Names

A word about the title...I've had some people ask me about it.

I ideally want to create a safe and intellectual place where people can discuss social and political issues in our world. I like the idea of agreeing and disagreeing, because it things interesting. More so, I like the idea of discussing and analyzing.

A lot of issues appear to be black and white because of the partisanship that permeates this country, but a sane person knows that our world is greyscale. Personally, I like the direction Obama is going so far because he disagrees with partisanship. I have read of many liberals who are already dissatisfied with the president elect's picks for Cabinet positions and the gripes that the Senate is not filibuster proof. I think this is how government should be: a reasonable balance of power.

But I digress.

I'd like this place to be one where we can be adversaries and friends in the most positive sense, no matter our stance or associations. Because like snowflakes...

One good turn...

Reaction to Newsweek.

Thanks to everyone who emailed me this!

More marriage

I couldn't say it better.

Thanks, Newsweek.

Economy

This news is horrible.

I went to Kohl's the other day with my friend and fellow Student Council co-advisor to purchase the rest of the items for the annual adopt-a-family service project. Needless to say there were a lot more people this year who needed help. And it's worse than you think. We had families who were asking for towels, sheets, and blankets rather than books, hair products, and toys. Anyway, the guy who was checking us out was pretty cranky, making snarky comments about how homeless people were treated better than he was. I basically ignored him, but then he told us that he was working at Kohl's because he got laid-off. He kept asking how we got the information on the needy families (the district liaison) and what experience one needed (don't know). I basically sussed out that he had a college degree, got laid off, worked at Kohl's for the holiday rush, and pumped people for job leads as he worked.

I remember a year ago when the bad economy seemed like playground rumors. Why wouldn't it? I haven't lived through anything like this before--at least as an adult. I am constantly worried that my husband will lose his job, after all he works in cabinetry. I get frustrated because he was put on salary and is making less, and they haven't given him a raise (and probably won't for awhile), but then I feel VERY guilty because there are people who would love a job. I no longer read about people this economy is effecting, I KNOW people who can't find a job, who have foreclosed on their home, who stand in line for public assistance, who don't have gifts for Christmas, and...

It isn't going to get any better any time soon, is it?

Democracy

I don't understand. If most Americans are opposed to the auto bailout, but politicians in DC are pushing to make it happen, then how are we living in a democracy?

Also, head colds make people really grumpy.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Napolitano

If you aren't local, you are about to hear that name a lot, but not if I have my way about it. Janet Napolitano (yes, the one spoofed on SNL last weekend) is the Arizona governor and she was just offered the position of secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

She is the governor of our reddish state and I like her a lot. A lot.

She is hugely controversial, mainly because she is a Democrat in a red state. Seriously, go here and here, and check out the reader comments. Eventually you will run in to comments about her being ineffective, a dyke, or some other irrelevant observation. This two-term governor kicks ass and I love it. In 2002, before the economy suffered a coronary she was able to create a surplus (attention Repubs: without raising taxes) and then used some of that to put into public programs, like education. You know, that pesky area of seemingly little concern nowadays, that Bush put federal mandates on and not only didn't give funds to support it, but cut the money for... She gave teachers a one-time bonus, provided funding for all day kindegarten, and created literacy programs too.

So here is the thing: she was just offered the secretary position with the Obama administration. I'm totally not okay with this for a variety of reasons. First of all, I don't want to lose my governor, who will be replaced by Jan Brewer--who I refuse to say anything about at this time because the only thing I know about her is that she is a Republican. Not fair to judge. Mainly, I think Homeland Security is a bunk job. Okokokok, I know it is important, but I don't think it necessarily highlights her abilities, no matter what those articles I referenced say. Here is a little something from Montini from The Arizona Republic, who I believe sums my feelings up quite well.

That would be tough to pass up, even if she is offered the WORST job,
which is Homeland Security.

The head of Homeland Security only
gets in the news when something really bad is happening. If things don't go
well, the Homeland Security secretary will take ALL the heat. If things do go
well, the president will get all the credit.

Then again, as the
Secretary of Homeland Security she'll probably have a lot more to say about
border issues than she did as governor.

She'd be a dummy to not leave, really. If she goes, she is able to avoid some major budget issues and come out relatively unscathed after we all lose our pants and (maybe, fingers crossed) enough so to run for a Senate seat.

She will be missed...