Inaug tug-of-war

KISS FM, NPR, KISS FM, NPR.

Click, click, click. That's the way the radio ping-ponged back and forth on the way to high school today, as I wanted to watch, or listen to at least, the inauguration of our 44th pres, and Jennifer wanted to listen to her favorite songs.

"mom! You've watched this on CNN since 5 am, you can take a 15-min. break from it can't you."

Well, I guess.

But after dropping her off, I switched back to 88.5 and then went in to get my teeth cleaned, convincing the assistant to switch to MSNBC on the computer, so at least I could listen to the pre-ceremony while I drooled.

After that, I rushed over to the nearest Starbucks in Kent, where a group of us gathered to watch. Fortunately, the french teacher canceled class, and let the kids watch, where Jennifer started texting me on what everyone was wearing. I couldn't text back fast enough, so she started making fun of me.

Jennifer, watch the inaug and stop texting me on if the girls' outfits match!

Raising your daughter right, and keeping your mouth shut

Attended a Christmas party this weekend where the issue of raising daughters and God came up.

Unless you live under a rock, no doubt you've heard about the bruhaha down in Olympia about the Christmas tree, menorah and the atheists. Thanks to rush, the entire nation now knows about our little festivus display. Now there's some group from Kansas that wants to put up a decoration that if you believe in Santa, you're going to hell. Why can't they go pester their own capital building?

We were talking about that, gathered around the kitchen of this Ballard house, and then Obama's name came up, and we all agreed, thank goodness he became president. Then a longtime friend talked about a friend of a friend whose daughter was for Obama and an atheist.

"I told her she raised that kid right!" Liz said.

My daughter, who was with me at the Christmas party shot me a warning glance, with a little bit a pleading in it to keep my mouth shut.

We were both Clintonistas, and then switched to Obama, and yes, she believes in God. I take credit in that, and believe, Gary and I have done a pretty good job of raising her. But JEnnifer obv. did not want to be put forth as an example of raising your kid "right" and having them believe in God too.

So I just laughed and let it drop.

Obama declared the next president, Jennifer decides not to watch reruns

I've been telling her for an hour now, that she can watch a tivo'd Ghost Whisperer is she wishes. But to my surprise, she's stuck with the ABC and CNN channels, watching the election returns. They've just picked Obama as the next president 4 minutes ago, and she's texting madly.

It's nice to see her so involved. If he's smart, and I believe he is, he'll appoint Hillary to the supreme court, and maybe put McCain in his cabinet. I like McCain, as does Jennifer. It's just his dimwit running mate we couldnt' stand.

Even tho we aren't Jewish, J says she plans to have this talk with her grandmother in Everett

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

How to quit, or fail victoriously

Again, instead of tuning into ER this morning before we headed off for school, we watched GMA about how Hillary will graciously say, "I tried my best, but no nomination for me."

"He should make her vp," J. commented.

I agree with that, although I'm not sure how either Obama's wife or either candidate would work that. Sometimes the public testy face is not what's really happening behinds the scenes, as a former political reporter, I know that.

I still think he should put her on the Supreme Court, or make her the next defacto nominee to the SC.

I'm glad J's watched this with such intensity. Hillary has given her a role model for sticking to her guns, believing in herself (even as the pundits throw mud at her), and doing her best, even tho it didn't end up with the nomination.

Maybe it will help J deal with the inevitable rejection we all feel in life, from trying out for the team, applying for college, applying for a job, et al. It's important you follow your passion , even tho the answer isn't always pleasant at the other end.

Okay, It's Official, Obama Supporters are Rude

That was the conclusion my daughter and I came to after attending the 33rd Legislative District caucuses yesterday.

There were about 1000 of us over in Des Moines for 5 hours yesterday (the seasoned veterans were smart, and brought books, iPods and sitapons for the bleachers in the Des Moines High School Gym.

There were the inspirational speeches, of course, and a surprise visit by Hillary Clinton's national campaign chair, a great national anthem by a middle school girl and a nice break dancing gig by a fourth grade boy.

When the time came for the Obama/Clinton supporters came to give their spiel, I'll give it to you, the Obama speech was better. We Clintonites, clustered together for support (there were about 800 of them, compared to 200 of us) clapped politely.

When it came time for the Clinton guy to speak, he wasn't as good, granted, but he didn't deserve to be heckled by 2 Obama supporters, or booed, or have a running conversation (loudly) by two Obama supporters (I could tell, that side still has cooler t-shirts and buttons) during the talk.

Finally, my new best friend and Hillary supporter, Mrs. Frances Dill, age 70-something, stood up and protested. She also protested about the boy-girl way of choosing the delegates, which had another Obama supporter (same one that gave the rally speech) doing the twirling, "she's crazy", hand gesture, for all the gym to see.

Okay, her penis speech may have been a bit off the reservation.

Short version: Something along the line "are we going to check between their legs?" and then she got into a transsexual discrimination line of thought. One woman popped up to argue that transsexuals can pick their own gender orientation and there will be not checking between the legs. Ah, the Demo party I've always loved. Glad Hillary's man was gone and I was wondering if this would appear on YouTube today.

Regardless, treating a 70-something year old lady like this (crazy gesture) was rude.

At about hour 4 of speechmaking, waiting for results, music, more waiting, and penis/transsexual discussions, 200 of us got together and chose 12 delegates to the next level.

I think will get alot of votes include:

Two very well spoken African-Americans, one man and one woman, who explained why they were voting for Hillary, and why they resented all their friends and the media assuming they'd vote for Obama, whose supporters, they noted, seemed to have imbibed on too much cool-aid.

A single mom struggling to raise a teenage son, after fleeing an abusive relationship and now she's trying to pay COBRA for her new hubby.

A house painter who earns $35,000 a year.

Two delegates who are 24 and 18 respectively, and are constantly trying to defend their Hillary position to their friends (see above).

And a Swedish immigrant, who mentioned the b-factor, but said she's not looking to date Hillary, she wants someone to run the country.

I hope they all end up in Denver to balance out the oh so holy Obama delegates. Sadly, Mrs. Dill will not be there to liven things up. She passed on being a delegate.

Obama Speech, For Those That Missed It

Of course, last week, there was some good news for Hillary as well. Whether this speech will push those ## or not, we'll have to wait until next week.

No Easter Beagle, Instead J. Wants to Talk Politics

This morning J. and settled down to check out our usual list of tivo'd stuff. And instead of looking through last night's "Dances with Stars," she paused on analysis of Obama's now-famous speech.

It was interested to see her reaction to this story. She really isn't buying the "I don't like some of his beliefs, but still go to his church" line. Also for the first time, I noticed that Obama called Rev. Wright "his former pastor."

Some of this you can blame on me. I just left a church I had attended for 20 years when some of the leaders literally ran the pastor out on a rail because they didn't feel he was spending enough time at the church (fyi, his wife has lupus). I learned later they'd pulled a similar stunt when on a minister that I didn't particularly like, but no one should be treated like that.

So, with some tears, I left. It does matter what the leaders of the church do, what they say and what they don't say. It matters. And your reaction to it matters as well. So I 'm not buying it either. BTW, here is some good news for Hilary supporters.