Rock on Obama!

Economy -- Of the People, By the People
President-elect Barack Obama has directed the Transition's economic team to develop the details of a bold plan to save or create 2.5 million American jobs by 2011.

Watch the President-elect's Weekly Address, I'll put a link on the right so you can just click. If you go to www.change.gov you can also share your thoughts, questions, or ideas. This is amazing. He is going to start a 2 year works program, I'm thinking like FDR, and the jobs will not only fix roads, bridges and modernizing schools, but push forward green technologies, like wind turbines, solar panels, and fuel efficient cars, etc. Now this is what I'm talking about, and he is not only helping our fragile world environment, but helping the economy at the same time. Brilliant if you ask me. Apparently he is also going to be doing weekly addresses, imagine that, us knowing what's going on all the time.

Lawrence Summers has been picked to lead the national economic summary, he did work for Clinton, but he has no speaking filter, so we'll see about that one.
I wanted to put the Utube right here, but I do not know how! Grrr. Sorry. http://www.change.gov/page/s/economy

On a completely unrelated topic, did anyone catch the news about the whales in Australia that beached themselves. They were able to save 11 but 53 died. 53 that seems like so many. There isn't anything on the net yet about it, I'll keep looking. 53 seems like too many and then I find that on November 29 in 2004, 72 pilot whales and 30 bottlenose dolphins died after beaching at Sea Elephant Bay, Tasmania. This was on the coast of Tasmania too. Why are the animals doing this? Some say they are sick and so they try to go off but then their entire pod follows them. But that doesn't seem likely, I think we need to figure this out. It is so heartbreaking.

Captain Hogwash whales beach themselves in beautiful N.Z. too, any ideas over there why they do this?

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all! In my town they have just decorated for the holidays and I was pleasantly surprised. On the lightposts there are banners, and this year the banners say, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Tis the Season and you would never believe it but there are Happy Hanukkah banners too! Hurrah. We finally rate a banner. It pales in comparison to the 35 foot tree, but what the hey, we have a banner! Life is good. Happy Holidays to all, no matter what your holidays are. After we get through Thanksgiving that is. Yummy!

www.change.gov - The Obama Biden Transition Team

I wrote a letter to President-elect Obama. They want to hear from us, and have a website set up. I knew he'd be different! Well, it seemed to me that Obama is hearing from everyone right now, so he might as well hear from me. I thought I would share with you what I wrote: (Maybe you might email President-elect Obama too, let me know if you do, even those of you that never comment!!)

Dear President-elect Obama,

I am writing to offer you my sincere congratulations on your election to be President of our amazing country. I‘m glad my vote counted! I teach my students that no matter who we are or where we come from the most important thing we all have are our voices. When we join our voices with other likeminded voice, we are heard and we make a difference. I thought I needed to add my voice to the chorus.

I am writing to urge you to address our environmental concerns first. If we do not have a world that will sustain us, than what is the point of everything else? For instance, why is the government going to bale out the auto industry? These same people have been ripping us off with their gas guzzling cars for years. These are the same people who built an electric car that the drivers loved, but only leased them instead of selling them, and then took them all back and crushed them whereby setting back our freedom from dependence on foreign oil at least two decades. All of that to make the auto dealers and oil companies rich. Why not let them fail and make room for entrepreneurs and new companies to provide us with new technologies for our transportation that are green and do not rely on petroleum based products. I understand people will need to change jobs, but just like the blacksmiths found new careers when they built cars, so too will the auto industry employees. Clean energy pursuits can create millions of new jobs.

It seems change is only scary until it is done; things seem impossible to do until you finally just do them. This is our time to stop doing what we have always done - taking care of the consequences later. It is later, and we have to deal with the consequences if we are to survive as a race. Not to be selfish, but I am a teacher who is trying to raise a child on a teaching salary alone with no help, I have $40,000 in student loans, I knew I couldn’t afford a house so I didn’t (but it is our dream), where is my bailout? My retired father had to supplement his retirement by working at a retail store which just closed, where’s his bailout? The earth is being destroyed by human activities and carbon dioxide emissions, where is its bailout? We need to think about sustainable energy, we need to think about new initiatives to help us move forward, we need new ways to join the myriads of research and new ideas together to help develop environmentally renewable resources, and we need to think globally. We are hardworking Americans, we will get by, but our world may not without our help.

Now while you are getting us straightened out, could you help the mothers who can’t even go out of their refugee camps to collect firewood to cook for their families without getting shot or raped in Darfur? Please.

Thank you for listening,

911 Holiday Shopping Tip! You must read:

When shopping for loved ones this holiday season, I urge you not to forget my favorite online stores, the greatergood.org. They are the The Hunger Site Store, The Breast Cancer Site Store, The Child Health Site Store, The Literacy Site Store, The Rainforest Site Store, The Animal Rescue Site Store. The stores are all linked together for more effective giving and shopping. You can shop by looking at the products and then benefit whichever charity the item is linked to, or you can shop by the charity and chose a product linked to that charity.

I go to http://shop.thechildhealthsite.com and then click on Global Girlfriends and when you purchase an item first, depending on what you spend a certain number of cups of food goes to help the hungry. Then best of all Global Girlfriends are items created by women in other countries, like Nepal, Maasai (in Kenya), India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and others. These businesses were created to help women worldwide gain economic security for themselves and their families by earning fair wages for their handiwork, Global Girlfriend sources women-made, fair-trade imported, eco-friendly products. By supporting long-term partnerships with the artisans, it fosters equal employment opportunities, healthy and safe working conditions, technical assistance, and development strategies to help reduce poverty, one community at a time.


For instance, if you buy a Window to the World Messenger Bag for $18.00, you are not only buying a great gift for someone, especially in these times of reusing cloth bags to help the environment. But these bags are handmade by women rescued from a life of sex trafficking as part of Freeset Bags - a unique social enterprise in Calcutta, India. Each bag tells the story of one woman's journey to freedom -- from a life of rampant poverty and forced prostitution, toward a life of dignity, a living wage with decent hours, and the opportunity to become literate. What is more, it allows these women to lead by example -- providing a role model for their daughters and other young girls in showing them how to break free of cycle of poverty and despair. By purchasing this bag, you become a vital part in their journey toward freedom -- both economic and spiritual.

Check out this place to shop, help the world and shop from the comfort of your own home. There is something for everyone in these stores, clothes, jewelry, house decorations, holiday ornaments, bags, garden items, candles, and more. You can search for a place and get all of the items for that place, I search for Israel and get everything they sell that is made in Israel. Helping our global economic depression, those less fortunate, and getting your shopping done - it's all good! I urge you to go and look! Shipping is only a flat $3.95, and sometimes they have shipping specials and it is even less. You can’t beat that price for shipping, one book on Amazon.com is $3.99, just to put this shipping into perspective. I have been happy with every order I've received, I wear my T-shirts all the time! *Links on the right

While you are there add a dollar or two on to contribute to Habitat Preservation at the Rainforest Site. Since The Rainforest Site began in 2000, together we have funded the protection and preservation of more than 41,000 acres of rainforest habitat. Your daily click and your Rainforest Site store purchases, combined with those of many others from around the world, have helped protect vital parts of these ancient, complex ecosystems in Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay and other locations worldwide.
Every bit helps, even an amount as small as $1. You can donate any amount over $1 by placing the $1 donation in your shopping cart and increasing the quantity -- perhaps a special number to honor someone's birthday. Your purchase is tax-deductible in the U.S.A., and you will receive a receipt from GreaterGood.org for your taxes. 100% of this gift goes directly to GreaterGood.org and is earmarked for habitat preservation groups.

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day to all! We will always remember those who fought, and fight, to give us the freedoms we so carelessly enjoy. And we will teach our children to remember and honor too.
Do not stand by my grave and weep ... I am not there;
I do not sleep.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds
circling in flight.
Do not stand by my grave and cry ...
I am not there. I did not die.
-- Royster

They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them . .
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them!
-- Lawrence Binyon


Yesterday, I picked up my girl from school early because the nurse called. On the way home we stopped at Michael's to pick up a craft for her to do in bed. While in the store we saw a man in his Army fatigues and boots. I have taught my daughter to say a simple "Thank you" to soldiers. She went right up to him, "Sir, thank you for keeping our country safe." I was so proud, and truly thank all of you sirs and ma'ams for keeping us safe...

For fun, I would like to put up a poem that my seven-year-old wrote today in the sick bed. I think she's gifted, but I might be slightly prejudiced. And it has nothing to do with Veteran's Day... or does it?

Sky of Doom

Doom
Sky
Mean
and
Nasty
and
Cruel.
Lightning
and
Thunder
Crash
from
the
Sky
at
You.

24/7 - Not!

This is so strange, I have a new credit card because I am trying to get some credit going. I have a bill for $99.98 at Toys R Us at the end of September on there. And I'll tell you what I do not have hundred dollar toy in this house, or a bike, or a musical instrument. And I certainly don't give gifts that nice (I can admit it). One would think that I would remember spending $100. I have just wandered around my daughter's room and the living room and there is no evidence of any $100 toy, or even 2 $50 toys. Is my memory really that bad? I called the credit card people, they said to call Toys R Us. Toys R Us website says that they are open 24/7 to service their customers. So you call the 24/7 customer service phone line, and there is a recording that they can't help you and you need to call back during regular business hours Monday through Friday, what the Heck! That is no 24 hour customer service!! Who are they kidding? Ridiculous I say. Something funky is going on around here...

Mazel Tov President Obama!!!

People who are unhappy about the leadership in America used their voices tonight with their votes, and they were heard! Mazel Tov President Obama. My hope for America is that now we can stand together, work together, and create a country that is united, ready and willing to create a better version of our America, a better version of our failing economy, and a better version of how we defend ourselves with all of our honored military forces. I hope all Americans will be better able to see ourselves as so much more the same that seeing ourselves as different. We are now not elephants and donkeys any longer, we are not not blue or red, we are red, white, and blue and together we stand!

Tonight Hope Ruled! Tonight people with the power of positive thinking ruled! Tonight History Was Made!

Senator McCain, I have to say although you did not win tonight, you went lost with class. Your concession speech was respectful and followed what America told Washington tonight, we want to be positive, we want to hope for a better future!

Mazel Tov President Elect Obama

When were you born?

My folks were up for a visit this weekend, so we went to an Andy Warhol art exhibit. It was an exhibit of his political work. We enjoyed it immensely, and my daughter learned all about the assassination of JFK in 1965, three years before I was born. I told her that more than once. My parents told her all about where they were that day, and what a shock to the nation it was. Loss of innocence, I say. When my mother spoke tears came to her eyes a bit even today, about sitting in front of the TV for days and the world just stopping, our country anyway. It was all very affecting and memorable, I thought. My daughter was keenly interested.

Ok, do you have a Scholastic Children’s Dictionary? If you are parent of a curious kid like mine, or have to buy a gift for a child this $19 book is worth every dime. My daughter’s favorite part is the listings and pictures all of the Presidents of the United States; she is always looking through and telling me things. Great book buy it.

Anyway, to put these two things together: Two days after we were home from the exhibit she’s reading her favorite book and says to me, “Mom, Theodore Roosevelt was born October 27, 1858.”
“Wow, he was? That’s interesting honey.”
“Isn’t that when you were born?”
Aahhhhhhhhhhh, I think my head spun around three times on it’s own, as I was trying to turn around and look at her! Ha ha. I guess it’s close, 1968 – 1858. We’ve got to do a lot more math around here! Kids they keep you young, or turn you into a fossil...

Thinking About Wrong Turns...

My friends, both professionals, just rounded off their families in a most delightful and significant way with a little girl from Vietnam who needed a home. I think that is so amazing. My other girlfriend and her husband adopted a little girl from Korea when she was little, and she is incredible. When I get to see her I like the chance to talk to her or play with her. She is so bright, but smart enough to be a bit shy. I think I might have missed the boat in this lifetime to be able to do some thing that amazing for a person. They also are giving those children's natural families a gift (if they had families alive), the gift of knowing that these children who they couldn't take care of will have a safe environment, all of their physical and emotional needs met, love and from people who will always respect the child's culture. Sometimes the best thing you can do when you love someone is to let them go, like my mother did me. Thank you to my natural mother, whoever you are. These families saved these children from lives in an orphanage, while not the most horrible thing if they are well treated, it is definitely not the same as being raised in a loving home. My friends new little girl is becoming acclimated to her new situation and isn't ready to meet a bunch of people yet, but I can't wait to meet her.

I am writing about his because I kind of feel left out. I am a very loving person, with a humongous big heart, and I would love to be able to help another human being like that. My daughter's heart may even be bigger than my own, so she would love it too. But all choices having added up to this moment in my life, as a single mom and a teacher it is not possible. I will never be able to make that big of an impact on the world. I'm saddened by that. Believe me I think back to the two times I was engaged and took off running (literally one time), and wonder what would have happened, and how things would be different. I do not honestly feel that if I had married either one of those individuals that anything like that would have ended up being possible either.

This is not regret for what I have done, and my whole life, because if I hadn't had a "challenging" past, I wouldn't have had my daughter and I wouldn't have gone to college at 33, graduated and become a teacher (which I love). There are no other children I could imagine instead of my daughter, and there are honestly no other children I could have imagined as my students. Especially my first class of Seniors when I was a student teacher, they surely did "break me in" well. I have no regrets about my past, except for now. Now I am not in a situation where I can save the world. I want to save the world. If I could adopt a child who needed love and a family, I would hope I could march right over to Darfur and adopt a child who has lost his or her parents due to brutal government sanctioned murder and show them a different world. A world where a mother is not scared or being murdered or raped just to go and find firewood to cook for her family. A world where genocide is not allowed. Why is that still going on?

I'm sorry I can't save the world, I've made some wrong turns.

My two friends and their husbands are saving the world with what they are doing, and they humble me. I think also because they already had their own children, and chose to help a child, it is so huge and so commendable. As an adopted person, I know these children are loved just like the other children are. Surely the parents can't see their own physical features on their adopted children, but they definitely can see their mannerisms, their teaching, their conditioning, it shows - I know it does. (Sometimes I sound just like my mother!)

There is an Jewish proverb, "Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world." Thank you for saving the world from the rest of the world. And thank you for saving the world from those of us who wish we could too. Bless you and your beautiful families.