Sparks and Butterflies

I’m still rather sick, and definitely not with it on my daily routine. So, to kill time, I’m going through my bookmarks, ’cause I can do that without a lot of thinking. I wanted to share this video with you. Maybe you’ve seen it – it was uploaded two years ago – but I just found it, and it’s amazing. If you haven’t seen it, watch it the whole way through. There are some plot twists, and considering it’s a home video of wild animals, you’d think that is a strange statement. But it’s true.

It’s not embeddable – so go watch Battle at Kruger.

There are a few books I remember from my childhood.  Trixie Belden.  Judy Blume.  Encyclopedia Brown.  Mrs. Piggle Wiggle.  The boxcar children.  Little House on the Prairie.  Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.  Anne of Green Gables.  All those memories.  Leaving my life and enjoying theirs.  All those memories came from the library.  Hours and hours.

Many of you have already heard about CPSCIA.  You can read more about the act at the link, but the basic synopsis is – many if not most handmade children’s retailers, and thrift/secondhand retail shops will close.  The act requires testing for lead.  Of every.single.item used in a product, by each retailer, in every form of the item.  Even if someone else, already has tested from the batch.  Even if another retailer has already tested the item.  So – these retailers and small homemade manufactures will have to close their doors because they simply can’t afford the testing.  Think about it.  If you sell a onesie for $10, but it costs hundreds of dollars to test that version, how many do you need to sell to break even merely on the testing?  Not too mention the manufacturing costs.  Now multiply that by the various versions and sizes.  It just doesn’t work.

What I didn’t realize is this, as of now, also applies to paper materials.  As in books.  As in libraries.

Under the CPSIA, which was passed by Congress in August, children’s products are required to undergo stringent testing for lead and phthalates. Currently, the General Counsel of the CPSC  is interpreting the law  to  apply to ordinary, paper-based books for children  12  years of age or younger, so that all such books and product would have to be tested for lead content.  Therefore, public, school, academic and museum libraries would be required either to remove all their children’s books or ban all children under 12 from visiting the facilities as of February 10.

This comes from the American Library Association.

Do you remember seeing any reports of lead poisoning of children and babies from their clothing?  From the books they read.

Come February 10th – unless the laws change, you’ll now be required to go to the stores that can afford the testing.  And you’ll be buying all your children’s books new.  Forget the mom you buy bibs from.  Forget library days at school.

Welcome to our Brave New World.

I suppose I should have something profound today.  I do not.  This is a historical day.  That is not lost on me.  Change is coming.  That is not lost on me.  I pray that my trepidation is unfounded.  I pray that the changes, ultimately, end up being good.

But for now, I just wish former President George W. Bush well in his future life with his wife.  I wish President Barack Obama well in his term.  I pray he has discernment and wisdom.

~

New post up at Blissfully Domestic – Speech Therapy – A Quick Look.

I have a really stupid question.  Is Veteran’s Day to honor all that have served in the armed forces, or just the ones that have been in conflicts?

I’m going to pretend it’s all.

In which case I’m honoring my husband, a former Marine.  My father, former Army.  My grandfather, deceased, former Air Force, and WWII Veteran.  My Uncle, deceased, former Navy, and WWII Veteran.

I’m also honoring my Great-Grandmother, deceased, who was a Rosie during WWII.

Thank you for all your sacrifices.  Thank you for your courage.  Thank you for your service.

Well, the presidential elections have come to a close (Thank God.)

My reaction?  I’m bitterly dissappointed.  I’m still waiting on two California Props, which are going my way as of this writing, but are too close not to wait to the bitter end for the final results.  But as for the presidency, I’m terribly, terribly dissappointed.  I did not want President-Elect Obama to be my president.  I did not vote for him.

I’ve always said that even if you don’t like the president as an individual, you still need to respect the office he holds.  This is the first year that it’s going to take me a few days to get over my bitterness and get to that point.  I will.  I think I just need to go through a small grieving process after all my hoping during the last year.

Beyond the presidency, I honestly fear for my country this time around.  It seems to me that in previous years, there’s been more of a balance of power…  That is missing now.  It is truly a liberal government now, and that, to be completely honest, scares me.  Why?  Because I don’t see a checks and balance.  That frightening to me.  Because the system, as we hold hold dear, will simply further an agenda, rather than hold it accountable.

Obviously, we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds.

Although, I have to say…  A part of me is glad that President-Elect Obama was elected…  That perhaps an African American president will further the eradication of raciscm in our country.  I just wish that it had been a candidate that I could back.

So, for now…  I must force it out.  Congratulations, President-Elect Obama.  Please…  Please.  Prove me wrong.

And to Senator McCain.  Thank you.  Thank you for your continued service to our country.  Regardless of any campaign shortcomings, you have proven your allegiance to this country, and then some.

What I have to say may seem vague, and circular.  It may make no sense at all.  In fact, I’m not sure I have the words to express the emotions behind it.  But I want to get it out of my head, and this is the best way I know how to do it.

As we all have witnessed, there is ugliness in the “masses” in terms of this election cycle, candidates, and propositions on the table.  I wrote about it a bit before.

Now it’s personal.  Because I just realized that someone I respect, if they truly knew how I feel, and what I feel, finds me evil and bigoted.  Now that I know that, I don’t know that I can associate with her anymore.   Not because of how she feels about these issues, but because of what she would feel about me. This person is more than an acquaintance, but not an actual friend.  One of those in between people.  And yet?  It hurts me greatly.

Before these elections, I – and I imagine, many people like me – maybe didn’t get too involved in political machinations.  They probably voted the party line, because they knew that in general, they were of that political affiliation.  But this election, I feel people are more passionate, and more educated, and are actively seeking out that information.  They’re vocal.  They’re expressive.  And there is judgment.

But regardless of who wins the election, and what props pass and don’t…  We then have to live our lives.  and the smaller picture – those people in our lives right now – the small microcosm we actually live, eat and breathe in.  And frankly, I believe that this election has caused large rifts.  Rifts between families, colleagues, friends.  We’ve all had to delve deep into what we feel and why.  We have this constant need to defend our views and our choices.  That’s going to come to roost.  It already has started.

I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to have a lighthearted conversation with this person again.  Because she thinks I’m evil.  I so very much want to show this person why I feel the things I do.  What path I took to get there.  What I’ve seen in my life to shape my choices.  Basically, defend myself.  I won’t.  I won’t talk to her about it.  She has her opinions for a reason.  She is passionate about that, and I respect that, so I won’t draw her into a debate that neither of us will win.  It’ll just create more hurt.  And those reasons place me in a category of persons that she does not feel holds her same moral code.  I’m not judging her for this.  I see how and why and where it comes from.  She has made her stance clear, and concise.

Regardless…  This makes me terribly sad.  Because I’ve lost something valuable there.

So my question becomes, how do we as a country on down to the next door neighbor continue to cohabitate after this election?  How?  I certainly don’t have the answers.  That’s why I’m asking the question.  That’s my main concern.  I would think most voters, by now, know who they’re voting for.  So – even though we don’t know the outcome, it’s a done deal.  So now I’m growing very concerned about how we come together to live peacefully with one another in the aftermath.

I think it’s important to remember 9/11/01.  For my family, as my sons are too young to remember it themselves, and for myself.  So I never forget.

I remember exactly where I was.  Asleep.  Living on the West Coast, not working, and Poe was working nights, and he had gotten home and was asleep too.  My mother-in-law called and woke us up.  I remember thinking, “Someone had better be dead for this phone to be ringing.”  Imagine.

I was pregnant with Logan…  Although I can’t remember if we knew I was pregnant yet or not.  He’d be born the following May.  Joseph was almost 18 months old.  God, that seems a long time ago – they’re in Kindergarten and third grade now.  8 and 6.  Time flies.

I remember feeling fear, knowing we lived near a large city.  I remember my confusion with the rest of the country when we realized it wasn’t just the towers, but the pentagon and another flight as well.  I remember watching the towers fall.  I remember the tears.  I remember remaining hooked to the TV in the following days, wanting any information – and feeling out of touch if the TV wasn’t on.  I eventally had to turn it off, and not watch at all until some time had passed.  I remember the brave men and women, including civilians, who died trying to help.  I remember the complete helplessness I felt.  I remember not knowing if I was actually safe.

I don’t ever want to forget those people who died that day.  They existed.  They mattered.  They were important to someone in their lives, and they’re important now.

I remember.

Updated:  I wanted to add a link to an entry from a survivor.  I forget, sometimes, that there were survivors, I still love you New York

This is not about politics, Republicans, Democrats or the elections.  If you politicize this in comments, your comment will be deleted – even if I love you.

I’m sitting here at my computer with CNN Live.  Cindy McCain just finished, the video has finished, John McCain is up next.

I had thought I wouldn’t get involved politically on my blog…  Twitter…  Blogs…  There’s something I’m seeing that I find disturbing.  The venom.  The absolute venom shot at people of a different party than you.  Venom at the the candidates of a different party than you.  Venom shot at families. Attack their stance on the issues that matter to you…  Challenge that.  I think that’s necessary as a citizen, and also an exercise in articulating your own beliefs for the next time you’re asked to expound on your beliefs.

Attacking the hair?  Attacking pronunciations of a spouse?  Creating drinking games?  Making fun of people?  All the way down to the music? It’s not just in the Net either…  I’m afraid to add a bumper sticker to my car.  My car would be keyed in the parking lot for it at work.  I’m not kidding, and I’m not exaggerating.

I have – not once – made fun of anyone in the other party than myself.  Not once.  Not even alone, with my husband, when no one can hear me.  I’ve certainly discussed issues with him as I do my research in order to make the best decision for myself and my family with my vote.

So far, one person seems to be doing it respectfully, that I’ve noticed.  I’d like to call out Erin Kotecki Vest.  While she is a staunch supporter of Obama, in issues regarding the RNC, and McCain, she’s kept it fair, observational, and about the issues.  Even when she’s freakin’ out about something that drives her nuts on a personal level – say on Twitter, or somewhere – she’s never been derogatory.  You know what, Erin?  You have my utmost respect.  We don’t agree on a whole heck of a lot politically – but you know how to disagree with class, style, and education on your stance.

Something else.  These two men – both of them – are running for President of the United States of America.  That commands respect.  Regardless of who wins the election, the man who actually holds the office, the office itself commands respect.  Barack Obama or John McCain will be the leader of your country.  That commands respect.  You hate Bush?  I don’t care.  Take issue with his record – fine.  The office commands respect.  You hated any of the previous Presidents?  I don’t care.  The office commands respect.  Hold yourself accountable to your words and actions.  Maybe that will trickle up.

I know that you might think I’m a right wing, religious fanatic whack job.  I suppose that’s ok.  I just think you’re passionate about your beliefs.  You know what?  So am I.  I don’t deserve to be called names, if I’m not calling them.  I don’t deserve to be afraid of saying who I’m voting for.

I am voting for John McCain.

Piper Palin

…the best moment of the RNC.

I have not mentioned who I am backing in the current Presidential election.  I don’t think I have ever even shared my party affiliation.

Do I?

I know my views.  Am I willing to be put up for potential slamming?  Because lets face it – there will be slamming – there always is, you know?

Do I put that button over in my sidebar?

Do I argue about political headlines?

These are not rhetorical questions…  I would like to know your views.  I’ve tended to stay away from major theological discussions and politics, because it’s my feeling that I have my views, you have your views.  I’m not changing your mind, you’re not changing mine.  Why argue?

But with politics saturating every bit of our media (and in this case, good reason, a new potential leader of the country we reside in) staying silent seems…  weak.  I’m looking for a different word, but it escapes me.  Cowardly maybe?

But then – is opening myself up for the potential hatred (as opposed to reasoned debate of opposing opinions) is something I’m not sure I want in my life right now.  Politics – just like religion – is a major big time hot button on people’s emotions.

So – do you wear your political heart on your sleeve?