Ron Howard on Voting

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and Vote! about something you care about.


Technorati Tags: Vote, Presidential Election, Ron Howard

A Breath of Fresh Air

Recently I came across a letter to the editor from Pat Pope Hartman of Courtland Virginia titled "Palin is a breath of fresh air". Here's an excerpt from that letter to the Tidewater News:

"I would like to ask people if they want our politicians to be cookie cutter robots that speak the same rhetoric. Personally, I like to hear the facts straight up and to the point. I am not so snobby that I cannot listen to someone with a more down to earth speaking style.

I would like to take this opportunity to state that I hope Virginians are listening to what the candidates are actually saying instead of their style. This presidential election is the most important election that I have seen in my lifetime."

The author is exactly right - it is the most important election in our lifetime. None of us want a president that's cookie cutter, a robot or speaks the same rhetoric - it's not what we want at all. The facts would be nice and not some regurgitated garbage that was fed to a candidate an hour prior. Some knowledge of facts would be alright as well - Sarah offers us neither.

We all strive to find "The One" that will lead us out of the muck in which we are currently stuck. "The One" that can restore our status in the International Community. "The One" that offers a new view, a new vision and true leadership.

None of us, most of us, are not so snobby that we "cannot listen to someone with a more down to earth speaking style." But we need someone who has a basic concept of what the government is, what it's role is, what the job is. We need someone who can represent in a fashion that takes out out of Hicksville, where we've been living as a country for the past 8 years, and move us back into a position of leadership.

It is time to throw the cowboy hats and the good ol' boy colloquialisms. It's time to circle the wagons, gather our country together, and move forward to the future.

Any questions about clarity? Read the Palin Passage section of this blog.


You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Technorati Tags: Virginia, politicians, election, The One, leadership

Divest for Darfur - Sign the Petition

In my continued campaign to raise awareness on global issues such as genocide and oppression of peoples in Darfur I would ask that you take a moment and read the following relating to Divestment and what you can do, it's as simple as signing a petition.

Have you heard of divestment? It's one of the key tactics that was successfully used to end apartheid in South Africa and it can help end the violence in Darfur, too.

To "divest" means to withdraw investments from companies that are supporting the genocide in Darfur by doing business with the government of Sudan.

Join me in fighting the genocide by urging Franklin Templeton, JP Morgan Chase, Capital Group/American Funds, Fidelity, Vanguard, and other investment institutions to divest their holdings from any and all companies doing business with the government of Sudan.

Click the link below to sign the Divest for Darfur petition now and help cut off financial support for the government-sponsored violence in Darfur! Divest Now

Diplomacy is crucial, but economic pressure may prove an even more powerful way to force Sudan to cooperate with international efforts to end the genocide.

Sudan has been very responsive to economic pressure in the past so we have reason to hope that they will pay heed to the divestment efforts.

Please do not stand by while the violence continues - you can make a difference.

Click Divest Now to add your name to the Divest for Darfur petition.

Then please ask your friends and family to join you in supporting divestment.

If you'd like to make a donation to support the campaign, visit the link below now.
Donate

Thanks for your help

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Technorati Tags: genocide, oppression, Darfur, Divest, Sudan

Papercages

I'd like to give a BIG shout out to Papercages for jumping in and joining Team SCREAMING at the TV! at KIVA.

Papercages is one of my favorite reads. And it's one of the first places I head when I need to laugh at all of the crap that life throws my way. I suggest you jump on over to Papercages Blog and give it a go.

Her honest and heartfelt wit can make even a grumpy old man like me stop screaming and smile.

PC, Thanks for joining the "Team".

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Papercages

Palin Passage: The Real American Joker

Obviously Batman has taken the night off and the Grumpy old men weren't around to watch out for the latest Palin Passage... I really have to get new help!

Here I was thinking that I'd be able to give politics a break for a day or two. You know, life has been crazy; trying to catch up on bills, running the kids to 5:00 am hockey practice and 7:00 pm volleyball practice, drum lessons and, Oh, this new thing I'm doing called "Looking for a JOB". I thought for sure I'd be able to focus - oh hell, who was I kidding?

I turned on the TV tonight and what do you think happened?

Yep, you guessed it I started SCREAMING at the TV. Come to find out that I am NOT a REAL AMERICAN according to one Ms. Sarah Palin. Imagine my shock and horror. After all these years - I am a man without a country, or at least a countries identity.

I don't live in one of those cozy little cottage towns / townships. I'm not a factory worker, I'm not off defending our country (entirely different rant on that one), I don't live in one of the "Very Patriotic, Very Pro-American" areas of this great nation. You know what Ms. Palin - Screw off! Who are you? Come on, really, if I don't live in the hamlets of America then I'm not a real American, are you serious?

Here's a joke for you... What did the squirrel say to the bear? Hey wanna see my nuts! .... The punch line? The squirrel holds up a picture of Sarah and John and says "here's my right nut and my right of right nut!"

I have gut ache right now. I can't believe that my service to my country means nothing because of where I live. I can't believe that all of these years of studying voting pamphlets and then voting, educating myself, working hard, paying taxes, raising a family and contributing in so many ways means absolutely nothing.

You want to hear another joke? This one is played on the world and is one along the lines of a great Shakespeare tragedy: Ready, it's a one liner.

McCain/Palin Elected.

That's the *&^# joke. Sarah and the Republican spin doctors that are feeding her that political enema filled with small town Americana that she regurgitates - that's the joke.

The Obama campaign, whose spokesman Bill Burton asked in an e-mail to reporters, "What part of the country isn’t pro-America?"

Ms. Palin? Care to answer? I'd love to hear it - I really want to know. You know what? No, I don't want you to answer, don't bother, it will be crap and wont make sense anyway.

Here's what she said: Washington Post

“We believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. We believe” — here the audience interrupted Palin with applause and cheers — “We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation. This is where we find the kindness and the goodness and the courage of everyday Americans. Those who are running our factories and teaching our kids and growing our food and are fighting our wars for us. Those who are protecting us in uniform. Those who are protecting the virtues of freedom.”

Colorado Independent By Jeff Bridges 10/20/08 2:30 PM

With Sarah Palin’s stop in Colorado today, I have to wonder — does she consider our state pro-America? Are we “real America,” or part of that other America? I only ask because at a fund-raiser in North Carolina last week, Palin talked about how wonderful it felt to be in a “pocket” of “what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation.”

Don't let US, the REAL AMERICANS, be the joke - go out and vote.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Technorati Tags: Patriotic, Politics, American, Arizona, Pro-American politics

The Cost of Dreadlocks

Off of the Political rants for a moment - there's something far more pressing that needs to be Screamed about. Okay, maybe not "far more pressing" but it's something that I've been chewing on for a couple of days.

As you may remember, from previous posts, my oldest son is about to turn 18 in a couple of weeks. Yes, that magical number that we all look forward to. The one that says "Hey Damn-it! I'm an adult - back-off! I can do what I want." always followed by the parental statement of "Not as long as you live in my house. You WILL abide by my rules - period - end of discussion." of course it never is... at least not here... sigh... Parenting hand book where are you?!

The most recent case of parental heartburn is caused by non-other than The Gift/Curse of my loins. The Curse has, for the past six years, worn the same hair cut. A barbershop clipper cut #2 blade all the way around, short sideburns and rounded back. So easy that for years I've been cutting his hair and saving the $12.00 it would have cost to pay someone else for the cut. At first the cut annoyed me, mainly because - to me, there was no style to it - but over time I've grown used to my boy and his "Curious George" hair style.

While we were in San Diego attending our friends graduation from Marine Boot-camp, and while we all were enjoying a relaxing time on the beach, The Curse decides to announce that he's going to grow "dreadlocks". Okay, so I'm not shocked by this, at 18 (prior to joining the Army) I had hair to the middle of my back (the important part of that fact is: I had hair - not so much anymore) I'm pretty liberal when it comes to what the kids want or don't want to do with their hair. They've had long hair, short hair, Mohawks, designs cut-in. It's hair - no biggie. I look at it like, okay, you're only young once so you might as well enjoy it. It's a passing phase; a statement for shock effect; go be a rebel with your hair who cares...

A week or so passes and it seems unusually quiet. The Curse isn't hounding me to cut his hair, trim him up or any of the other usual badgering that come with his grooming habits. Maybe he's serious about this Dreadlocks thing. Then, one night not too many nights ago, he announces at dinner that he's found the information, the "How-To's" of Dreadlocks.

Okay, good, son.

AND, there's a shop in town that will do it once his hair gets to be at least 3-inches long...

Okay, good, son.

AND they don't charge a lot.

hmmmm...

Now, just to refresh the background on my son: He doesn't drive, doesn't have a license - not a bad thing really. He doesn't work - has only had 1 part time job since he turned 16 and it lasted 3 weeks. It cramps his style... Holy Crap! It cramps my wallet! But because he tends to struggle in school we have told him that his primary focus is grades. The counter to that in our minds is that... since he continues to struggle in school his butt should be out working regardless. We've talked and talked and restricted the cash flow and done everything we can think of... yet my lovely little curse refuses to work... so the conversation over dreadlocks continues:

Young man, you are getting ready to turn 18. Mom and Dad have just paid for a Class Ring, Graduation Announcements, Senior Pictures, and your birthday is in a couple of weeks - not to mention Christmas - how do YOU plan to pay for these dreadlocks? Maybe you'd better get a JOB...

Dad, fine if you won't pay for it then I'll just use my allowance.

AND the heartburn sets in.

Allowance!!! YOU ARE 18 FRIGGIN' YEARS OLD!!! Allowance! Allowance is when I ALLOW YOU to keep living here, eating me out of house and home. Allowance is when I ALLOW you to live here rent free. Allowance is when I don't ask you for money for running your TV all night or leaving the lights on in the bathroom. Allowance is when you don't have to pay utilities. Allowance is using my phone nonstop from the time you get home until God knows when at night - Allowance?!! Are you KIDDING? Hell, I can barely get you to mow the damn yard without me having to ride you like I'm in a !*$% rodeo! GET A JOB. Allowance? Are you KIDDING me!?!

Son, do you really think that you're going to get allowance when you turn 18?



Yes......................

Maybe it was an unwarranted rant... maybe. Maybe it was just my wallet channeling through my voice-box saying enough is enough... maybe. Maybe it's a Father trying to help his son stand... maybe. Where's that damned handbook? My wife is always telling me not to throw the owners manuals away.... I know it's around here somewhere.

Here's to Dreadlocks.... and.... SCREAMING at the TV!



You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Team SCREAMING at the TV!

As I continue to publish my blog I find myself deeper in research and like many things the more I research the more I learn and the more I learn the more I understand just how few of us use the voice that we've been given.

Please join me in a continued effort to use our voices. For those who can, join and make a loan.

For those who financially can't loan at this time consider this: A burger, fry's and a large drink for a family of four will cost you more than a loan that can change someones future. If you still can't loan, and trust me I understand if it's not possible, join anyway there may be a day when you can. Let's show the world that words can lead to actions.

Join team SCREAMING at the TV! at KIVA.

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Peace.

SCREAM,KIVA, Join Team SCREAMING at the TV

Arizona Supresses Votes... Oh so Subtly

Secretary of State for the great state of Arizona, jan brewer (Rep.), is enforcing an election polling place "Dress Code". This is just another way that the Republican party is trying to insure that their man get's in. jan brewer is helping the Republican party with their voter suppression strategy. And you want to know the really cool part about this? Jan wasn't even going to tell the voters! There was no announcement, no news blip, no 30 seconds on FOX anti-NEWS, nothing, not until the ACLU challenged her and then it was the ACLU that talked not JAN!

Here's the gist of what jan brewer stated: Any voter wearing a button, pin, sticker, t-shirt or any other form of candidate or proposition support will be in violation of the Arizona Campaign Laws. Arizona campaign laws bar voters and poll workers from wearing anything that displays a political message within 75 feet of a polling site. County officials will enforce the rule actively. Voters will be required to either turn their clothing inside out or cover it up. Your buttons and pins - well, you'll have to remove those and put them in your pocket before you can vote.

Okay, so why say it's voter suppression? I personally have never worn a T-shirt or campaign button to a polling place, but if you look at the overall tone of this election combined with the very strong drive and support from the young voters; many first time voters supporting Obama, you can see how this may have an impact. You're not dressed appropriately you need to get out of line until you are... think about it.

Supporters of specific candidates will be easily identifiable if they are sporting a button, sticker, t-shirt or other paraphernalia; "Excuse me miss, you'll have to change. It is against the law to vote with an Obama shirt on." Effectively weeding out certain supporters and sending them away, hoping, I'm sure, that they are not able to make it back in line before the polling places close.

AZCentral.com Reports: "Voters may be forced to lose their place in line to alter their clothing and not have enough time to return, particularly if it is late in the day," Dan Pochoda, ACLU's local legal director, wrote in a letter Thursday. "The gratuitous loss of this fundamental right is not acceptable."

In a letter Friday, Secretary of State Jan Brewer rejected ACLU's interpretation, saying any political display by a voter near a polling place is "clearly electioneering and may not be permitted."

Clearly the Home State of John McCain is worried that his 7 point lead isn't enough for him to carry Arizona and Jan Brewer being a good soldier for the Republican Party is doing her part to help the cause.

I'd normally say screw the system, wear your button's, T-shirts, hell show up covered in Obama bumper stickers, but this time YOUR vote and YOUR voice and it is far to important. Go, go silently and vote - make sure your ballot is cast and cast it for the future. Yours, mine, the children and our country.

One last thought from me; I find it interesting that this law has been on the books for all of these years and Jan Brewer picks now, this historic presidential election, to enforce it. Nice. If you must protest - wear duct tape over your mouth as a sign of how you've been silenced.

Read more at: AZCentral, Daily Kos

Read more about Republican Voter Suppression at: Blog for Arizona The Raw Story and Brad Blog

You have been given a voice, use it. Go out and SCREAM! about something you care about.

Technorati Tags: voter suppression, jan brewer, Obama, Campaign Laws, Arizona politics