pandora

A stay-at-home mom with an obsession for National politics.

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

Filed in National by on February 24, 2016 84 Comments
It’s Time I Got Off The Fence – My Presidential Endorsement

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.

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

Filed in Arts and Entertainment by on February 23, 2016 0 Comments
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.

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Can We Learn From This?

Filed in Delaware by on February 17, 2016 27 Comments
Can We Learn From This?

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.

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Last Night’s Democratic Debate & Ezra Temko’s complete play by play

Filed in National by on February 12, 2016 6 Comments
Last Night’s Democratic Debate & Ezra Temko’s complete play by play

Did you watch? I did, and I thought both candidates did well. There wasn’t a knock out punch on either side, but there were some hits.

Who do you think won?

Here is Ezra’s complete play by play:

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Attention All Democrats, Liberals, and Progressives

Filed in National by on February 10, 2016 40 Comments
Attention All Democrats, Liberals, and Progressives

It’s no secret that I can’t get 100% behind a candidate. Whatever. I’m a mess. Yep, it’s me, not you. Here’s what we can do… Given the fact (yes, fact) that neither one of our candidates will get their agenda through Congress, we will need to stay focused and supportive. Some (some, not all) of […]

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An Attempt To Figure Out Why I’m Still Not Feeling The Bern

Filed in National by on February 9, 2016 74 Comments
An Attempt To Figure Out Why I’m Still Not Feeling The Bern

I’m going to just put everything out there – which means this post will probably be all over the place. Forgive me for repeating myself, but one of my biggest issues with Bernie Sanders is his limited platform and the way all, and I do mean all, roads lead to income equality. That just isn’t […]

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

Filed in National by on February 8, 2016 50 Comments
We’re Going To Have To Talk About Sexism Because It’s Surrounding Us

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?

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This One’s For You, Kevin

Filed in Delaware by on January 29, 2016 23 Comments
This One’s For You, Kevin

Earlier today I asked Kevin O. to stop turning Delaware Dem’s death penalty post into an abortion post. My comment was brief, but I should have taken the time to explain that his comments were off topic and that he was free to post his thoughts on an open thread. For that, I apologize. Kevin […]

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

Filed in National by on January 27, 2016 7 Comments
Oregon Militia Leader (And Several Others) Arrested. One Dead

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.

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A Learning Experience – College Roomies

Filed in National by on January 14, 2016 32 Comments

My daughter started college last fall and within the first two weeks her roommate dropped out. That meant she had the dorm room to herself, which she loved at first, but then grew to feel she was missing out on an important part of the college experience. I agreed. That changed over the holidays. My […]

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Virginia GOP Bill Would Result In School Children Having To Show Their Genitals – Not. Kidding.

Filed in National by on January 13, 2016 5 Comments
Virginia GOP Bill Would Result In School Children Having To Show Their Genitals – Not. Kidding.

Yesterday I wrote about a North Carolina A state law requiring that doctors who perform an abortion after the 16th week of pregnancy supply an ultrasound to state officials. If you thought that was creepy, take a look at Virginia.

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Fetus Pictures Being Sent To Government Officials

Filed in National by on January 12, 2016 2 Comments
Fetus Pictures Being Sent To Government Officials

Of all the slippery slope arguments this one actually has merit. RALEIGH, N.C. — A state law requiring that doctors who perform an abortion after the 16th week of pregnancy supply an ultrasound to state officials has sparked a new and bitter front in the war over abortion here, with stakes that are both personal […]

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We Can Be Heroes

Filed in National by on January 11, 2016 11 Comments

David Bowie has died. Out of all the musicians I listened to, Bowie was my first and lasting love. I’ll leave you with my favorite Bowie song.

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