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Thursday, November 20, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A positive outcome of the Barack Obama election
Yes, I found something positive about the election of Barack Obama.
Every year the Friends of the Library hold an annual sale to raise funds for library projects. One of the more obvious things I noticed is that, in spite of the population being almost split 50% white and 50% black here in Sumter, there were rarely any black people at the book sale.
One of the problems with the education here is that black people consider learning to be a white person’s responsibility. If a black student shows any initiative to learn they are mocked by their fellow black students and told they are trying to act white.
This year that has all changed. Every day there are more and more black faces in the crowd and often there are as many black people as white. I attribute this to the election of Barack Obama. His election has given them the freedom to learn, the desire to learn, the knowledge that knowledge is power and to get any place in life they have to read and learn and get educated. We always have a great African American section and since some of are fiction those books sell. But this year the black people are buying the books on the history of black America and this excites me. It excites me to talk with them and recommend books and in the exchange they also learn that being white doesn’t mean being a racist. We have talked, laughed, and they will thank me – sometimes with a tone of surprise in their voices – but always we come away with a new respect for each other. One woman looked in surprise, as she was going through the books on the African American table, and I asked if she had read a couple books and told her I had loved them. The look on her face told it all. She realized in that moment that white people were just as interested in learning about the black experience.
So, even though I still have issues with Barack Obama as president and still don’t have a lot of confidence he can pull it off without disaster, I will give him credit that he has given hope to the black community that they can rise above themselves, but that in doing so they must take responsibility, get an education, and not blame others for their lot in life. He has shown you can be whatever you want if you study hard, learn, and take responsibility for your own life.
Also, on another note it gives me great pleasure to see he is considering Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. That could be the smartest move he will make as president.
Every year the Friends of the Library hold an annual sale to raise funds for library projects. One of the more obvious things I noticed is that, in spite of the population being almost split 50% white and 50% black here in Sumter, there were rarely any black people at the book sale.
One of the problems with the education here is that black people consider learning to be a white person’s responsibility. If a black student shows any initiative to learn they are mocked by their fellow black students and told they are trying to act white.
This year that has all changed. Every day there are more and more black faces in the crowd and often there are as many black people as white. I attribute this to the election of Barack Obama. His election has given them the freedom to learn, the desire to learn, the knowledge that knowledge is power and to get any place in life they have to read and learn and get educated. We always have a great African American section and since some of are fiction those books sell. But this year the black people are buying the books on the history of black America and this excites me. It excites me to talk with them and recommend books and in the exchange they also learn that being white doesn’t mean being a racist. We have talked, laughed, and they will thank me – sometimes with a tone of surprise in their voices – but always we come away with a new respect for each other. One woman looked in surprise, as she was going through the books on the African American table, and I asked if she had read a couple books and told her I had loved them. The look on her face told it all. She realized in that moment that white people were just as interested in learning about the black experience.
So, even though I still have issues with Barack Obama as president and still don’t have a lot of confidence he can pull it off without disaster, I will give him credit that he has given hope to the black community that they can rise above themselves, but that in doing so they must take responsibility, get an education, and not blame others for their lot in life. He has shown you can be whatever you want if you study hard, learn, and take responsibility for your own life.
Also, on another note it gives me great pleasure to see he is considering Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. That could be the smartest move he will make as president.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Smart Cat!!
Our cat, Bug, has a lot of issues with congestion. It doesn't take much to set him off and when he gets sick he comes and lays by my pillow to let me know. At his worst he keeps me awake snorting and snuffling and wheezing in my ear. He does this because he knows it's is I who will get his medicine and give it to him to help relieve the congestion. Also, when he is really bad, as he was tuesday night, I'll pet him and groom him to give him comfort until he falls asleep. This, of course, takes away from my sleep! Well, last night he was having a good night. He still slept by my pillow, but with no obvious snorts and snuffles and wheezes. The medications are finally working. But, he really enjoyed the middle of the night grooming sessions, so last night when I rolled over he got in my face and started pushing on my hand. I told him to go back to sleep, so what does he do? He looks right at me and starts trying to snort and snuffle so I'll feel sorry for him and pet and groom him! He did this twice during the night and when he realized it wasn't going to work sighed and went back to sleep. He is just too smart! What a faker!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Friends of the Library Book Sale
Well, for those who thought I fell off the face of the earth I am still here. Still kicking! Just had an extremely busy week. On a sad note my friend Cyndi's brother died suddenly and she had to return home to WI, so I've been making a trip twice a day to feed and love her cats for her.
And the Friends of the Library book sale also started this week and prior to the opening I was spending a good part of my days helping set up the books. Unpacking boxes and setting the books on the appropriate tables and even sorting some boxes that hadn't been sorted prior to bringing them to the Sumter Mall for the sale. It was hard work but fun at the same time. My father always said never volunteer but this was too much fun to not volunteer my time.
The sale was held Fri, Sat, and Sun and will reopen again this coming weekend. So for anyone interested the sale will open Friday the 14th from 4 PM - 8:30 PM and I'll be there between 6:30 and 8:30 PM to hand out bags and help you anyway I can.
Then it will open saturday the 15th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday the 16th from 1:30 to 5 p.m. and remember that's bag o'books day! You get all the books you can get into a bag for $4 and if you're a good packer you can get a really good deal. Believe me I know! I'm an expert at it and I'll be there to fill as many bags as I can!
I worked the floor yesterday handing out bags and talking with people about books and had a lot of fun. There was one young girl, maybe 14 or so, who had a bag so full it was about to burst so I asked if she would like a second bag. She smiled and giggled and said, 'no thank you, I'm only allowed to fill one bag." She had the biggest smile when I said and you're doing a darn good job filling it.
Then there was a young teen age boy who when I asked if he needed a bag said, "yes, thank you, ma'm." I said, "ouch! am I that old?" He laughed and after we got his books in the bag he said, "thank you." very deliberately and smiled making a point of leaving off the ma'm.
I talked to one woman who had never read Tom Sawyer! Never read Louisa Mae Alcott! Never read Jane Eyre! Her friend couldn't believe it either so they headed for the classics section.
By the end, after being on my feet for almost 3 hours, I was trying to get kids in strollers to get out and let me get in and ride.
So, stop by, buy some books, visit for awhile, and remember it's all for a good cause. Support your library and enrich your mind!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
It's finally over - my voting experience and other stuff
Well, America is still a democracy and in a democracy majority rules and the majority chose the zero (no experience, clueless) person over a real American hero. But, we must accept their decision and remind them to be careful what they ask for they just might get it. And the future Resident Obama might want to remember it was democracy that got him there, not socialism.
Yesterday I stood in line for 2 1/2 hours to cast my vote. My hip hurt! My knees hurt! I had the intelligence to take my can along with me and I leaned on it most of the time to relieve the pressure and the pain. But, this was a historic election regardless of which way it went. We would either elect the oldest president ever and the first female VP, or we would elect the first no experience necessary mullato to the post. But it was my experience in line that was most impressive and most personal for me.
Two young black women were talking and I got in the conversation with them. I have never been one to be shy about jumping in and giving my opinion. We had a great conversation and it came out my husband taught at Morris College. One of the young women said, "get out of here! what's his name?" I told her Dr. Johnson. She said, "OMG! he's my teacher!" And she went on to rave about him. She is an older student and specifically requested his classes because she had asked other math majors, which of the teachers were the best, and his name kept coming up. She told me the reason his classes are so big is because everyone wants to get his classes. She related a story of how just a couple days before he had spent a couple hours with her helping her figure out how she could stay in class and still pass, while dealing with some personal issues. I won't go into those but it was those issues that got me into the conversation that led to this one. This young woman couldn't say enough good things about how wonderful he is as a teacher. How much he cares about his students and how they feel they can go to him about anything and know he will try to help. She did relate a funny story I hadn't heard yet and he had to laugh and say yes, it was true when I asked him. My husband loves halloween and is a big fan of the Halloween movies, so he gave 3 extra credit points to anyone who came to class and had the halloweeen movie theme on their cell phone. And that's another reason they like him. He brings fun into the classroom, but also takes the time to really teach. So, I wanted to pass that along here and say how proud that made me feel. I've always known he was a good teacher and the students liked him, but that was the first time I had heard a lot more than Hey Mrs. Johnson, I just stopped by to see my favorite teacher when will he be back?, when I'm sitting in his office.
And here's an upsetting voting happening. One of the other teachers, at the college, has a brother in Philadelphia, PA. He told her when he went to vote a large group of black Panthers were blocking the way for white voters and wouldn't let them in to vote. He is old and there was no one there to help the white voters get past them, so he didn't vote. The funny thing is he was going to vote for Obama! Interesting how they were so racist that because they were voting for Obama because he's part black, they presumed the whites were just as racist as them. Interesting.
So, now we move forward and resident elect Obama will be sworn in this coming January. I hope I'm wrong about him, but my gut tells me I'm not. We can only wait and see.
I have always been proud of my country and one election does not make me any less proud or any more proud. It is still my America. Still my country! and I will do whatever I can to save her and keep our freedoms and keep America the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Yesterday I stood in line for 2 1/2 hours to cast my vote. My hip hurt! My knees hurt! I had the intelligence to take my can along with me and I leaned on it most of the time to relieve the pressure and the pain. But, this was a historic election regardless of which way it went. We would either elect the oldest president ever and the first female VP, or we would elect the first no experience necessary mullato to the post. But it was my experience in line that was most impressive and most personal for me.
Two young black women were talking and I got in the conversation with them. I have never been one to be shy about jumping in and giving my opinion. We had a great conversation and it came out my husband taught at Morris College. One of the young women said, "get out of here! what's his name?" I told her Dr. Johnson. She said, "OMG! he's my teacher!" And she went on to rave about him. She is an older student and specifically requested his classes because she had asked other math majors, which of the teachers were the best, and his name kept coming up. She told me the reason his classes are so big is because everyone wants to get his classes. She related a story of how just a couple days before he had spent a couple hours with her helping her figure out how she could stay in class and still pass, while dealing with some personal issues. I won't go into those but it was those issues that got me into the conversation that led to this one. This young woman couldn't say enough good things about how wonderful he is as a teacher. How much he cares about his students and how they feel they can go to him about anything and know he will try to help. She did relate a funny story I hadn't heard yet and he had to laugh and say yes, it was true when I asked him. My husband loves halloween and is a big fan of the Halloween movies, so he gave 3 extra credit points to anyone who came to class and had the halloweeen movie theme on their cell phone. And that's another reason they like him. He brings fun into the classroom, but also takes the time to really teach. So, I wanted to pass that along here and say how proud that made me feel. I've always known he was a good teacher and the students liked him, but that was the first time I had heard a lot more than Hey Mrs. Johnson, I just stopped by to see my favorite teacher when will he be back?, when I'm sitting in his office.
And here's an upsetting voting happening. One of the other teachers, at the college, has a brother in Philadelphia, PA. He told her when he went to vote a large group of black Panthers were blocking the way for white voters and wouldn't let them in to vote. He is old and there was no one there to help the white voters get past them, so he didn't vote. The funny thing is he was going to vote for Obama! Interesting how they were so racist that because they were voting for Obama because he's part black, they presumed the whites were just as racist as them. Interesting.
So, now we move forward and resident elect Obama will be sworn in this coming January. I hope I'm wrong about him, but my gut tells me I'm not. We can only wait and see.
I have always been proud of my country and one election does not make me any less proud or any more proud. It is still my America. Still my country! and I will do whatever I can to save her and keep our freedoms and keep America the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Another Obamanation!
While visiting PA Obama made promises to reopen the coal mines that had closed, he would rebuild the coal industry and create jobs for the coal miners in PA! Yes sir! He was going to help the coal industry get back in business because coal was a natural resource already here and it would make us less dependent on foreign oil! But, earlier this year in CA he promised them he would close down the coal industry by bankrupting them! Just listen here!
and here's The gift that keeps on giving, Joe Biden, telling a citizen no coal plants in America!
So, PA, OH, and VA I hope you had the news turned on this morning, because that had to come as big shock to you. This is why it's important to have connections throughout the states and across racial lines so you know what each candidate is telling people in other states. My sister, in PA, told me what he had said and she said she knew he was lying then, but sadly there were those who believed him. Hopefully now they will realize he speaks with forked tongue.
Do we need clean coal You betcha! Is bankrupting the coal industry the way to do it? I don't think so!
and here's The gift that keeps on giving, Joe Biden, telling a citizen no coal plants in America!
So, PA, OH, and VA I hope you had the news turned on this morning, because that had to come as big shock to you. This is why it's important to have connections throughout the states and across racial lines so you know what each candidate is telling people in other states. My sister, in PA, told me what he had said and she said she knew he was lying then, but sadly there were those who believed him. Hopefully now they will realize he speaks with forked tongue.
Do we need clean coal You betcha! Is bankrupting the coal industry the way to do it? I don't think so!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Is There Blog Life After the Election?
I have to admit this has been the most fun I've had blogging in a long time. How super of the dems to give us this totally unqualified, clueless (I didn't know my reverand was a racist, I didn't know my friends were terrorists and the latest and the best! I didn't know my aunt was here illegally and should be dealt with according to the law) and naive candidate to run against a totally qualified, yet not blameless, republican candidate who has served his country since he was 17 and sincerely wants to get America back for the people and away from big government. Yet, it may be we get this "other one" for president and believe me it will choke our military to have to call him commander in chief! OMG! what an insult to our great men and women in uniform if that should actually happen. But I truly don't think it will. If early voting in Florida is any indication (on the news yesterday they gave some figures from exit polling and it's 49% McCain and 45% Obama). So far it's been black and elderly voters - the youth vote has not made it's voice heard. Also, the pundits are reminding us the polls that show Obama so far ahead are polls of all Americans (not just register and likely voters). They explained there are three types of polls - the all Americans gives Obama a huge margin. The registered voters cuts it down quite a bit, but the likely voters gives him only a 2 point lead. So, it's not over yet. Obama may have written his inaugural speech, picked his cabinet and measured for new drapes, but I think he better sit back and take stock so there won't be too much of a shock when McCain wins on tuesday night.
But after tuesday - oh my! what will we fill our blogs with when we have not candidates to build up or put down? What will we write about when all the hoopla dies down and America gets back to being America. With McCain/Palin in office that is what will happen.
And did you see the crowd at the McCain rally in Ohio yesterday? I've seen blogs that say he's lucky to get 1,000 people or 10,000 people and I wondered where they got their numbers because I've seen some of his rallies and Palin's rallies and they are packed! There must have been over 200,000 to 300,000 people at this one. And most wearing Joe tshirts and caps! It was exciting to watch and hear him speak. He's become a hero to the average 'joe' with his backing Joe the Plumber while the Obama camp was laughing at him and trying to disgrace him for daring to ask a real question of Obama and catching him off guard with his spread the wealth remark.
Have you noticed that when anyone dares show him for his true self they are smeared and humiliated? Now that's the kind of leader we need! One who can't take criticism without having to get a payback. One who only wants people who totally agree with him or they will be kicked off his plane. Did you all hear about that one? Three reporters were kicked off the Obama campaign jet because their papers printed editorials in favor of McCain or pointed out a flaw in Obama.
Anyway, It's John McCain all the way! He has already proven to be a real American who cares more about his country than his own well being. He has an economic plan that will get us back on our feet and not push us further into a recession. He has a tax plan that will benefit everyone, not just the ones he feels should benefit. He will not take your hard earned dollars and 'spread the wealth' to those who don't work as hard and just want hand outs. He will not tax us into the poor house while spending money on pork barrel projects. He will not take us out of Iraq hanging our heads in defeat, but will lead us to victory! He will lead us to victory in Afghanistan as well. He is a president for all the people! He is what America needs right now. Obama said if he doesn't win this one he'll go back to the senate and run again in four years. That sounds very good to me!
So don't forget tuesday to get out and vote and cast your vote for the president for America! Vote McCain/Palin and save our great country!
Is there blog life after the election? I guess we'll find out!
But after tuesday - oh my! what will we fill our blogs with when we have not candidates to build up or put down? What will we write about when all the hoopla dies down and America gets back to being America. With McCain/Palin in office that is what will happen.
And did you see the crowd at the McCain rally in Ohio yesterday? I've seen blogs that say he's lucky to get 1,000 people or 10,000 people and I wondered where they got their numbers because I've seen some of his rallies and Palin's rallies and they are packed! There must have been over 200,000 to 300,000 people at this one. And most wearing Joe tshirts and caps! It was exciting to watch and hear him speak. He's become a hero to the average 'joe' with his backing Joe the Plumber while the Obama camp was laughing at him and trying to disgrace him for daring to ask a real question of Obama and catching him off guard with his spread the wealth remark.
Have you noticed that when anyone dares show him for his true self they are smeared and humiliated? Now that's the kind of leader we need! One who can't take criticism without having to get a payback. One who only wants people who totally agree with him or they will be kicked off his plane. Did you all hear about that one? Three reporters were kicked off the Obama campaign jet because their papers printed editorials in favor of McCain or pointed out a flaw in Obama.
Anyway, It's John McCain all the way! He has already proven to be a real American who cares more about his country than his own well being. He has an economic plan that will get us back on our feet and not push us further into a recession. He has a tax plan that will benefit everyone, not just the ones he feels should benefit. He will not take your hard earned dollars and 'spread the wealth' to those who don't work as hard and just want hand outs. He will not tax us into the poor house while spending money on pork barrel projects. He will not take us out of Iraq hanging our heads in defeat, but will lead us to victory! He will lead us to victory in Afghanistan as well. He is a president for all the people! He is what America needs right now. Obama said if he doesn't win this one he'll go back to the senate and run again in four years. That sounds very good to me!
So don't forget tuesday to get out and vote and cast your vote for the president for America! Vote McCain/Palin and save our great country!
Is there blog life after the election? I guess we'll find out!
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