Electricity. EEEEE-lectricity.

So, we had a pretty eventful week here in Washington Park. First and foremost, we (the community at large) helped make history on Tuesday. My voting experience was lovely. As I am used to crammed makeshift booths at the Department of Public Works or the local fire station, you can imagine my delight when I was informed that I would be casting my ballot at the Botanical Gardens in Roger Williams Park. I got there pretty late in the day, so I had no line to wait in. I passed by several folks on my way in and we all grinned widely at one another - like we knew. The path I walked on leading up to the building was softly lit and a few pine needles were strewn about. Wafts of lush florals gently greeted me at the threshold and I was immediately ushered into a large, glass room with trees lining the parameter. I voted, the machine sucked my ballot in and Jere and I went home and watched CNN until our new president-elect was announced. It was glorious!

This was all in the midst of a minor electrical crisis here at the homestead. On Saturday night, I cuddled up on the couch with a nice bowl of pasta, grabbed the remote to turn on the television when *zap* the television and everything else plugged into that receptacle went out. I noticed a little later that the ceiling fan and light in our bedroom had also been affected. All the breakers in the basement were fine, so I concluded that the receptacle needed to be replaced. My step dad gave me a quick tutorial in changing receptacles and I thought we were on our way. Nope. So, I figured - no problem, we'll get an electrician on Monday.

On Sunday evening, the heat stopped working.

Jere contacted an electrician on Monday morning and called me with updates throughout the course of the day. After searching the whole house (including the attic), he located the area where there was faulty wiring. He pulled it out of the wall (a large ball of wires that was warm to the touch) and told Jere that personally, he wouldn't be able to sleep at night had he done this. He claimed that it was a fire waiting to happen. Nice. He fixed the wiring.

They went into the basement to try to assess the heating problem. Jere and I forgot that you are supposed to fill the gas heater with water once a month. The electrician saw the lever and said, why is this up? He pulled it down and water rushed into the heater, causing the heat to turn on right away.

Except, he forgot to pull the lever back up. Jere called me at one point during the day and said, "You're not going to believe this ..." and went on to explain that the basement was covered in a half inch of water (soaps and everything are fine - thank heavens) and that one of the radiators upstairs had overflowed, forcing water down into the basement. I heard the "vrroooooooom" of the electrician's wet-vac in the background.

Long story, short, everything is okay. He came back the next day and replaced our circuit panel entirely (which we knew we had to do anyway) and put lightening rods in the ground outside to protect the meter. And now, Jere and I are safe and sound and that much wiser.

If only the pipes would stop knocking ....

Voting Day

Today is going to be one of those "difficult to concentrate at work" days, as we will all be watching the polling results. I won't be able to vote until after work due to the killer commute + crazy lines. I'd prefer to cast my ballot when there's no pressure on me to be somewhere afterward. I am really hoping that history is made today.

We are having a bit of new homeowner excitement. It's somewhat of a long story, so I will try to blog about it during my lunch break today.

I'll Tear Your Mind Out. I'll Burn Your Soul.

Not that we didn't already know or suspect that this was true. I just cringe when I think about how this comes across globally.

Even with yesterday's loss ...

... the Red Sox still only need two wins to clinch. Still, what a crappy way to end the game. Youk strikes out with bases loaded.

Switching gears.

I saw the lion's share of the Democratic debates the other night. And I find myself really leaning toward Hillary. Of all the folks running, she seems the most prepared. We might actually see universal healthcare in my lifetime. I grant you, her first attempt failed, but she's got the whole "lessons learned" thing under her belt. On the other hand, I've heard that her 2nd proposal isn't much different from her first. In fact, the Green Party calls Sen. Clinton's health care mandate proposal a 'fraudulent, cynical, cruel' affront to Americans who need coverage (headline taken directly from article). I haven't read it, so I haven't got an opinion.

Obama, though very confident, and also strong in bringing people together (the need for bipartisanship is at an all-time high) just isn't as experienced as Clinton and it shows. I hope he runs again after he's had some time in the Senate.

Chris Dodd is a candidate worthy of watching, too. Both he and Biden had some interesting responses. Edwards looked shaky and frightened. He seems like a really genuine guy, but he doesn't have enough gas in the tank, you know? Richardson used too much rhetoric-y talkie for my taste. Gravel is a total pistol. There's always that one candidate who isn't afraid to be blunt. But you just know that he's off his rocker a little. And Kucinich seemed like one of these "I'll say whatever you want me to say" type guys. Like he doesn't want people to dislike him or something.

Part of me wishes a real "take no prisoners" style left winger got in, but I think, ultimately, that we've had enough with the browbeating. We need people working together to extricate ourselves from Iraq in the smartest possible way. I don't think I will ever get over my anger toward George Bush for putting us in this position and taking hundreds of human lives needlessly.

The Petraeus Report

A lot of people are highly anticipating General Petraeus' progress report this week in front of Congress. This is interesting because though Petraeus staunchly supports the war and is dedicated to it's "success" (still not sure what exactly defines success here), he is known for his candid delivery. This is a double edged sword for the Republicans. On the one hand, public outing of the lack of progress surrounding the surge will expose the president and the administration. Especially after he's been trying to convince us that it is working. However, they need Petraeus to come clean because even the Republicans in this country are getting tired of the lies. It's good news for the Democrats, too, because it will give them more to exploit.

Evidently, this isn't enough for Senator Dick Durbin (from cnn.com)

Days before Petraeus is scheduled to testify on the progress of the troop surge, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat is accusing the administration of manipulating information in its highly anticipated Iraq report.

"By carefully manipulating the statistics, the Bush-Petraeus report will try to persuade us that violence in Iraq is decreasing and thus the surge is working," Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois told a Washington think tank.

Durbin, a war critic, said for a long period of time, he has e-mailed civilian employees who were gathering data for the report and writing draft portions of the findings.

"Some of them I correspond with almost on a daily basis. And when they sent a discouraging report about things that were happening in Baghdad, they were reminded by their superiors that's unacceptable, we need a positive report. They were sent back for editing changes. Now that's a fact," Durbin said.

Ok, I think I've Had It

I've been reading a lot about an ugly issue which has been slowly
bubbling up to the surface. Description of said issue: Real Reasons
White People Like Barack Obama.

I had to examine my own personal support of Obama and I had to reassure myself that I wasn't jumping on some bandwagon for all the reasons I have been accused:
1. He's "safe" and "non-threatening."
2. He is handsome.
3. He is "articulate" (this one really pisses me off).
4. His mother is a white woman from Kansas and his father isn't truly
black, (though he is Kenyan) so he's "alright with the whites."

I have learned that true blackness is defined by being a decedent of
Western African slaves. To understand the perils of African Americans
whose parents and grandparents have experienced systematic racism.
Barack's father is from Eastern Africa. I appreciate the reasoning and
I understand what was described. I also think it takes a brave person
to write about it because it reveals a certain vulnerability to white
America and, by and large, white America is reckless with such things.

I can't help but wonder how Barack feels about all of this. Does he not identify as a black man? Should he feel ashamed of his "free ride" to the top because of his non-blackness? Does Obama owe everyone a big apology for having the unfortunate experience of being black, but not really?

Look, I GUARANTEE that white America cannot make the distinction
between Barack and other African Americans. To say that whites support him because he isn't really black is absurd. Why? Because white people are just too stupid and lazy to learn about his history. Trust me. The sophistication of this distinction is too keen for the mass of whites who support him. Please, don't give white folks this kind of credit, for we don't deserve it.

The real tragedy is that this issue - if it continues to swirl around - will create a greater divide between the races, and that's something we don't need. It also takes the spot light off of the real reason that THIS honky supports Obama: He is an incredibly capable leader who understands how to motivate people, shares my political views and offers a fresh perspective.

Read all about it:

here,

and here,

and, most importantly, here.

Being Pro-Choice

In the spirit of activism, I am doing my part to support a woman's right to choose. Happy Blog for Choice Day.

The one thing that has always disturbed me about the pro-life stance is that it never addresses the quality of the potential life. In fact, the same people who tend to hold up pictures of aborted fetuses outside clinics are usually the types who line up to "flip the switch" when an inmate is executed. Generally, these folks vote against programs to help fund education and other community outreach initiatives. So, the general message is: After we "save your life," you're on your own! In my opinion, if a woman decides to terminate a pregnancy because of her economic situation, she is being responsible. And if the pro-lifer types (who typically object to welfare and the raising of taxes) were honest with themselves, they would agree with this.

Pro-lifers believe that pro-choicers feel that human life is disposable. I think of it in just the opposite way. A human life is an investment. If that life doesn't have a responsible, dedicated parent or set of parents supporting it, then the odds are not in the child's favor. This feels more disposable to me.

Even though abortion is still safe and legal in this country, this right is is always threatened. It is highly unlikely that it will ever be overturned, but it makes me uneasy knowing that there are plenty of politicians and corporations who try to chisel away at it. If Roe vs. Wade is ever reversed, I can guarantee that back alley abortions will take the lives of desperate girls everywhere. Do you want this to happen to your daughter?

Lastly, I object to the taboo and stigma that abortion attaches to the women who obtain them. Women not only have to make the difficult decision, but women are also the ones who are left with this karmic "stain" on their souls. I wish there wasn't such judgment and scrutiny cast upon these women. While I certainly understand those special cases in which women use the practice as a means of birth control, these instances are rare by comparison. Yet, all women who get abortions, despite their reasons, are treated the same way. Doesn't seem fair.

Barack Obama

Awesome!



You've got my vote, sir.

G.W. Poophead

Part of me really wants to hear Bush's speech tonight. It's supposed to be one of those "jig is up" type deals. Honest but still hopeful about "victory" in Iraq (whatever that's supposed to mean). I am curious about the new strategy, though I know that it involves an increase in the number of troops (or surge, the latest buzzword) followed by a lot of finger crossing. He is supposedly going to present several benchmarks.

*Yawn*

The truth is, I can't stand the sound of his voice, so I will need to hear analysis on NPR tomorrow. And hopefully, they'll keep the sound clips to a minimum.

I just see the Iraq "war" as an oozing, pus-filled, self-inflicted wound that won't respond to antibiotics. There aren't any quick fixes. And as much as I would love to see our troops begin to pull out, we're in a unique position of being damned either way. Worse, we did it to ourselves. I could go on and on, but I won't. Suffice it to say, I am pessimistic and skeptical about it. I predict another 5-10 years of occupation. I mean, seriously, the skeletal Iraq government is on super shaky paws. Not only do they have their hands full with keeping the violence to a minimum, but they're expected to yank a working democratic plan off the shelf, then enforce it? Come on!

Alright, this is me shutting up.

New York Loses Its Johnson

RJ has left the building and I think it's hysterical. If ever there was a time that I'm thrilled in Theo's half-hearted interest in him way back when, it's now. I think he (Theo) made a token phone call to his (Randy's) agent before ole Stinkbrenner pulled out all the stops to get him. And Johnson was a mediocre starter, at best. Ah, well, they still have Pavano. Heh.

Meanwhile, I hope that the Sox abandon the Drew ship, if you know what I'm saying. Who needs damaged goods? Especially when said damaged goods are really expensive? It's the equivalent of buying an irregular Prada gown. I'd rather have a good one from Old Navy. At least I can wear it without having to adjust it a million times. I hear that Trotter is still available. Make a deal! He'll be super cheap!

Did any of you (local folks) hear Deval's inaugural speech today? I cried! I swooned! I cheered! I did the same when I heard the few sound bites from Nancy Pelosi's speech at the House of Representatives. She even let all the kids touch the symbolic gavel. Cute! Bob Oakes is on Greater Boston tonight. I always wondered what that guy looked like. And in a rare case, the image matched the real thing.



I really enjoy him and Delores Handy in the morning. Carl Kasell - with all his snorty inhales and exhales - is my least favorite NPR reporter.

Deval Sworn in at Noon Tomorrow

Oh, how I wish I could be there for Deval Patrick's inauguration. Should I feign illness and go anyway? Will it be one those things I can tell my grandchildren about?

Meanwhile, Mitt Romney actual thinks he has a shot at the presidency. Dude, you're a Mormon. And everyone knows that Mormons are weirdos. Just read this book. Besides, I don't trust a guy who goes from supporting gay rights (more so than Ted Kennedy at one point) to denouncing gay marriage. I hate inconsistency.

By the way, I've suddenly begun listening - very seriously, I might add - to Joni Mitchell. What does this mean?

Saddam

Hussein was executed, supposedly. Doesn't it seem like a fake story? What's odd to me is that he was executed for acts of severe inhumanity and murder, yet so many innocent Iraqis are dying because of Bush. How is one of them right and the other wrong? Just because Bush isn't standing in Baghdad with a machine gun, firing away, doesn't mean I don't blame him for the increase in insurgency, suicide and car bombing and sectarian violence.

A bit of sweet irony: Bush was forced to say something nice about Ford the day after his death, and on that same day, some reporter came out with an interview transcript or whatever stating that Ford was totally anti-Iraq invasion, calling it a BIG MISTAKE and whatnot. Heh. I think that alone cancels out the whole "pardoning of Nixon" blooper. Besides, I sort of find his clumpsy reputation a little endearing. Gerald Ford: Most Likely to Slip on a Banana Peel.