Category Archives: politics

Visit there, visit here

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Two weekends ago Billy, Will and I went to Portland for my grandmother’s (mormor) memorial. We were there Friday to Sunday. Then the next day we had visitors from Monday to Thursday. Wow, this last week really packed a punch. Traveling with a little one makes everything that much more exciting. Will is actually a pretty good traveler which helps a lot. Add to the having an infant a dose of grief and a dollop of cramming in a gathering of friends that I wanted to see (I hadn’t seen some of them in over 3 years!) it was quite a weekend.

So we had Billy’s brother and girlfriend during this last week. This was the first time they got to see Will and our loft. They gave Will an awesome turtle that lights up to project stars and moons on the ceiling. Will hasn’t paid too much attention to it yet but I certainly enjoy it. So far, I have only tried it with him when he has been very tired and cranky. I need to try it when he is in a mellow or happy mood.

They also gave us a Wii Fit! Oh my! I did not expect to get into it very much but it is fun!

This Thursday Billy’s parents are coming for their 3rd visit since Will was born. They will be here until Sunday. The weather is grey and raining in the bay area… coming from San Diego to this may be rough for them. At least there is Will to bring “sunshine” in to their lives during the visit.

…
Will calls, gotta run.

Debate on Current TV

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I watched the final debate tonight with Billy (and Will at the breast) on Current TV. They aired a “hack the debate” version of all of the presidential and vice presidential debates where people could Twitter about what they were watching and those Twitters (selected by Current TV staff) would show up on the screen. For the first one to two debates we watched in this was distracting. I tried to read the comments but it took away from the debate. I wanted to focus on what was being said by the debaters. But I found that by tonight, the final debate, I could stomach it, even enjoy it. I even “tweeted” some comments.

You can’t see this live anymore but you can watch reruns of it on Current TV on cable. You can see the site where it was aired live online but what you will find there is discussion only now. But, check it out: http://current.com/topics/88834922_hack_the_debate

Debate Pizza

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Billy asked me to pick up a half-baked pizza at our local worker owned bakery Arizmendi so that we could eat it while we watched the vice president debate. I called Arizmendi ahead of time to see what the “pizza of the day” was (answer: artichoke, red onion, pesto)and learned that you could reserve a pizza, so I did. I figured it couldn’t hurt. I got there to pick it up at 5:23pm and saw the little chalk board sign that tells you what the pizza of the day is named and it said: SOLD OUT of Blame Sarah Palin. Ha. How’d they know we wanted it for our debate dinner?

While I was in there, briefly, 2 others strolled in and were disappointed to find that the pizzas were sold out. They too had planned to dine on pizza while watching the debate.

The pizza was good. The debate was, well, interesting.

Raising Dough for Obama

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Last night Billy told me that he wanted to donate money to the Obama campaign but he also realized that we need that money too what with the baby and me not working. He was very concerned. So my brain went to storming and I presented him with the aftermath:

Ideas to help fund change via Obama:

* have a fundraiser
* invest in Obama even though we can’t afford it because that is an investment in our future.
* (oops, I forgot the third idea I had. It was late and I am sleep deprived… do you, dear reader, have an idea to insert here?)

Then I had another thought. Hmm… what if we took the money from the bike rack we are trying to sell and donate it to Obama’s campaign? Yes! He liked that idea. Wonderful! So, today I re-posted our bike rack to craigslist with the headline: “Bike Rack for Obama”.

Take a look at the posting.

What things do you have that you aren’t using anymore, you know, those things that are taking up valuable space, that you could sell to fund Obama? Join us in aiding and abetting change.

Side note: space clearing is powerful stuff. Try it and watch it change your life for the better.

love,
~Christine

Schwarzenegger To Cut Transit

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Part of the California state budget includes a proposed cut of $19 million from AC Transit ($1.4 billion in cuts in transit state-wide). Billy brought to my attention tonight that AC Transit is looking for transit riders support in letting Governor Schwarzenegger that this is concerning to the members of the East Bay community. If these cuts happen there will be fare increases and service reduction. I can tell you from experience that the AC Transit lines I take are already in need of MORE service not less.

This proposed cut is essentially a tax on the lower income people who rely on the public transit to get to work. The money needed by the government would be better found in places where it could be afforded. For instance in taxing a high priced luxury item. A car perhaps?

From AC Transit’s website:

Please call the Governor to tell him that AC Transit cannot afford to lose this funding. Let him know how important bus service is for you, your friends and family, and the community at large.

A phone call is the most effective, but a faxed letter or online comment is good, too. Thank you for your help!

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
(916) 445-2841 (phone)
(916) 558-3160 (fax)
online comment form

Living in the O writes this:

It’s simple – just call and say your name and what city you live in. Then, say that you oppose any cuts to public transit funding. Really – it takes 30 seconds so pick up your phone and call now. And if you’re too freaked out about calling, send in a fax or make a comment online.

Go to Living in the O’s blog post to read more about other things you can do to take action to help save transit.

Go here to read more from AC Transit.

Let’s get the word out on this. Pass it on.