Man(ic)weller.

Yesterday, I posted the above video on Facebook. This video shows CWU Political Science Professor Matt Manweller berating someone on the street who clearly disagrees with the Republican Party and Dr. Manweller's position for that election. Dr. Manweller was campaigning for Dino Rossi, a gentleman whose politics I disagree with quite a bit (but that's another story). Dr. Manweller is now running for for State Representative in the 13th District (Ellensburg and surrounding area). I don't want to get into a discussion of Dr. Manweller's politics here...At least not yet. On my Facebook page a comment was made that the above rant cannot be indicative of Dr. Manweller's potential behavior in Olympia. I disagree. He is running for a position in which compromise is needed; healthy discourse is not only possible, but standard. Having worked in Olympia as a Senate Intern I can tell you that the behavior Dr. Manweller presented in the video is not the type of behavior that would be allowed/tolerated. What will happen if he is fighting for a bill he strongly believes in, but the opposition counters with an argument? Will he start name-calling? Will he be unwilling to listen adn form a coherent argument more than "what school do/did you go to?" and calling someone stupid? There is no place for that in Olympia.

Am I being too harsh on Manweller from a short clip? Perhaps. IF it was the only time he was documented as losing his cool. Everyone does from time to time, and I understand that this video could have been taken on a particularly stressful day. What's not clear is why someone who is so politically minded wouldn't just walk away. Here's an even better point...This isn't the only example of Professor Manweller losing his cool. This article: http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/9/22/radio-comments-lead-to-fisticuffs  .   The Prof. had been charged with disorderly conduct after getting into a fist fight with another guy after a radio show. Manweller says his actions were in self-defense. I wasn't there, I cannot say for certain one way or the other, but needing two others to break you up seems a tad more than a couple defensive blows.

The guy he got into a fist fight with was a bit more antagonistic than the gentleman in the video, but Manweller has shown a pattern of excessive anger and the inability to have discourse calmly and coherently. Would I vote for anyone who is on record as getting into shouting matches with the opposition where they call the other stupid? No. I certainly wouldn't vote for someone who gets into a fist fight. It does not show leadership qualities I want in someone representing me.

Everyone loses their cool, not everyone is running for office. Everyone in office has lost their cool from time to time, I grant that. When it starts becoming a pattern is when I have an issue. Such is the case with Professor Manweller. I am no longer registered to vote in District 13, but as a CWU Alum from the Political Science Department and a former Senate Intern (for a Republican Senator) I believe that Professor Manweller would not serve his constituency well.

A last point...Professor Manweller even has some of the extremely right individuals thinking he's a democratic plant because he just doesn't make sense to them:
http://www.redstate.com/martin_a_knight/2009/09/14/matthew-manweller-democratic-plant/ .

You say you want a Revolution...

In the last few days I've had several discussions about the importance of the death of the former Libyan Leader, Col. Muammar Quadaffi. Sure, the generation prior to mine will cite Lockerbie, terrorist connections, his interest in WMDs, etc. as proof that it was about time he was gone. No doubt about it. The Libyan people began fighting months ago for their freedom. The day it was announced Qadaffi had been killed, pictures and video of his death began circulating the internet at a rapid pace.  They were horrific, bloody pictures. I don't understand the need to show everyone pictures of his body, but that idea brought up a discussion between myself and a friend. She had asked me why there were so many pictures and video of Qadaffi and not Osama Bin-laden (OBL) when clearly Bin-laden was of more interest to the West. I was in the middle of cooking and G-man was fussing, so I didn't get to answer. I did spend the next few hours thinking it over though. In my opinion, there are two reasons: 1. OBL's death was caused during a very targeted military strike and pictures are usually classified, Qadaffi's death was caused by rebel fighters.  2. Showing OBL's lifeless body would cause more harm than the way it was handled. Allow me to go into a little more detail.

First, Osama Bin Laden was killed by a sanctioned military strike. Seal Team Six is a group of massive bad asses. This was a joint operation by the CIA and Seals. Neither organization is known to take pictures on missions and post them to twitter or facebook. They are covert. They depend on this for their lives. Whatever pictures were taken (and you can guarantee there were pictures taken), are well beyond top secret. On the other hand, Qadaffi was killed as a product of a grass-roots civil war. Those fighting against him were not special ops. They were regular people fighting for their rights. They stood up to their leader. These people relied on communication to have a successful civil war, so it's no wonder that the pictures and video practically went viral. In the eyes of those fighting, the proof that Qadaffi was dead was necessary to let the people know they have won, that their oppressor had been dealt with.


As to my second point: When OBL was killed, I don't doubt that there were those in disbelief. In fact, it was all over the media: "Why aren't we seeing pictures?" "The President will address whether or not we are to see any pictures of Bin Laden's  body..." The President did the right thing. What purpose would it have served to show OBL's body? It would only anger Al-Qaeda and those that agree--even partially--with his ideology. The US would look like the big, bad bullies that we have become to many across the globe. Showing OBL's remains would have likely incited more violence. Yes, one can argue that just killing Bin Laden did that. It may have. One can be certain that disrespecting his remains by posting pictures would have made things worse...Much worse. In comparison, showing Qadaffi's remains will not anger as many extremists who are ready to attack others. The Libyan people released the photos, they wanted everyone to know what they had done.

On a side note: I believe both of these men should have been captured and been tried at the Hague. I know this isn't the most popular opinion, but it's true. I know it wasn't going to happen for either of them, but in a society that prides itself on doing the right thing, we should have at least tried. America, for better or worse, has this idea that we need to be the moral compass for the world. Sure, we didn't release the pictures of Osama, that was a great start. Just because the media was able to get the pictures of Qadaffi, does not mean they needed to show them on their various outlets.

It's been awhile...

It's been almost a year. I nearly forgot I even had a fledgling blog. Last you heard from me I was a couple months pregnant and fighting off some horrendous morning sickness. Well, (as pretty much everyone knows now) Jeph and I had a fantastic little boy in July. Gideon Jack is the name. He's pretty much the coolest person to have walked the planet. Of course, by walk I mean shimmy. What? He's only 3 months old. He doesn't walk or crawl :). I think I'm going to ease my way back into this blog thing. I know that becoming a Mother can seem all-consuming. Really, it is (at least for me). That's how I am though, I get into something and I tend to focus on that one thing and disregard the rest. I've realized now that I cannot continue on in that manner. I need to start stealing a few minutes here or there for myself, as well as find time for Jeph and Me.

First, I have to change the title of the blog. We no longer live in Ellensburg...We're back on the West side. I graduated from CWU with my 2nd BA, this time in Political Science. I'm working for Catholic Community Services as a Housing Case Manager working with homeless veterans. My job is pretty fantastic, stressful, and sad (at times). It's strange to finally be in a job that I love, doing something that actually has meaning to better mankind rather than tear it down...

As I start easing my way back into blogging, I don't want it to become a "Mommy blog." There will be times when I post mommy-related stuff, sure; but I still want to focus on three of my favorite topics: Coffee, Politics, and Psychology. There will be smatterings of other things as well: Detroit, Seattle, related stuffs, etc.

If you have any suggestions for re-naming the  blog, let me know!

I will start with an actual post tomorrow :)

Until then, here's a picture of a Fantastic lady with balloons. <3

Lack of Energy

So, I haven't had a blog post since Oct. 23. I don't want the blog to turn into a "here's my pregnancy story" sort of blog, so I have been abstaining from updating. Right now, all I can think about are my exams and the pregnancy. None of it is really that interesting and worthy of a post. Yes, I'm really excited about being Pregnant! I am excited and terrified to be a Mom. I can't wait! That being said, I have not been able to eat much in the last couple weeks. Anytime I think of food, my stomach turns. My doc has me on Phenergan (promethazine) to get rid of some of the nausea, but it's really not helping all that much.

Anyway, I am really hoping that once the nausea subsides I can once again think about anything else! As soon as I have a complete, rational thought I'll post something that I promise will be interesting, informative and full of all sorts of adventure! *scouts honor*
For now though, I need to crawl into bed, stop being stubborn and let my husband take care of me. He keeps trying, but it's me...I'm too stubborn. This whole pregnancy thing is going to be a hoot and a half, for sure!

See, this is why I haven't posted in 2 weeks. All I had to talk about was being ache-y and pregnant. There's so much more out there:

•  President Obama was in India recently and secured a 10Billion Export contract with India.  

• Another tidbit of interest: Chinese miners in Afghanistan have found 2600 Buddhist relics! 

• And to keep up with my Jersey shore plug (seriously I hate the show, never watched it...But it's everywhere!)...Apparently Snooki (the orange oompa-loompa looking one) has a new boyfriend. From what I gather, that is newsworthy of CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. This makes me sad. And I'm pregnant! Now, I am going to weep for society!

So that's that. When I have a coherent thought, I'll post again! :) 

Miracles and Blessings

*I had planned to write this and post it on Thursday, but for reasons that will become apparent, I waited.*

10 years ago on Thursday, (10.21.2000) I was heavily pressured into an abortion by the cop I was engaged to...Oddly, we had been planning on getting married in December (2 months later). I am personally pro-life, so imagine my feelings knowing that I was giving in and allowing this man to make the choice for me because I was afraid of the things he had been saying to me. I don't want to go into the details of it, but just know that I had been afraid of what he'd do if I didn't have the abortion. Now, on that Saturday I went to the clinic and gave in. I succumb to the pressure of an older man telling me what to do with my body. I was 18. He was 23. 

As one can imagine, this brought about a bit of mental instability in me for quite some time. Severe depression, cutting, binge drinking, promiscuity. In that time I was not in my right mind. I look back at that person and KNOW that wasn't me. A couple months after the Abortion, I joined the Air Force. I know I should have actively sought help first, but I needed to get as far away from the situation as possible...God's plan for as far away as possible? ...Japan. Severe depression, cutting, binge drinking, promiscuity; all of this continued for a several years and even onto my move from Misawa to Dover. While at Misawa, I went through RCIA classes and became Catholic. This act in itself saved my life. I know if I hadn't joined the Church I would not have made it...I would have just been another statistic of Military Suicide. I know this. I also know that I had decided that I was unfit to ever become a Mother. I had failed my child when he/she needed me the most.

At Dover, I attended a weekend retreat called "Rachel's Vineyard." There, I met a lot of women going through similar things. The retreat team was phenomenal. That weekend opened my eyes. I was still uninterested in having children, but for the first time in a long time, I started feeling like 'me' again. I am certainly not ever going to be who I was before the abortion. I don't even know who that girl would have become...

Ultimately, I know that it was still the wrong choice...I should have fought against everyone and put the child up for adoption. No one NO ONE can tell me any different. I know the decision, no matter how terrified I was of the cop, was the wrong choice. That being said, it DID turn me into the person I am today. I have gone through a LOT in 28 very short years...And the person I am brought me to my Husband. I can't imagine life without him.

But on a much MUCH happier note...What are the chances of finding out you are Pregnant on the 10 year anniversary of the worst day of your life?!?

Thursday, I took a pregnancy test. Thursday was 10 years since the abortion. I am going to be a Mom! I'm overjoyed, excited, and terrified.

No one can tell me that God does not answer prayers. We have been trying for a baby...And every night I prayed that I would turn 21 October into a good thing. I was TIRED of having so negative of a day. Well, God answered my prayers. Of that I'm sure.

"Blessed be God. Blessed be His Holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be His Most Sacred Heart. Blessed be His Most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, MaryGod in His Angels and most Holy. Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her Glorious Assumption. Blessed be the Name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be in His Saints."

100 years of voting; 10 years since I cast my first ballot!

100 years ago, Women of Washington State finally gained the right to vote. This was 10 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified, and WA was the 5th State in the Nation to give women this right! As a resident and first time voter in Washington State, I have to say, it's a pretty big deal. I get to vote for the first time in WA, on the centennial of the state giving women the right to vote! How cool is that?!

Jeph and I received our ballots in the mail yesterday.

For the majority of you that don't know...Washington does mail in ballots. Not only for those that are voting absentee, but all citizens. We receive our ballots in the mail, along with a voter's guide that discusses each person, referendum, and proposal on the ballot. This booklet goes into detail, giving the argument for and against a prop/ref, rebuttals and closing statements. It gives voting records of incumbents, and pretty much all the information one would need in deciding which candidate to vote for. Once the ballot is filled out, you put it in the envelopes, sign, seal, and deliver it to a ballot box.

I spent the morning at Winegar's, drinking coffee and discussing the topics with Jeph. We read through the relevant parts of the book and talked over the pros and cons and how we each perceived the arguments. While this was going on, our friend Tiffany and her 5yr old son Keola, were sitting with us. Jeph was able to talk to him and explain the importance of voting. Ultimately, I know Jeph and I voted differently on certain topics, but I have to say it was a wonderful and positive experience for my first time voting in WA.

That being said, I'm still not sold on the idea of mailing in a ballot. Granted, while I was active duty I had to mail it in, but I missed going to my polling place. There's a certain sense of civic duty when you stand in the insanely long lines, get your ballot, put it in the box and walk out with an "I voted" sticker.

Later this week, I will have a blog that touches on the situations that have changed the way I vote, and how I've gone about re-prioritizing the topics that are important for me when choosing a candidate. I don't want to put that here, because honestly, it's terribly depressing and angers me...And my last post was pretty much a downer!

This post I just want to say that everyone needs to get out and vote. I don't care who you vote for (Dem, Rep, Bull-moose, etc) BUT I want you to think about what is important to you...Truly think about it and not necessarily which party you like better...To be completely honest, my ballot is a mix of parties. Say what you will about my voting method, but I try to look past the person's affiliations and vote for those I truly think will at least TRY to change things in DC.

Again I beg you...Go vote! Women need to get out more as well. Here in WA it's been 100 years; but on the national level, the 19th Amendment is having its 90th birthday. Please women, honor those pioneers that have given their all so we could partake in such an important civic duty! I want to see higher numbers at the polls! :)

As always, thanks for reading what I have to say!

This bullying needs to stop *More of a rant than fully coherent thought*

I am sick and tired of the BS. There has been so much more bullying making the papers lately and frankly, it sickens me. I'm not saying that there's more bullying and harassing going on than there has been in the last couple decades, and maybe there is actually less bullying going on. I was bullied constantly throughout school, mostly during 7th and 8th grade. During that time I had thought seriously about ending my life and I'm lucky for a couple really good friends that kept me from it.

Does it really matter if someone is gay? Does it matter if someone looks differently? Talks differently? I think parents need to really work with their children more and discuss with them that everyone is different. Teenagers should not be killing themselves.

Today, I read about a developmentally disabled boy that was harassed on the school bus. What kind of society are we when we resort to picking on those that cannot properly defend themselves? Another article out of Long Island talks of three teens that assaulted a gay teen on the school bus. What is wrong with people?

It saddens me. I understand (more than I can express) what these kids are all going through. I want them to know that it does get better. And for the most part, you'll do better and go farther in life than most of those that wasted their time bullying you.