clear that even when all the provisional ballots are counted, which they will be, there won't be enough outstanding votes for us to be able to win Ohio. And therefore, we can not win this election.

As I surf the blogosphere today and see the many responses to this election, I am sad to see the same ole Republican tripe that the "Left" is unpatriotic and needs to watch what they say. It is truly sickening.

So, I will just leave that discussion with this ...

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Via Random Fate

While I do not agree that Kerry should concede at this point, I understand why he is doing so. I don't think that the country is going to come together, though. I know that I am not going to pretend that I don't feel the way I do about this administration ... I know many people aren't either. Our principles mean something. We are patriots ... regardless of the misguided views of the "Right" ... and will remain patriots.

Unfortunately, I do not believe Bush will consider the amount of Americans who do not believe as he does and voted their conscience yesterday. I doubt that will sway him at all. So, we can all prepare for more of the same.

God save us.

I went to bed with no real results on who won the election and I wake up to the same. Honestly, I didn't expect we would know. I am not surprised that Bush is declaring himself the winner, and he may very well be. I don't agree with the Republican Party that Kerry should concede, and if it was the other way around, they wouldn't concede either until all the votes were counted.

I am real proud of the Democratic Party this morning, though. We campaigned hard. We really put in an effort. Considering the way the votes are falling, I think we did real well considering how hard it is to vote out a war time president.

I do believe that our party needs to focus more on Rural America, though. I know that even in Kentucky, Rural Americans don't know what is going on. They don't follow politics, policy, and such like they should. They are more concerned with the moral issues, which the Christian Right has been dictating unfortunately for four years.

I so pray for the day that Moderate Republicans take back their party and stop pandering to the Christian Right. I also look forward to the day that the Democratic Party returns to it's more moderate days as well. I think the Republicans are way too "Right" and Democrats are way too "Left" and that it is not good for our country.

We need balance.

Unfortunately, with the House and Senate ... we aren't going to have it. If Bush wins, as it looks he may, we definitely will not have balance at all. That worries me greatly.

On a very good note, though ... Obama won. Mark my words, he is going to be the one to watch. I am so proud to have that man as a member of the Democratic Party. He is truly amazing and I think he will do a lot of good.

Well, it's that time. I am getting ready to walk up to City Hall and vote for my candidate, Senator John Kerry. It is a vote I will cast based on research, four years of George Bush, and my conscience. I won't be blogging the election today, though. After I cast my vote, I will go spend some time with my husband, and then I will keep my eyes glued to the Election coverage on TV.

This year, I am voting all Democrat. While I am a Democrat, in years past I have voted for a mixture of candidates, from all parties. Not this year. This year, honestly, I am afraid to vote for any Republican considering what has happened to their party. The Christian Right scares me ... and I am a Christian. They have way too much control of that party right now. I look forward to the time when the moderate within their ranks will have control again.

So, I leave you with this ...

Give him a reason to flip you off today.
Vote for Kerry - Edwards! :)

To me, this is utter bull. I don't believe that any party member should be allowed to intimidate voters or question their right to vote. Republicans should not be able to question voters and Democrats should not have to be there to offset the intimidation. Neither party should be allowed within polling areas, except to vote.

High court clears way for Ohio poll challengers

The 6th Circuit judges said that while it's in the public interest that registered voters cast ballots freely, there is also "strong public interest in permitting legitimate statutory processes to operate to preclude voting by those who are not entitled to vote." Smooth and effective administration of the voting laws means that the rules can't be changed hours before the election, they said.

The dissent by Judge R. Guy Cole said the Ohioans have the right to vote without the "threat of suppression, intimidation or chaos sown by partisan political operatives," and if voting rights are pitted against the possibility of fraud, the court must err on the side of voters.

Read more here.

For sometime now I have had serious issues with Bush using God to influence people to vote, to fear, and to follow. I am a Christian and I pray to God daily. When I hear Bush talk about how God is leading him in the things he does, I cannot help but cringe. It just feels false to me. God does not lead anyone to sin.

Today, on Care2, a lady had posted about an article from Arianna Huffington. It expresses a lot of my feelings on the subject and I think it is a very good read.

Faith Abuse: When God Becomes A Campaign Ploy

The second way the president is corrupting his faith is by using it as a marketing tool designed to garner support among the over 60 million Americans who identify themselves as evangelical -- particularly the 4 million born-again voters who stayed home in 2000.

Nowhere is this blending of church and campaign more evident than in "George W. Bush: Faith in the White House," a DVD being distributed to tens of thousands of America's churches.

Although not officially the work of the Bush-Cheney campaign, it obviously has its approval, and indeed was screened at a party for Christian conservatives hosted by the campaign at the GOP convention in New York.

In the documentary, President Bush is presented as a man with "the moral clarity of an old-fashioned biblical prophet" -- and is shown sharing a beatific split screen with the Son of God himself.

So, in 2004, Jesus is not only the president's favorite philosopher -- he's his surrogate running mate. I'm surprised we haven't seen any "Bush-Christ 2004" bumper stickers yet. It would make for a heck of an October surprise.

All this pious posturing is also being used as a cudgel with which to attack John Kerry, portraying him as a sorry second in the faith sweepstakes.

Forget that Kerry carries a Bible and a rosary with him on the campaign trail, used to be an altar boy, and has said, "My faith affects everything that I do." The Bushies have made it seem as if they are running against Joe Pagan. Just check out the "Kerry: Wrong for Catholics" page on the official Bush-Cheney campaign Web site.

What's next? Attack ads from Altar Boys for Truth claiming Kerry never actually swallowed the body of Christ during communion?

Click here to read the rest of the article.

This is just what I wanted to hear! I am praying it does not get overturned and will be surprised if it does.

The order by U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott found that the application of Ohio's statute allowing individuals to challenge the legitimacy of a voter at the polling place was unconstitutional.

The presence of challengers inexperienced in the electoral process questioning voters about their eligibility would impede voting, she said.

Mark Weaver, lawyer for the Ohio Republican Party, called the ruling erroneous and said the party would ask the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati to overturn it.

You can read the full story here.

Voting is the most direct way for you to affect your government -- don't let anyone deprive you of this precious right! Read through the list below and be aware of your rights before you go to the polls, and use the information below if you encounter any harassment or intimidation.

• You are entitled to vote without being harassed or intimidated by anyone.
• Bring personal identification with you to the polls (driver's license, government ID, bank statement or utility bill). If you forget your ID, you can still vote. (In some states, all you need to do is sign an affidavit. In others, you can vote by provisional ballot.)
• If records show you have moved, you can vote by signing an address confirmation.
• If you are in line at the polling place before the polls close, you can vote.
• You have the right to receive a demonstration of voting equipment before voting.
• If you are disabled or are over the age of 65, you have the right to an accessible polling place and help in voting.

If anyone challenges your right to vote:

• Talk to the Voting Rights attorney at your polling place.
• Ask for the name of the person who is denying you the right to vote and write it down.
• Ask to talk to a supervisor and lodge a complaint.

For a printer friendly version of your voting rights, please click here (PDF).

You can also download and print these Election Protection cards from MoveOn PAC. They have some very important phone numbers to call on them in case your right to vote is violated (PDF). If you can, print as many as you can and pass them around.