Palin-- maybe even worse than McCain.

Yesterday was John McCain's 72nd birthday. If elected, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for "inexperience," here's who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.

Huh? Who is Sarah Palin?

Here's some basic background:
She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.

1. Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.
2. She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.
3. Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.
4. She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.
5. She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.
6. How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.

Here's a sample of Alaskians sharing their opinions:
--She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK

--She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She's a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK

--As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK

--Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK

--She's vehemently anti-choice and doesn't care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK

--I think she's far too inexperienced to be in this position. I'm all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn't done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain's part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he'll get our vote by putting "A Woman" in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AK

So Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced. In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.

In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.

informative- and boring.

This is going to be a lame post to catch people up on my life.

The dogs are doing well. Class is still a lot of fun and they learn really quickly, so we're having a great time. We've already signed up for the intermediate obedience course to start about two weeks after this basic course is over. And a new fun development-- when they get back from the dog park and have been swimming for over an hour, they pee everywhere. Both of them peed on the bed yesterday, then Zulu peed again on the futon. Awesome. So the new precaution is to walk them evey half an hour after we get back from the dog park until we seem to be in the clear. Although I'm not sure yet when that is...

I found a place to live. I'm moving into a house with three other girls. And I'm sure that anyone who knows me just laughed, perhaps guffawed, heartily. My track record for living with women is... well... less than impressive. But, I'm going to give it the old college try (well maybe not college, seeing as that's when the problems were!). Plus, it's only for 6 months. And there's a backyard for the dogs, it's 10 mins from work, and it's in a nice neighborhood. Liz is the girl on the lease for the house, she's 23, and a nursing student at UCO. Torrey is the girl I was looking for places with before, she's 22 and a student. The third girl is unknown, but has a small dog, and I'm PRETTY concerned about that. My dogs are still playful puppies.... and they're going to play... and small dogs= chew toys... right? Shit.

Erin is coming in September. She gets here September 12 (right?). I'm way pumped about that and I'm going to take a day or two off of work to hang out with her. Then two months after that I'll be heading home for two weeks for winter break. I get back to OK January 3 and I'm done my service term March 3. So REALLY... it's not so bad. I have 85 WORK days until I'm home again for break. I can do this! The rest of my time here is divided up nicely, so I'm hoping I can just stick it out. For anyone who doesn't know my current... situation... I'm not going to post it on the internet. I'll do that after I'm done my term and can speak more freely without fear of backlash.

Zulu is cuddled in a blanket next to me, snoring happily, so I'm going to go snuggle up to her and enjoy my quite Saturday night with Harry Potter and his tales of witchcraft and wizardry! Sad news though for you Potter fans-- the release date of the next film, Half Blood Prince, has been pushed back from November 2008 to July 17, 2009. But, here's the trailer anyway. After you watch that, click on "daily prophet" and read about the HP exhibition and THEME PARK coming in sping of 2009!!!! WHO'S COMING WITH ME?!!

MY State of the Union Address

In trying to start writing this entry, I find it hard to know where to begin. To me, the state of affairs in this country is appalling, at best. There are so many reasons, I don't know where to begin. But, I'm going to ramble through it, expelling my ideas and hopefully inspiring some to actually THINK about what is going on, rather than just "taking the pill" they're given.

I've heard some people argue that the war, even if it was/is unjustified, is started and we should "finish what we started". I don't even know what this means, nor do I think it should hold any merit in any educated argument. Backing out of the middle east is just what the doctor ordered, for us, and for them. The civilian leaders of this nation have the RESPONSIBILITY to not spend the brave and honorable blood of our soldiers without a danger to our nation, in a war founded on lies and falsities. We should not be fighting a war for "freedom" in another country. If their people want freedom so badly, they should stand up and fight for it themselves now. We have given them the tools necessary for them to continue on. They need to fight for their own freedom, just as our forefathers fought for ours. Freedom is not a gift. George W. and the US can't neatly package and deliver it to end the tyranny in Iraq or Afghanistan. Helping is obviously not bad, we wouldn't be free if others had not pitched in and helped our cause, but there is a difference between support and doing the whole damn thing for them.

Blindly following is not what democracy, the intention of our country, was built upon. We were formed on the idea that the citizens have the responsibility and DUTY to hold the leaders of this country accountable for their actions. To hold valuable the government "of the People, by the People, and FOR THE PEOPLE." These words are not heeded, and the condensing of the entire weight of the government into the White House-- into Mr. Bush's hands-- is terrifying, to say the least. He has far overstepped his boundaries, he has LIED to the country he serves- an impeachable offense- and still continues on his money-grubbing, self righteous war path. Using our freedom, OUR RESPONSIBILITY to our country to question this isn't unpatriotic. In fact, it is the most patriotic act one could make in these treacherous times. When our leader is subverting the Constitution of the United States, when Congress illegally abdicates it's responsibility to declare war-- the law has been broken. In order to remain a free nation, not a dictatorship, we must speak out against such injustice, such tyranny. If we do not, and we allow this type of mindless war to continue, it will undermine and weaken our defenses against ACTUAL threat. Currently the military cannot recruit enough soldiers to maintain the strong, robust militia we once boasted. It is a struggle to keep those already in the military after their term is up. Is it no wonder that these brave men and women no longer want to fight in a war with a clear agenda-- that has nothing to do with the American people and their liberties? Because of this, if there were to be an definitive, peril threat against our nation, our government has exceedingly weakened the capacity to which we may defend ourselves. This damage is tragic, and was avoidable, if Americans had taken their freedoms seriously and stood up for their inalienable rights.

Backing out of this war, as both Presidential candidates intend to do (thankfully), is the best way to revitalize our military. While, yes, there may be deaths- and some terribly tragic- because of it, it will be NOTHING in comparison to the devastation that will be felt if we stay in this wrongful, deceitful war. The soldiers and civilians deserve the right to regroup and rally around each other, to come home and lick the wounds that have been inflicted by our own totalitarian government, and to reclaim our FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES from the dictatorship our country is turning into.

The Declaration of Independence says, "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, IT IS THEIR DUTY, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

My friends, our country is in a sad state of affairs, for sure. Our President (not MY president) has utilized his time in office to be self-serving and egocentric. He has fed his own mouth and padded his own wallet. And his last GREAT act was to allow off-shore drilling. Drilling that will not bring usable oil for over a DECADE, but will certainly grease the pockets of himself and his cohorts. Furthermore, the chance of irreversible damage to our country and its wildlife is dramatically exacerbated by this gluttonous decision. I am personally appalled by his very existence, and even more appalled by the puppeteers behind this slack-jawed yokel.

rank poop.

No, the title is not meant to be a commentary on the stench of poo-- or maybe it was? But, it was also meant for you to do this poll: poo

That's right. Let's talk about it. Because my next post is going to be about politics, so why not just talk about all the things you aren't supposed to discuss openly? I'll start with poo, move to politics, and round it out with religion. Somehow that seems to be a natural progression.

Anyway, back on track: poop. Poop is a necessary evil. Actually, I don't find it to be evil at all... so, really it's just necessary. It's mother nature's way of saying, "Alright kiddo, time to throw some dead weight overboard so you can stuff your face some more!" It's glorious the way our body naturally and automatically deals with the toxins and unwanted garbage that goes through our system. What a well oiled machine evolution has delivered us!

Plus, poop is ALWAYS funny. Even when most adults (and by this I mean women... and pretentious people) won't admit it... SHIT IS FUNNY. I haven't come across a poo joke I don't like. I mean, it's a common thread among all things living. Every living species has waste-- why are we ashamed of it? Clearly having an aversion to eating or touching shit is probably a good way to keep humans seperate from animals by a level of sophistication, but that doesn't actually make shit not-funny. I mean, who doesn't laugh at a monkey-flinging-poo story? Or when a grown man shits himself? Or when a child is startled by his father jumping through the window wearing a warewolf mask and shits himself... who DOESN'T laugh???

And lastly, it makes everyone seem more... something... human maybe? when they talk about their bowel movements. Has your boss ever suddenly digressed that he's been constipated? Has your teacher ever mentioned their current stomache issues? When people do, it sometimes breaks down barriers that are created by the social structure and allows us to be genuinely... human... with one another. If turds can do that-- why not love them?!

Besides, when you're at work and you take a shit, you're actually getting PAID to shit! How cool is that?!

Student Life

So, there's a student meeting in my office at work. I don't mind it, in general... you know, the incessant banter, the obnoxious "he said, she said, OH EM GEE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT SANDRA?!" stuff... but there's this ONE GIRL. I mean, she talks faster than any okie I have encountered thus far. In fact, I bet she'd put the majority of the east coast to shame. She's a serority girl/valley girl/asian... the combination equal MIND NUMBING CHATTER. Oh, and to add to it she literally calls EVERYONE her best friend. And I mean EVERYONE. When the group is talking about that special guy, she'll proclaim something like, "Oh yeah, I totally saw him at the fair the other day, and he asked me about our algebra homework, we're TOTALLY BEST FRIENDS NOW!" And everyone BUYS THIS SHIT... "oh really? that's so awesome!" Then two minutes later she's talking about how her best friend isn't talking to her and it's breaking her heart... due to some drama from the last frat party or some shit. And again, everyone swoons, "oh you should tell her if she's your best friend!" SERIOUSLY?! no. So, I was talking to Benny online, and the convo went like this:

me: "For FUCK SAKE that asian student is back in here for a meeting. The one with a voice that makes me wish I were being crucified, covered in honey, and put into a field of fire ants, rather than continue to listen to her. And she talks SO FAST. I've never heard an okie talk this fast!"

Benny: "Punch her in the head."

When I'm old...

...I'll be the menace I always truely wished to be. In general I'm a law-abiding, first (okay maybe second) class citizen in the good old US of A. But, when I'm old, all that shit is changing. I'm talking smoking pot on street corners- unless there's a cooler drug by then, and I'll do that instead. I'll also refuse to wear pants, and even if I don't need to, I'll be sporting some depends. I'll even go in my depends if I want, then I'll get off my motor scooter, and change myself right there on the side of the road, or in front of the supermarket, or wherever I happen to be. I'll just stand up, rip off the old, replace it with a fresh one, and jump back on my motor scooter-- ciao! In stores I'll bump into children, and other objects, with my motorized shopping cart, still in only depends and a flowery, grandmother-eque, button down shirt. I'll fill the ENTIRE basket on the front of that damn thing with pickles from the barrel-- no bag, I'm environmentally conscious, thank you-- and top it off with a pack of depends. I'll go out with curlers in my hair, dye my hair blue; and not that HINT of blue that the old ladies do nowadays... no no, I'll go full on ELECTRIC BLUE. Plus, I'll stock my entire closet chock-full of mothballs. Not because I find it even remotely necessary, but because that's how old people should smell. And when I get ready and I'm WREAKING of those mothballs, I'll throw on a dash of baby powder and think to myself, "There we go, that'll do the trick!" There I'll be, rockin in my hideous shirt (I think you have to hit 70 to earn the right to wear one of those shirts), depends, a pair of filthy sandles (with socks, naturally), old lady cataract sunglasses- the brownish wrap-arounds, you know the kind- with my blue hair done up in some suh-weeet curlers, riding my motor scooter, or motorized shopping cart, smelling like mothballs... loving every minute of it.

a case of the Monday's

So, I definitely have it. A case of the "Monday's" that is... not VD. Still free and clear of that one. Instead of trying to find productive things to do at work, I'm looking up travel abroad, volunteer abroad, semester abroad, work abroad-- anything abroad-- and fantasizing about the day I can do some of these things :) I still haven't submitted my grant application yet, mostly because I'm apparently incapable of clicking a "submit by email" button the right way. So I've re-typed the damn thing 5 times, and you can't save it (fucked if I know why. Maybe they're worried someone will-gasp- save a copy of their grant application!) so I have to keep re-typing it when I SOMEHOW ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE BACK BUTTON AND IT'S GONE FOREVER INTO INTERNET OBLIVION! Which reminds me that I really like the song "beautiful oblivion"... by someone. So, anyway, I'm going to have to type it AGAIN... and hopefully actually submit it this time.

I've been feeling guilty about possibly leaving my dogs behind for a month... but then I think about it in the greater scheme of things, and it's not so bad. I had confirmation of this last night at the dog park. The people at the dog park are just as pathetic about their dogs as I am. I have a little group of people whom I know by their dog's names. Only one guy have I bothered to find out his real name- it's David. Anyway, Peanut's dad and David both agree that going away for anywhere up to a few months and leaving your dogs behind so you can fully experience a new culture and something different is totally legit. David is currently dog-sitting for two dogs whose parents (yes, we call ourselves parents, it won't change, so stop slamming your head against the keyboard... it'll be okay) are away for a month doing some fun European adventure. Being reassured that a getaway for myself isn't selfish or a rediculous thought, I'm excited again about the prospect of traveling! There are only two things that must be ordered off this menu: a month of volunteering in Cape Town, South Africa (what I'm sending in the grant for), and a semester of grad school abroad in New Zealand. These things would be seperated by at LEAST a year... so again, I feel vindicated in my desire to travel. My parents will watch the dogs if I go to South Africa for a month, so I could probably con them into it a second time :) Although I'm certain Zulu will shit ALL OVER for days after I leave because she can't just go down to the corner pub for a nip of gin to bust the anxiety she feels when I leave. Shitting on EVERY surface of the household is obviously my second choice to drinking away my sorrows.

Sunday Cuddle Day

Sunday's I have declared "Cuddle Day". This means that the dogs and I take the comforter from my bed and pile onto the futon to watch movies all day. Sometimes I order a pizza, or maybe I just have a bowl of ice cream for lunch, and we just enjoy the day. Currently, because I'm typing and not cuddling, Zulu is going all ninja-cat on me and keeps laying her head on the keyboard. When I was a kid my cat would utilize this tactic, as do most cats. If you're writing they use your pencil as a scratching post for their face, if you're reading they make your book their bed. Well, Zulu does that too, only she's NOT the size of a cat. She's 35lbs of dog. On my keyboard. And usually I'm the sucker who reinforces the behavior by putting down the computer and cuddling her-- which is what she wants. You would think this dog got no love whatsoever if you've been reading my blog. What with her shitting on everything, but honestly, she gets more attention than most children do. It's kind of sad, and I wish I had more to do so I could be less lame about my dogs... but I don't... so I am.

So now I need to go to blockbuster, rent two movies, come back and cuddle with the pups, then it's obedience class at 5 o'clock :) A nice little Sunday Cuddle Day.

5-OH!

So, last night we got home from a lovely evening out, and I'm all sitting here, minding my own, fussin' on the dogs, when I hear the tell-tale "BOOUP BOOUP" of the police siren. Now, I don't get the little "boooup" noise they sometimes emit from their cars. It's not the full siren action, it's kind of a little blip of the siren to just get your attention-- or be as annoying as fucking possible. Is there a button in there that the cop just gets all DJ Jazzy Jeff on? 'boop booup boop' jigga whaaaat?!!

So, then there's a spotlight, and I'm all- holy shit is that pointing at my car? Well, no, but there's a dude behind his car-- or his woman's car-- and he's standing behind it, in the spotlight... I'm waiting for JAZZ HANDS! none. So, these three burly cops are out there chatting with him. Well, two are talking him up while the third is all up in his car (like a mini horse all up in the booty of another mini horse). So I go all incognito and switch off the lights real fast- this isn't a DEAD giveaway that I'm spying on them, clearly. So, I eeeease open the sliding glass door... and try to take a listen. They're MAYBE 50 ft away, but somehow I still can't make out much of the conversation. The one burly cop is all rolling around in this guys car like a fat man in a cruise ship shower stall, and the other two are yacking it up and sort of chuckling with this guy... I mean, what's going on there?? "Ohh, hey Mr. Black crack-head looking guy, we're going to lube up this oversized cop and shove him into your car for some giggles-- sound good to you? Yes? great." So, I'm so proud of myself for how clever I am to think of inching open the sliding door so I could get a better listen... then I look around the area, which until this point was nowhere near as intriguing as the fuzz... and discover that the neighbors are out of their apartments and inching closer and closer to the scene. So here I am, kneeling by a cracked open sliding door in the DARK only 50 ft away... and they're out there climbing out of the woodwork, shamelessly walking up to the handcuffed crack-head and co. Aren't I silly.

At any rate, nothing seems to come of the encounter and the cops all leave with jovial laughs and handshakes, "oh, thanks for the good time tonight Mr. Crack-head! See you again next week, same time? Bye!"