One more thing

I want to say this and then I'm done with politics for a bit: no matter how much you think things are wrapped up, this election is in *your* hands. If you are able, cast a vote on November 4. Don't worry about long lines. Ignore the polls. Do not pay attention to pundits who say the race is over.

If you're voting Obama, cast your vote to make it decisive. Go on record as supporting him and his policy.

If you're voting McCain, cast your vote to make it decisive. Go on record as supporting him and his policy.

Either way, vote. That is your right and your freedom as an American. Do not let TV, articles, the internet, other people, opinions, pundits, columnists or other people demoralize you into staying home, or tell you that your vote doesn't matter. Ignore them, and vote.

No matter whose side you are on, YOUR VOTE CERTAINLY DOES MATTER.

I think

I am going to make this paraphrased statement my rallying cry:

"Take issue with her, not her clothing."

Spoken like a true feminist. But I still like Sarah Palin, even if y'all don't.

And pssst, look here for a very astute criticism of the media's campaign "reporting," and what has the potential to happen in America because of it.

General ickiness

Y'all remember how I feel about going to the dentist.

Monday and Tuesday, my jaw was bothering me. Not too bad, just sore. Last night? Much worse. After brushing and flossing my teeth I noticed my gum looking all swelled up behind my left wisdom tooth, so I called the dentist's office. They got me in at 8:30 today - after an xray and some poking around it was determined I had a popcorn hull stuck between the tooth and my cheek (your gum doesn't really go behind your wisdom teeth) and it got infected. So eww, now I have this cheek/gum thing, Keflex fercryingoutloud, and some horrid swish flavored-peroxide stuff - and believe me when I say it's not fooling anybody. This kind of thing doesn't go away by itself, and dentist said it was lucky I came when I did. So ow. (PS, i *really* like the new dentist.)

My face is kinda swelled up and it just hurts. So I was going to blog some more, but I am just not up to it. I hope y'all have a really good weekend.

Happy Wednesday!

Wow, that felt good.

For the record, I'm not *exactly* a Republican. I'm very much in the center, and the issue of Iraq pushes me over to the right.

Take some time today to read this article, written by a speechwriter for Obama, Edwards and Clinton on why she's voting for McCain. I think every woman in America should read it.

Quote:

As the nation slouches toward disaster, the level of political discourse is unworthy of this moment in history. We have Republicans raising Ayers and Democrats fostering ageism with “erratic” and jokes about Depends. Sexism. Racism. Ageism and maybe some Socialism have all made their ugly cameos in election 2008. It’s not inspiring. Perhaps this is why I found the initial mocking of Joe so offensive and I realized an old line applied: “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party; the Democratic Party left me.”

The party I believed in wouldn’t look down on working people under any circumstance. And Joe the Plumber is right. This is the absolutely worst time to raise taxes on anyone: the rich, the middle class, the poor, small businesses and corporations.

Our economy is in the tank for many complicated reasons, especially because people don’t have enough money. So let them keep it. Let businesses keep it so they can create jobs and stay here and weather this storm. And yet, the Democratic ideology remains the same. Our approach to problems—big government solutions paid for by taxing the rich and big and smaller companies—is just as tired and out of date as trickle down economics. How about a novel approach that simply finds a sane way to stop the bleeding?

That’s not exactly the philosophy of a Democrat. Not only has this party belittled working people in this campaign from Joe the Plumber to the bitter comments, it has also been part of tearing down two female candidates. At first, certain Democrats and the press called Senator Clinton “dishonest.” They went after her cleavage. They said her experience as First Lady consisted of having tea parties. There was no outrage over “Bros before Hoes” or “Iron My Shirt.” Did Senator Clinton make mistakes? Of course. She’s human.

But here we are about a week out and it’s déjà vu all over again. Really, front-page news is how the Republican National Committee paid for Governor Sarah Palin’s wardrobe? Where’s the op-ed about how Obama tucks in his shirt when he plays basketball or how Senator Biden buttons the top button on his golf shirt?

Oh right, this story goes to the sincerity of her Hockey Mom persona. What planet am I living on? Everyone knows that when it comes to appearance, there’s a double standard for women politicians. Remember the speech Speaker Pelosi gave on the floor the day of the bailout vote? Check out how many stories commented on her hair that day and how many mentioned Congressman Barney Frank’s.

Here we are discussing Governor Palin’s clothes—oh wait, now we’re on to the make-up—not what either man is going to do to save our economy. This isn’t an accident. It is part of a manufactured narrative that she is stupid.

(end quote)

Wendy, YOU GO GIRL.

A long screed, and where I've been

I have a confession to make.

I've been avoiding blogging. Painful, but true. But the reason probably isn't what you would think.

I've been avoiding blogging because the only thing I want to write about is politics, and y'all don't want to read THAT.

But maybe you do. Or maybe this blog is as much for me as it is for you. So I decided to do it. I get catharsis, and you get to skip it if you want.

Either way. I'm shocked. And I have to write. So, if you don't like what I say - don't read. Move along, there will be knitting content later this week because I am currently having to fight my knitting mojo off with a large stick. Or stay, and listen. Either way, it's your choice. I have already voted.

If you don't want to read my political opinions, now is the time to close the window, mark the post read, and go have a cup of tea. I will not blame you.

1. Let me tell you, I'm stunned, astonished, shocked and saddened by the press. I have always loved and followed and studied journalism. I can't believe their unbelievable bias, the disappearing documents in Chicago's public establishments, the cry of foul every time a certain candidate's background is looked into. There are whole years of this man's adult life we don't know anything about, in part because it disappeared. The press is an absolute embarrassment, and it's no wonder that magazines and newspapers are being driven into the ground on a daily basis. Nobody wants to look at the front page of the New York Times and get an opinion piece above the fold.

People: the press is telling you what to vote, what to think. Fight against it and make your own decisions.

2. I'm equally shocked at the treatment of certain average Americans who had the fantastically inappropriate audacity to ask a question of a political candidate. In America, you're supposed to be able to speak your mind without ravaging hordes of "journalists" examining your tax records from the past five years. How embarrassing for both proponents of free speech AND the press (notice I do not include them as one group).

The press is trying to put you in your place, and tell you that unless you are without sin you can't ask a question. Fight it, and ask anyway.

3. I'm particularly shocked to learn that all along, I should have been making my political decisions based on whether or not the candidate thinks I can rid myself of a bothersome pregnancy with government permission. I am not a one-issue voter. I'm not a one-dimensional person. I refuse to be put into an anti-womans'-rights bag because womens' rights somehow have come to mean only one thing. How sad/sick/sorry is that? I *care* about whether my friends with small businesses will face tax increases. I *care* whether my friends with political blogs will be shut down by the ineptly named "Fairness Doctrine." And I care about a whole host of other issues. Dear Democrats: Please do not put me in a box. Thankyou.

These people are trying to tell you what matters. Look at the issues, and decide for yourself. Fight against them.

4. Also shocked to see a very accomplished, smart woman who has tremendous political gifts demonized as an anti-American, young-earth, spiritual-warfare believing low-life warmongering christian. Honestly. I thought women as a group were farther along than this. Apparently in America, only men can be Republicans by choice. Again - color me shocked. I just didn't realize it was a law that I had to believe in one set of ideas to be a feminist. I thought that living my life as I wanted to - at whatever I was good at and seemed right to me - was feminism. I was wrong. Feminism is actually something a lot worse.

That's ok though - I don't think they want me. These women are trying to tell you what freedom is. Fight them - and define it for yourself.

Thomas Jefferson said "The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases." The more people try to control the press, our thoughts, values and opinions, the less free we become.

I hope like crazy the few women out there who disagree with "conventional" feminism - and the dried-up old hags who still preach it - will stand up and yell. I hope that people will continue to write and speak intelligent, informed stuff on whatever the heck they choose. I hope that people will come to recognize every free woman's accomplishments as a triumph - from the first female African-American Secretary of State (who doesn't count because...why? she was appointed by a demon?) to a housewife who wants to stay home and raise her kids.

I hope that people take a stand for this freedom. I won't be told what to think, say, act like or do - except by God and a few trusted individuals. I sincerely hope with all my heart that you won't, either. Vote however you want on November 4, and I don't care if you vote opposite of me. Just go make your voice heard. And fight against what you are "supposed" to believe. Find your beliefs, and believe them for yourself.

That is all. Knitting up later this week, with bonus granny squares!

PS: Look here.

Updates: Arch-Shaped socks modifications and a pattern update

I've gotten some feedback recently that some of the instructions in the Arch-Shaped Socks pattern weren't clear. Here is an updated pattern for you. If you don't see a green sock on the front page, reload until you do.

Also, Suvi has given me quite possibly the coolest modifications on this sock pattern EVER. Here is a picture - I'd like to post the pic instead of a link but alas...

And here are the instructions - an add on to the pattern, so download both. :)

Cheesy Hair Salons, Baltimore edition

Beauty Salons: Hairizona, Hairoglyphics, A Piece of Shereece (?)

Pet Salons: For Pet's Sake, Groomingdale's, Snip-n-Clip Pooch Parlor

NOW SERIOUSLY PEOPLE. :o)

A teeny rant

Write your congresspeople (www.congress.org), and tell them that you don't actually know very much about the banking system and you believe the decisions should be left to the experts and you will support their efforts to fix the economy. Really. Seriously. Nobody knows more about the Great Depression than Ben Bernanke. If dude thinks we need to act, we probably do. I certainly don't know more than he does.

Fix now, punish later. I'll bet in 1930 there were a lot of people gloating over the Wall Street types who'd fallen. Two years later, in 1932, the banks started failing. It took a world war nine years later to get things going again.

I am willing (as a card-carrying Republican) to pay my $2300 in extra taxes if this bailout passes and it prevent a depression. If that makes me a total idiot, then so be it - go read another blog. :) (!! not really !!)

PS: from a Republican, including maths, on the odds of actually having a Depression if this thing doesn't pass: link

jen