It’s Time I Got Off The Fence – My Presidential Endorsement

It’s Time I Got Off The Fence – My Presidential Endorsement

84 Comments
Here's where I began. Before Bernie Sanders entered the primary I was fine with Hillary Clinton. Basically, I knew what I would be voting for (warts and all). Nothing anyone says about her is new to me. That doesn't mean I agree with her on everything. It just means that I was open to supporting a Sanders' nomination. I even wrote a post about it and commented on it extensively. I'm going to be really honest here. Many of the comments from Bernie supporters on this site concerned me.  I heard a lot about why social issues weren't important and would have to wait - suddenly incrementalism was A-okay.  That surprised me, and concerned me, since Dems are going to desperately (and I mean desperately) need the votes of black and brown people, women, non-Christians, the LGTB community, and other minority groups in November. Not to mention that every time I asked for reasons to support Bernie I received a host of reasons to not support Hillary. Basically, I wasn't comfortable with the strategy of "My candidate doesn't suck as much as your candidate" comments. And boy, there were a ton of those. To me, that shows a weakness of your candidate. Guess you've already figured out who I'm going with. I'd already admitted weeks ago I was leaning towards Hillary. The time since has merely strengthened my stance.
Let’s Lighten Things Up – I Saw Deadpool Last Night

Let’s Lighten Things Up – I Saw Deadpool Last Night

We aren't a big "go out to the movies" couple. Normally, we prefer to stream - so we can rewind when we miss lines, grab a drink/snack and take bathroom breaks. That makes me feel old. But last night we went to the IMAX theater on the Riverfront and watched Deadpool. I had some reservations - I didn't like The Hangover, much to my son's dismay - but ten minutes in I loved this movie. It hit the perfect note in sarcasm, silliness, and action. Yep, Mr. Pandora and I laughed out loud. It was clever and fun. FYI: This is not a children's movie. Not. One. Bit.
Can We Learn From This?

Can We Learn From This?

27 Comments
There’s been an interesting evolution in the DL comment section. I wanted to give my take on it. Whenever the subjects of race, women’s issues, religion (mostly concerning Muslims), LGBT, etc. come up and white privilege is pointed out we hear white people quickly saying “not all white people” and then sharing their reasons as to why they are the exceptions to whatever is being discussed. This derails the conversation, moving it away from whatever social issue is being discussed and putting the focus on white people's concerns. I have lost count on the number of posts on DL where this has happened, and I'd like to figure out how we can stop doing this.
We’re Going To Have To Talk About Sexism Because It’s Surrounding Us

We’re Going To Have To Talk About Sexism Because It’s Surrounding Us

50 Comments
Basically, everyone needs to stop the sexist behavior, whether it is in the form of BernieBros or the Women on Women Crime that Gloria Steinem and Madeline Albright engaged in. If we did, perhaps, we could discuss issues like Climate Change, reproductive rights, immigration, Police brutality, improving our education system, Foreign Policy (altho this was touched on in the last debate) our crumbling infrastructure - you know, things that our candidates aren't discussing. Personally, I'd like to hear about these issues, as well as income inequality. Hopefully I get my wish because these things matter, too. Income inequality is an important issue, but it isn't the only one, and right now I'm not sure where the candidates stand on other issues that matter to me. That's a problem for me. A BIG one. It's probably the reason I can't pick a candidate. I need more, because the office of President is about more, but you wouldn't know that by listening to the debates. Guess I'm saying, I completely understand where each candidates stand on income inequality... can we start to include other things? There actually are other things. Meanwhile, can we step up our game and drop the sexism on both sides?
Oregon Militia Leader (And Several Others) Arrested. One Dead

Oregon Militia Leader (And Several Others) Arrested. One Dead

7 Comments
The arrested are facing Federal felony charges of "conspiracy to impede officers through the use of force, intimidation or threats". I'm not sure what these arrests will lead to. Will the remaining militia members surrender and/or go home, or will they hunker down and prepare to retaliate? I have a bad feeling about this, and I do think law enforcement allowed this situation to go on far too long. I have trouble envisioning a scenario where the militia packs up and leaves peacefully without achieving any of their goals. They came armed for a fight and over the past few weeks have pushed the envelope toward confrontation - removing fences, threatening citizens, convening their own court, etc.. Yeah, I have a really bad feeling. I hope I'm wrong about where this is headed.