OUR INVITATION TO HEAR BARACK OBAMA SPEAK

Barack Obama gave a speech at my college today and I was invited to attend. If you want to know what he spoke about and what I think scroll down to the end of this post. If you want to know what it's like going to a Presidential Speech...listen up.

My husband, my son and I all attend the same college. We've even taken a few classes together so we're known by some of the staff there. We have fun with it and I enjoy the fact that we're giving our boys strong examples that learning is a lifelong adventure.
But I digress...

We got a call from the White House Volunteer Ticket People this past Sunday...No that's not their official title but I forgot what they said on the phone just after the "White House" part. My mind must have shut off after that part because this is what I remember.

"Hello Mrs M, this is The White House..blah blah...tickets...blah blah...Obama Speech...would you like to attend?"

I don't think it's a secret that I didn't vote for President Obama, however, I've never seen a sitting President in person so my answer was yes to the ticket question. I was given instruction about where to get the tickets. I went the next day to grab them.

I held 6 tickets in my hand. Brian couldn't get off work to go so I called my dad in Kentucky. He came up the next day so he could go with Kazz and me. The other 3 tickets went to a friend of mine who works with teen foster children. She took 2 teens who have lived through the foster care system.

The person who gave me the ticket told us to arrive by 12:30 because that is when the "doors" would open. We thought we were being given special treatment because the ticket said that the doors would open at 1:30.

That night, however, we were all watching the news and found out that the President's plane would not even be in our state until 2:30!! What was worse was that he wasn't going to speak until 3:30!!

When we took into account that we weren't allowed to bring anything into the speech other than a camera and our car key, all of our minds started to question whether this was going to be fun or not.

THEN we found out that the speech would be given outdoors. Well, that's about the time my dad decided this was not the place for him. He went to visit his mother, my grandma, while Kazz and I mapped out our plan of attack for the day.

Kazz and I hit the road at 11:00 a.m. We went to Wendy's and ran through the drive thru. We still had an extra ticket to see Obama Speak. While we were waiting at the Wendy's Drive Thru the young man at the window made a little small talk with us and smiled a lot. He seemed like the nicest guy...so I gave him the ticket. He was flabbergasted and took it with much thanks and wow's. He was going to have to feign illness to get off work but that's what has to be done to see the President now and then.

Kazz and I arrived at the College Campus at 11:30. By the time we walked the half mile to the entrance we could see that about 200 people were already waiting in line to get in. We made small talk and chatted. We waited in line, got interviewed by the Detroit Newspaper and made small talk with others about under wire bras, metal detectors and pocket change.

The sun was so bright. I should have brought sunglasses.

At 12:30 we were ushered up to the metal detectors. I put my cell phone, camera and car key on the table, walked through the metal detector and was told I was all clear.

NOW MAY I REMIND YOU PLEASE that I was NOT "All Clear." That metal detector should have gone off. Why? Hellooo... Click Here That metal detector didn't make a peep! So much for security. If anyone knows the president, please let him know HIS metal detectors don't catch 10" plates of metal...but the airport's DO!

After that interesting development, Kazz and I walked around the building to see that there were rows of black chairs placed on the street in front of the stage area. There were 2 bleachers alongside the area also. We were ushered into seats on the ground in front of the stage. Fifth row back, isle seat.

Then we waited. We were told that there was water available so Kazz went to get some.

There were about 8 water coolers full of water that was warm and tasted like a brand new water hose smells. That delicious taste had to sustain us for 3 hours in the hot sun with no shade. We were sitting there in mid-day heat, seats tied together at the bottom and no other means of food or drink.

Needless to say, people were getting a little uncomfortable. Sweat was glistening in the sunlight. It was a beautiful sight. People chatted and texted at will. We looked for secret service agents and found them.

We faked sightings of famous people...until I actually saw some.


The Mayor of Detroit, Dave Bing arrived in the crowd.

There were other politicians there but I only recognized faces. Their names escaped me.

Three hours we waited. My face is sun burned to say the least. THEN...a helicopter flew overhead. People stood and ooohh-ed and aaaahhhh-ed like they had never seen one before.

The voice on the intercom came on to ask everybody to sit down. They sat.

A secret service man came to the front..."Ladies and Gentlemen in the front row. If the President decides to walk along this outer edge you may place your hand out in front of you to shake his hand. PEOPLE BEHIND THE FRONT ROW STAY IN YOUR SEATS! IF the President WANTS to shake your hand, he will. If he does not want to shake your hand he won't. If he shakes your hand, shake it and let it go. DO NOT hold on to the President or try to hug him. If you hold on to him, WE WILL HOLD ON TO YOU!"

We got the idea.

We saw our Governor, Senator and other politicians walk by and sit. A man came up to say the Pledge of Allegiance, a young woman sang the Star Spangled Banner, a MCC graduate told his story and then the President was announced. Here is the video of his arrival to the stage...

We snapped a few photos. He talked about 15 minutes and it was all over. We had waited in line 1 hour and waited in seats, in the heat, with "hose" water for 3 hours to witness a 30 minute program of which the president "may" have talked fifteen.



Ooookay then...

It was an experience. I don't think I would want to wait in the sun that long for this type of event again, but now I can say I and my son have witnessed a Presidential speech. Good day, all said.


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Now for the run-down of the speech.

I'm going to school to earn a Counseling Psychology degree. Kazz will graduate this year with a business degree. The college we picked to get our degree pioneered a program where they work with 4 year Universities so that students can actually earn a Bachelors, Master and even a Doctorate by attending their Community College!

Many community colleges throughout the country now use this type of partnership but Our college started it.

I believe that is why President Obama picked Macomb Community College to deliver his speech today. This is where he introduced The American Education Initiative. Billions of dollars are going to be spent on American Community Colleges so that more men and women will be able to earn an associate degree. This plan will make America Number One in the world for college graduates! We will be able to compete with other countries and rise to the top of educational standards in the world again.

The plan sounds great since the money that would have been given to banks will now be given to the people so it will pay for itself and create jobs in the process. Basically the Community Colleges will get more money so they can serve more people.

Yes, that's it. What did you expect for a 15 minute speech? See how we felt?

ABORTION LEGAL EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME, NO PROBLEM

This is a cut and pasted article from Freepublic. I did not write this but felt the need to pass this information along. I'll be watching this closely as I hope all people will.

Even those who are pro-choice may be on board for stopping this action. Choice does have a place in religion also correct? Why would our government force a Catholic Hospital, founded by obviously Catholic people to perform operations that are absolutely against the Catholic teachings?

Nobody in the land of the free is for that, are they?


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Forceful on FOCA

Bishop Paul Loverde of Arlington, Va., had this to say last week about his response if the abortion lobby’s Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) becomes law:

“I would say, ‘Yeah, I’m not going to close the hospital, you’re going to arrest me, go right ahead. You’ll have to drag me out, go right ahead. I’m not closing this hospital, we will not perform abortions, and you can go take a flying leap.’ ”

The Internet news service CNSNews.com reported Bishop Loverde made those comments to an audience of young adults at a Nov. 25 diocesan discussion about the implications of FOCA. In the video clip that accompanies this post, President-elect Barack Obama promises Planned Parenthood in July 2007 that he will sign FOCA as his first act as president.

FOCA would mandate the removal of virtually all federal, state and local restrictions on abortion.

There are no Catholic hospitals currently open in Bishop Loverde’s Arlington diocese, but his comments were intended to drive home the total opposition of the U.S. bishops to any kind of compliance with FOCA.

A number of commentators have suggested since Obama’s election that his pledge to sign FOCA means little. They say there is little chance Congress will pass the legislation, which was first introduced to Congress in 1989, even though the pro-abortion Democratic Party now has strong majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate.

But 2009 will mark the first time since 1994 when both houses of Congress and the White House are all in Democratic hands. Douglas Johnson, legislative director of National Right to Life Committee, has warned this circumstance could embolden Democratic leaders to make a determined bid to pass FOCA.

Only time will tell if there will be a strong push for FOCA in the next Congress. But if Congressional Dems do decide to let it languish instead, the determined opposition of Church leaders like Bishop Loverde and other U.S. bishops will deserve a lion’s share of the credit.

— Tom McFeely

UNITED NATIONS COULD TRUMP AMERICAN LAW?

I read this today on the Home School Legal Defense Association website. I think it was interesting enough to share with the readers of this blog. I am interested in your thoughts.

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Washington Times Op-ed—U.N. Treaty Might Weaken Families

by J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

One of the issues American families could face this year is the ramifications from a treaty called the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

You may ask, “How could a treaty directly affect internal decision-making by American families?” We generally think of treaties as agreements affecting international relations between countries. The U.N., however, has initiated treaties that not only affect international relations, but also the domestic relations of member nations as well. These treaties, sometimes called “conventions,” require member nations that ratify the treaty to implement the requirements as binding law or rules.

On Nov. 20, 1989, the U.N. adopted the CRC and submitted it for ratification to the member nations. It has been ratified by 193 nations—the United States is one of the few countries that has not ratified it.

The ratification process requires a two-thirds vote by the U.S. Senate. On Feb. 16, 1995, Madeleine Albright, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., signed the CRC on behalf of the United States. The CRC, however, has never been sent to the Senate for ratification because there is insufficient support to pass it.

Due to the recent election, however, there are rumblings from Capitol Hill that there will be an effort to seek ratification of the CRC during the next congressional cycle. Hillary Rodham Clinton is a strong supporter of the treaty, and as secretary of state, would have direct control over the submission of treaties to the Senate.

Why should passage of the CRC be of concern? It likely would have a negative impact on domestic law and practice in the United States. Article VI of our Constitution makes treaties—and remember, conventions are viewed as treaties—“the supreme law of the land.” The CRC would be treated as superior to laws in every state regarding the parent-child relationship. This would include issues regarding education, health care, family discipline, the child’s role in family decision-making, and a host of other subjects.

Article 43 of the CRC establishes an international committee on the rights of the child to examine compliance by member nations. This committee, which sits in Geneva, has final authority concerning interpretation of the language contained in the CRC.

Two central principles of the CRC clearly are contrary to current U.S. laws related to parent-child relationships. The CRC provides that in all matters relating to children, whether private or public, or in courts, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration. Additionally, nations should ensure that children are capable of expressing their views freely in all matters affecting them, giving due weight to the age and maturity of the child.

This is contrary to traditional American law, which provides that absent proof of harm, courts and social workers simply do not have the authority to intervene in parent-child relationships and decision-making. The importance of this tradition and practice is that the government may not substitute its judgment for that of the parent until there is proof of harm to the child sufficient to justify governmental intervention. It is clear that in two very important areas of the parent-child relationship, religion and education, there will be potential for tremendous conflict.

The international committee in Geneva, in reviewing the laws of practice of countries that have ratified the CRC, has expressed its concern that parents could homeschool without the view of the child being considered; that parents could remove their children from sex-education classes without the view of the child being considered; that parents were legally permitted to use corporal punishment; and that children didn’t have access to reproductive health information without parental knowledge.

The bottom line is the CRC would drastically weaken the United States’ sovereignty over family life, which would have a substantial impact on every American family. For more information on the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, visit www.parentalrights.org/learn.

Michael Smith is the president of the Home School Legal Defense Association. He may be contacted at (540)338-5600; or send email to media@hslda.org.

OPINIONS ARE ONE THING...HATRED IS ANOTHER

In this political soup that we live in, there are opinions flying everywhere. Debates are healthy and can be positive, even if heated. In light of some of the comments I've gotten anonymously I would like to share this video. I hope your children didn't see what you wrote to me.

Do I disagree with Obama? Yes. Am I a "racist, bigot?" No, I am not.

I am NOT voting against Obama because he is black. I am voting against him because he votes to the extreme far left when it comes to abortion. I am voting against him because he has not spoken openly FOR homeschooling without regulations. I am voting against him because I do not believe in his views. Period!

I choose to say that I am voting AGAINST Obama. I am not trying to make it sound sweet. I am trying to emphasize the fact that I am NOT voting 'for' McCain, though my ballot will be cast in his favor.

I am voting FOR Palin.

There is the difference.

I am not perfect. I am loud, opinionated and staunch on a few issues. When it comes to the issues of race, sexuality & tolerance, I've been told I'm too open. I've been told I need to "read my Bible" more. I've been told I need to speak against these things instead of speak of love for every human.

I love people. I love souls. I do not and will not allow my children or my household to spout nonsense that is directed at any soul just because of their ancestry or sexual orientation.

Before I am lumped into THAT mixing bowl, please think long and hard about what you decide to spout off with your quickly typing fingers. Calling me a "hater" "Biggot" and "Stupid Christian" only shows your own ignorance.

I will not vote for a person because he is black. I will not vote against a person because he is black. I don't care what race the person happens to be. I DO care if they hold my values to their heart. I make NO apologies for speaking out for my beliefs. I make no apologies for speaking against what Obama stands for on the abortion issue or the homeschooling issue. I make no apologies for calling McCain on the carpet about his marital infidelity.

I will not allow the race card to be played in this issue my anonymous friends...Not on this Blog. This is ALL about politics. Politics is heated. Use some facts and figures to back up your statements about me or shut up. Heated, healthy debate I can respect. Juvenile name calling and personal attacks on my character only exemplify that I'm battling wits with the unarmed.

McCAIN ROASTS OBAMA

I hope you have video capabilities. These are great! The first video is the first half. The second video is the second half. That's easy enough. :o)

UNLESS YOU OFFER ME THE VP POSITION...THEN I'LL LOVE YOU

It never ceases to amaze me what a politician will do. Biden spun his words one way to increase his chances of winning the Democratic nomination. He then threw out his honor to run for the Vice Presidency. What did I expect from a veteran politician? A little more tact I suppose, but I do lien to naivety at times.

OBAMA'S MAMMA ~ Setting the record straight

Oh My Goodness! I just got a spam email from someone who obviously "thinks" that because I support McCain/Palin that I somehow hate Obama. They thought I would find This Video amusing. I do not.

I want to go on the record that I do not hate Obama. I do not agree with his stance on many, many issues but I do NOT hate him as a person. I respect him as a person and a man who is doing his best to live his life according to his beliefs.

I am not against Obama because he is black or because of where he came from.

Though I agree that Bristol Palin should not be a target of the media I also believe that Obama would NOT want the media to use her as a pawn in the political game.

There is none among us who got to choose our family. We CAN however, choose who we surround ourselves with in this lifetime. We can choose the family we wish to create and we can choose the path in life that will lead us off the path we were born upon. Obama has chosen wisely and I respect that.

This is not funny.

Please do not send me comments targeting Obama unfairly. His voting record is up for grabs but his family is not. Thank you.

SARAH PALIN'S VOTING RECORD AND HER RELIGION...Vetoed taking away rights for gay people...

If you don't know enough about Palin you just aren't looking hard enough.

Imaging that!

In a nutshell, Palin is a Christian "right winger" who votes for her people regardless of her personal beliefs. I know that this will turn off some of my fellow right wingers (yes I think I'm right-ish) but I have to say, this makes me respect her all the more.

GO PALIN!

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Source

Now that John McCain has picked a little known governor, Sarah Palin, as his vice-presidential choice, what do we know about her views on religion and church-state issues? The Anchorage Daily News gave this some coverage during her 2006 run for governor. Here is an excerpt from an Oct. 23, 2006 article:

Palin's parents say they are not political and don't know how she decided to turn her ambition and work ethic toward politics. Her Christian faith, they say, came from her mother, who took her children to area Bible churches as they were growing up (Sarah is the third of four siblings). They say her faith has been steady since high school, when she led the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and grew stronger as she sought out believers in her college years.

Palin doesn't brandish her religion on the campaign trail, but that doesn't prevent others from doing so. After she was first elected mayor, her predecessor, John Stein, objected that a Valley cable TV program had hailed her as Wasilla's first "Christian mayor." In a column for the local newspaper, he named eight previous mayors and added that he, too, was a Christian...

And here is an excerpt from a Nov. 5, 2006 Anchorage Daily News article (via LEXIS):

A significant part of Palin's base of support lies among social and Christian conservatives. Her positions on social issues emerged slowly during the campaign: on abortion (should be banned for anything other than saving the life of the mother), stem cell research (opposed), physician-assisted suicide (opposed), creationism (should be discussed in schools), state health benefits for same-sex partners (opposed, and supports a constitutional amendment to bar them).

Palin and her staff complained that efforts to raise these issues in public were divisive and hypothetical. The normally unflappable candidate seemed put-upon when she faced a string of such questions in the last debate, on public television and radio Thursday night....

Palin said her reading of the Bible would not "bleed over into policy." But she has based much of her campaign around a close fundamentalist reading of another text - the state constitution - which she cited in nearly every debate as the source of her guiding principles.

Her respect for the state constitution was illustrated by her first veto as governor. Alaska's Supreme Court had ordered the state to provide health benefits to same-sex partners of public employees, finding that this was mandated by the state constitution's equal protection clause. Palin vetoed a subsequent attempt by the legislature to enact legislation to take away the same-sex benefits. After being advised by the state attorney general that the legislation was unconstitutional, she said that signing the bill would be in direct violation of her oath of office. (Anchorage Daily News, Dec. 29, 2006 article.)

UPDATE: Here is an Anchorage Daily News article from Oct. 25, 2006 quoting some of Palin's answers to church-state questions in a PBS debate during the gubernatorial race. On the teaching of creationism or intelligent design in public schools, she said:

Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And, you know, I say this, too, as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject -- creationism and evolution. It’s been a healthy foundation for me. But don’t be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides.

[Thanks to the Dallas Morning News for the lead on the Update.]

read from here

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LIVE FROM NEW YORK IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT...

And funnier than all get out! I see that I'm not the only one cracking up at poor Hillary. Though this skit is geared Left...it's SOO Right!

Welcome VP Palin!! Whoo Hoo!

OBAMA vs MCCAIN or VP vs VP?

Isn't this the truth?!

The way I see it, this year we have to choose an adulterous man who left his wife and three birth children for a rich beauty

or

a slick talking man who is known as the most liberal yet skates by scandal by voting present instead of voting for what he thinks is best.

I can't get fully behind either man...yet.

Show me something new guys
or
I'm going to have to cast my vote for a
Vice-President this year.

What a shame!

OH NO! JOHN McCAIN ... SAY IT ISN'T SO!

Carol's words

'I hold no bitterness.'
‘My marriage ended because John McCain didn’t want to be 40, he wanted to be 25. You know that happens...it just does.’
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She's a better woman than I. He left his 3 children and the woman who stood by him and protected his mental well-being while he was a POW! Holy Smokes!

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The following snippet of information was taken from an Article appearing in the US Veteran Dispatch

"Before John McCain's tour of duty in Vietnam, he married Carol Shepp, a model from Philadelphia. On his 23rd bombing mission over North Vietnam in 1967, McCain was shot down and captured.

While he was imprisoned, Carol was in an auto wreck (1969), thrown through her car's windshield and left seriously injured. Despite her injures, she refused to allow her POW husband to be notified about her condition, fearing that such news would not be good for him while he was being held prisoner.

While still married to Carol, McCain began an adulterous relationship with Cindy. He married Cindy in May 1980 -- just a month after dumping Carol and securing a divorce. The newlyweds honeymooned in Hawaii." Read more here...

BRISE, AGE 11, POLITICAL PUNDUNT

On Super Tuesday Brise stayed up past 1:00am watching the election coverage. I was astounded that a boy who only turned eleven years old 3 weeks ago would be so interested in politics. He has been asking question after question about the political process happening lately and I've done my best to answer.

"What is a primary?" "What is a Caucus?" "What is a Republican?" "What is a Democrat?" "What are we?" "Can I be whatever I want?" The list goes on.

For the record, our kids stay up until the wee hours of the morning playing video games. We're just odd like that. So, No, he wasn't just trying to stay up late. He actually chose political coverage over video games!

I wondered if Super Tuesday would be the end of it, but a couple of nights ago Brian and I were watching one of the politicians give a speech. Usually Brian and I are alone in the living room watching television in the evenings. Our sons are usually hanging out with each other in our den downstairs after dinner. This night, and for many nights now, Brian and I have had company. Brise has been seated in the chair watching the political happenings with us. He walks into the living room, checks out what we are watching on tv and if it's a politician or a pundunt he plops down and joins in on the viewing.

On this particular evening the speech went on and on and I wondered when Brise would get bored enough to leave.

Politician: paraphrasing here..."I will pass universal health care, I will set a date to get out of Iraq, I will raise minimum wage every year to keep up with the cost of living..."
Brisan: staring at the television, matter of factly, and without missing a beat...
"If he raises minimum wage that will make the price of everything else go up."

I was shocked. He's not only listening to the people, he is understanding what they are talking about and he is reasoning.

wow...eleven...wow

Then came the question I couldn't answer.

Brisan: "Why can't I vote?"

Me: "Because you are too young. You have to be eighteen."

Brisan: "Why?:

Me: "I don't know."

They can work at age 14, pay taxes and be tried as an adult, yet cannot vote. Go figure.

THOUGHT IS HAPPENING!

SUPER TUESDAY IS COMING!!

Isn't this the most exciting presidential campaign in our lifetime?
It's amazing!

I found that history may be repeating itself, only stronger. A little known fact here is that Victoria Woodhull, a famous suffragette, had received the nomination of the Equal Rights Party in 1872. Her running partner was none other than Frederick Douglass, the former slave and famous abolitionist. (White woman, black man)

I wonder if this will be the case this year, in reverse? Time will tell.

My prediction about Huckabee is off by a long shot, which makes this process more of a thrill for me to be sure. Yes, he started strong winning the first primary. I felt pretty good about my prediction but something in the air changed. This is not our usual election my friends. (yes, stating the obvious)

The rising interest in blogging and reading blogs has brought a deeper and more personal view into the hearts and homes of millions. People can read and share in the privacy of their own home. Thought can happen without heated, in your face exchange.

Dialogue is happening! Thought is happening!

The horrible economy, the war, and immigration are all rolled up into one big ball of
"CHANGE HAS TO HAPPEN!" in the minds of most Americans. Our country is waking up!

Each person is FORCED to care in this election. We are actually WANTING to vote!

People are beginning to vote, not from the pulpit but from their own conscience and heart. Why?
There are more "open" Christians running! In past elections there were pretty distinct lines drawn in the sand about our president's belief system. (ie: Who is steering their moral compass.)
Preachers could pick one and go with it. This year...preachers Are Torn BIG time.
For those who usually listen to their pastor and go for it, well they are out of luck. In this race there are no clear cut answers to "what kind of believer are you." In this race the question has become, "Are you telling the truth about being a believer?" and "What are you going to do with that belief?"

YES indeed, Dialogue IS happening! Thought is happening!

Who is the wolf?? If you aren't a wolf, Are you going to run politics as usual or are you going to steer with a different wheel? OH There's the real question!

Obama and Hillary have a real chance. McCain is older than dirt and republicans have to be a little scared about that going into the elections.

I wonder what Super Tuesday will hold? I wonder who they will pick for running mates?

Wonder, wonder!! HOW FUN IS THIS!!

PFFFTTT!!!!

My mother sent this to me in an e-mail. Apparently there is a whole following of good 'ol Maxine that I've been oblivious. I'm liking good 'ol Maxine. She certainly isn't from California!

Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately; illegal immigration, hurricane recovery, alligators attacking people in Florida.

Not me. I concentrate on solutions for the problems.

It's a win-win situation.

1. Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border.

2. Send the dirt to New Orleans to raise the level of the levies.

3. Put the Florida alligators in the moat along the Mexican border.

Any other problems you would like for me to solve today?

COULD HAPPEN

I found This article interesting about Ron Paul. He's only one year older than McCain.

And though I'm not a one issue voter this sets him apart from McCain also...

"In 40 years of medical practice, I never once considered performing an abortion, nor did I ever find abortion necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman.

In Congress, I have authored legislation that seeks to define life as beginning at conception, HR 1094."

The article states...
"Fueled by the generous donations of Paul believers, the congressman was probably the most successful GOP fundraiser in the fourth quarter, acquiring nearly $20 million...So, while the "front-running" Republicans each win one state and no one builds up a head of steam, Paul just keeps hanging around, like a bad cold. Some of the other Republican candidates should be careful, lest they get the sniffles one of these days."

What is his voting record? Click if you're interested.

SPIN-OFF:(comment 3) HUCKABEE HUB-BUB

From Penny Thoughts
The Queen Mum wrote:

"Ok I'll bite- how can both the NEA and HSLDA be for Huckabee?..that's my question for the day;)"
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Wow, thanks for an easy one mum. lol

Obviously all I can give here is my opinion from my knowledge and experience. So, here is some insight into my opinion on this subject.

It amazes me that people will shout from the mountain tops that we need a leader who will listen to all sides of the issues but when we find someone who does just that thing...we drag him through the mud!

It says a lot that both the NEA and HSLDA back Huckabee. I view this as a wonderful sign that Huckabee is a man who will Listen, ask questions, inquire, become educated on the issue and vote his conscience, rather than vote his pocketbook. Both groups deserve to be respected and heard; After all, we are all working toward the same goal. Not only does it show that he's open to all sides it shows that there are intelligent people leading both the NEA and the HSLDA who recognise an open politician when they see one!

I've been watching these debates with interest. There is A LOT to be found in the way of voting records and situational voting as it pertains to Huckabee...way more than I care to re-check and it has been carefully and thoughtfully written here. I read it and well, so what? Neither side got their way on the issue...whahh whahh boo hoo... Let's all grow up, suck it up and learn to compromise, shall we?

After one gets over the fact that the vote wasn't whole-heartedly in favor of allowing homeschoolers to take the child out of school at a moments notice, one must think to themselves..."Is this really a horrible vote?" The parents have to give 10 school days notice and then they'll be able to homeschool. There was a compromise on both sides of that issue and the result was a 10 school day waiting period.

There was a compromise. Is that a bad thing?

My father was in politics at a minute level. He was a city councilman in a small town in Kentucky. He served quite a few terms. In that time our family learned a lot about how elected officials are expected to vote FOR everybody and AGAINST nobody. That, sadly enough, cannot be done. The best that we can all hope for is that our candidate will listen. If they listen we can HOPE that they will do what is right IN THE SITUATION they are placed in at that time.

For every vote cast by a politician there are usually many meetings with people and organized groups that help the politician become aware of the issues and the worries by both sides. The politician must weigh his conscience carefully and vote for what is best for the people who elected him. However, sometimes there is no middle ground when voting. In that instance, he must vote for the lesser of two evils. Or he decides not to vote at all, thus wasting a valuable voice on the issues. Some would rather save-face than compromise for both sides. That is not my idea of good leadership.

The more I watch Huckabee, and listen to his words, I find that he's not particularly "on the" NEA's side or "on the" side of homeschoolers. The words that hail in my mind, from Huckabee, are these...

"We are all responsible to educate our replacements."

He is "on the side" of education...no matter who does the educating!

It is important to note that he's for education. He's for helping teachers in the workforce and for allowing homeschoolers to continue homeschooling. (please click those links and listen) Those are not bad things. They are good things. So that begs the question, why did he vote the way he did in Arkansas?

There are points in ones political career where two sides must meet, voice their problems and successes. From that meeting a political official only has so much time before he must find, in his heart, the best vote to match his own comfort level for that particular situation. That sometimes calls for compromise between two sides of an issue. The problem is that in a normal situation, when two sides compromise, they usually shake hands and go on with life. In politics, compromise happens with the vote of one man or woman. There is no shaking of hands and nobody gets to win. The politician is then made to be the bad guy by both sides.

That is the only time when compromise is a bad thing because both sides expect their leader to "pick them" over the other.

In Huckabee's case it is becoming apparent to me that he wants to allow all adults to educate their young. He advocates for teachers and for homeschooling parents. He is truly for both sides but because he is a believer in both sides he's been made out, by some, to be a traitor to both.

I've said before than I would love to see Ron Paul make it to the presidency, however, Huckabee has the guts to vote for compromise, when Ron Paul may just decide not to vote at all if he doesn't get his way on the issue. I have to ask myself; Is that what I want?


Huckabee is a man of thought, insight and compromise. I do not think that is a bad thing. He's a politician willing to pull two sides together in order to highlight those things they have in common for the common goal of educating our children. For some, that is worry-some, for they don't know which way that compromise will fall. I, on the other hand, would rather have a man in office who will truly listen to all groups involved in an issue, rather than someone who has their mind made up before they even have a meeting.

At the end of the day there is THIS. (scroll down to watch)

I'll vote for Huckabee if he's on the ticket.

That's my blog. I'd love to see other opinions.

MY PRESIDENTIAL PREDICTION

Okay, here's a secret that only my parents and my husband know.

Ever since I was a little girl I've been fascinated with the presidential elections. I very much enjoy watching "presidential ramblings" and even as a child I loved listening to adults debate the presidential elections and issues. It just interests me. I don't have any big time hot topics that get in the way of my thoughts about politics so my emotions are pretty much out of the way in this arena.

So what has that allowed me to do in elections past?

I have correctly predicted who will be elected for president a year or better before the elections.
From telling my parents that Reagan will win, to telling my husband that Bush will win, it's been a snap.

So, as crazy as this is, I'm going on record right now. Let's test out my gauge for this crazy, mixed up election. This one is a doozey and I'm a little bit on edge because none of the others have felt this crazy but I think I've got it.

Just so you know, there are no visions or anything remotely psychic or scary like that. LOL

This is just my feeling of the emotions in the air.

Here we go...

1. I'm probably voting for Ron Paul in January, but since he won't win, that won't be who I'll vote for in November. LOL

2. I think Obama has no shot to make it to the presidency but may very well beat Hillary on the Democratic ticket.

3. I think there will be a Republican voted in again next year.

4. I'll go a step farther and say that Huckabee will be our next president.

That's my prediction.

Oh, this is crazy to do publicly! LOL

Anybody else got a prediction? Are there any others who've got the knack for this sort of thing? If so, blog away and let me know! I love doing this!!

Do me a favor?

I've never been wrong when I predict the presidency. So, lest I forget, please remind me of my answer if I'm wrong. I'll publicly admit my first failed prediction on this blog and take the teasing as necessary. :-)

RON PAUL...WHO??

JANUARY 15TH IS THE PRIMARY ELECTION!

I'm pretty sure I've never really touted a politicians horn very loudly in my blogging career.
I've posted information here and there and gotten a little overly excited about one issue or another but in this case, I'm absolutely amazed. I may quickly be inclined to buy a yard sign for Dr. Ron Paul!

The more I read, the more I like...no LOVE! That is a strong word and I'm using it here.

I realize he is older than a usual candidate, however he is a Medical Physician.
I'm quite sure he has AT LEAST 4 years to go in life. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he could serve as the Head of the country he has served SO WELL for SO MANY YEARS!

Here is a Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record:

Ron Paul is a patriot. He served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 1967.

He is Pro-Life.

He opposes federal court jurisdiction over the question of whether the phrase "under God" should be included in the pledge of allegiance

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against regulating the Internet.
He voted against the Iraq war.
(how many democrats can say that! He stuck to his convictions and held his own, whether I agree with it or not.)

He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.
(that is he balances the budget he's in control of, does not spend it all and returns the surplus!)

Congressman Paul introduces numerous pieces of substantive legislation each year, probably more than any single member of Congress.


For more information, click here

wow, someone who sticks to his beliefs...in politics!

HOMESCHOOL FRIENDLY CANDIDATE?

WILL THE REAL HOMESCHOOL FRIENDLY CANDIDATE PLEASE STAND UP?

Sure we don't vote for a President on this one issue,
but it is an issue to be considered, among many, many others.

WHICH CANDIDATE THINKS LIKE YOU?

VERY

HELPFUL!

Take the quiz to find which Presidential and Senate candidate thinks like you do.

CLICK PRESIDENT OR SENATE TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE QUIZ.