It's almost time!

Just 4 more days until we leave on our vacation! I'm so excited! I can't wait to be able to post my own pictures of the trip! :-)

Texans say "Don't Mess with Obama"

From Obama HQ:

3:50pm Update by Phil - Harris County, Senate District 15 just reported. Huge for Obama -- of the 1,431 in attendance, 1,056 for Obama, and 375 for Clinton. With 217 delegates to split, that means Obama got 160 to 57 over Clinton in Harris County, SD 15.

Thanks to my friends in Harris County!

Do Billionaires Own the Democratic Party?

I don't know if you saw this, but 20 big Clinton donors tried to bully Nancy Pelosi for saying that superdelegates should let the voters decide who becomes the Democratic nominee. This is the worst kind of insider politics, and it has to stop.

You and I and everyone who has ever given money or time to a progressive candidate make up the backbone of this party.

We need to send a strong signal that we, the small donors, will back Democratic leaders with the courage to stand up for Democracy in the Democratic party. Please join me and sign this statement today.

http://pol.moveon.org/democracy/?r_by=12391-8466158-_HsIoU&rc=comment_paste

Thanks!

Yup.

From the great cartoonist over at toothpaste for dinner

Some more Obama-luvin

Oh, Twisted Sister... thank you.

Glad to know they're looking out for us

I was BLOWN AWAY when I saw this. I mean, I know DICK Cheney has always lived up to his (first) name, but this is just, wow.

So?? "No, I don't care what the American people think. I can't be swayed in my decisions by what the American people want!" Great.

Dana Perino, the current White House press secretary explained in her March 20 briefing:

"You had input. The American people have input every four years, and that's the way our system is set up."

So, apparently, this isn't a government "by the people, for the people, and of the people." Because, according to Perino, it's just "by the people." After that, screw you, we'll just put DICK in charge, who's never blown off course by the demands and desires of the people that put him there in the first place. Makes me feel really great about our "democracy."

Still wonder why Obama is so popular? Why he's so successful in his campaign for HOPE and CHANGE?

My new favorite dog

Sometimes I spend far too much time looking online for dogs, but I found her and fell in love. Now, let's see if my landlord says it's okay... otherwise I'll have to wait until we buy a place, however many thousands of years from now that will be!

Video of the endorsement

Another Key Endorsement

I just learned that later today, former Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson will be formally endorsing Barack Obama for president. He sent a message to his supporters earlier that was both encouraging and clear about his reasons for the endorsement:

Dear Friend,

During the last year, I have shared with you my vision and hopes for this nation as we look to repair the damage of the last seven years. And you have shared your support, your ideas and your encouragement to my campaign. We have been through a lot together and that is why I wanted to tell you that, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, I have made a decision to endorse Barack Obama for President.

We are blessed to have two great American leaders and great Democrats running for President. My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall. The 1990's were a decade of peace and prosperity because of the competent and enlightened leadership of the Clinton administration, but it is now time for a new generation of leadership to lead America forward. Barack Obama will be a historic and a great President, who can bring us the change we so desperately need by bringing us together as a nation here at home and with our allies abroad.

Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama gave an historic speech. that addressed the issue of race with the eloquence, sincerity, and optimism we have come to expect of him. He inspired us by reminding us of the awesome potential residing in our own responsibility. He asked us to rise above our racially divided past, and to seize the opportunity to carry forward the work of many patriots of all races, who struggled and died to bring us together.

As a Hispanic, I was particularly touched by his words. I have been troubled by the demonization of immigrants--specifically Hispanics-- by too many in this country. Hate crimes against Hispanics are rising as a direct result and now, in tough economic times, people look for scapegoats and I fear that people will continue to exploit our racial differences--and place blame on others not like them . We all know the real culprit -- the disastrous economic policies of the Bush Administration!

Senator Obama has started a discussion in this country long overdue and rejects the politics of pitting race against race. He understands clearly that only by bringing people together, only by bridging our differences can we all succeed together as Americans.

His words are those of a courageous, thoughtful and inspiring leader, who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after nearly eight years of George W. Bush, we desperately need such a leader.

To reverse the disastrous policies of the last seven years, rebuild our economy, address the housing and mortgage crisis, bring our troops home from Iraq and restore America's international standing, we need a President who can bring us together as a nation so we can confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad.

During the past year, I got to know Senator Obama as we campaigned against each other for the Presidency, and I felt a kinship with him because we both grew up between worlds, in a sense, living both abroad and here in America. In part because of these experiences, Barack and I share a deep sense of our nation's special responsibilities in the world.

So, once again, thank you for all you have done for me and my campaign. I wanted to make sure you understood my reasons for my endorsement of Senator Obama. I know that you, no matter what your choice, will do so with the best interests of this nation, in your heart.

Sincerely,

Bill Richardson

This is a key endorsement for a number of reasons. First, Richardson was doing quite well in the early primaries, generally reaching 4th place, right behind Obama, Clinton, and Edwards, which means he had a lot of voters supporting and listening to him. Second, obviously, is his influence among Latino voters. As much as I don't like to say that people will vote for or listen to a person based on their race, it is still a truth in this country. Clinton has been a bit more successful than Obama in courting the "Hispanic vote" in most of the primary elections, so the fact that a Latino leader has chosen to publicly support Obama should play out much to his favor in the primaries still to come. Third, Richardson is a superdelegate, which clearly helps as Obama works to close the gap in Clinton's superdelegate lead. Fourth, both candidates have been fighting to get his endorsement over the last few weeks, and he has been named as a potential running mate for either candidate.

Whoo, an Obama-Richardson ticket? I would love, love, love it! Of course, many right-wing old whities would balk at the thought of a BLACK man and an HISPANIC man running our country, but then again, was there ever any hope of wooing them away from McCain anyway? Wow, talk about a very much needed change for our country!

Plus, one of Richardson's biggest passions is fixing education in this country and improving both pay and working conditions for teachers. Hooray!

Visit to the dentist

So, I have to get a bunch of crowns put on my teeth, and today was the first of many torturous appointments. The dentist had to drill into two of my back left molars to get out all of the old fillings, then do impressions for the crowns, then fit me with temporaries until the crowns are made. I was there for a total of 2 hours, and as you can see, the left side of my mouth is still numb. I feel yucky.

Now, Who's a Good Peep?

Don't be a Bad Peep by trying to drive to the Nats new stadium this season! I promise, this ad is for real. WMATA spent about $8 to make it, and they've promised us that no Peeps were harmed in the process.

Never Fails

Obama continues to impress me. I don't know if I have been hearing about this nonstop for the past couple of days because I live in the DC area, because I'm a political junkie, or because everyone knows about it, but Obama's Chicago minister made some incredibly angry, divisive, hateful remarks in a recent sermon.

While I can sympathize with many of his sentiments, I do think he gets quite impassioned and a bit carried away. Many people are criticizing Obama for even associating with Wright and question whether Obama is bringing the country the "Wright Message." Obama chose to speak today in PA in response to Wright's remarks, who has now retired from the ministry.

Holla Back

So, I'm wondering who out there is reading my blog of late. Give me a shout-out in the comments section to let me know you're around! And who knows, it might actually give me motivation to post more often to entertain you all :-)

Countdown

Only 18 days until we leave on vacation to Belgium/Holland! Hooray! We're really excited...

Here's a link to our COUNTDOWN to fly out!

Places we'll be staying:

Les Jardins d'Annevoie

Oma's house in 's-Hertogenbosch

Karin's house in Amstelveen (outside of Amsterdam)

Hotel Les Bluets

Yay!

It's Spring Break!!

Hooray!!!!!

Obama wins another one!

So, Obama has won Mississippi. Most delegate counts have him about 130 ahead of Clinton. The next primary isn't until Pennsylvania on April 22. What am I going to do for the next 6 weeks??

Slowly, but surely

He's getting closer! Even with the unfortunate results of Tuesday's primary elections, Obama has maintained his delegate lead over Clinton. I was really hoping for a conclusive decision on Tuesday, but I'm surely not giving up HOPE! Besides, the next few elections in Wyoming, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania are sure to go much differently.

I just hope Clinton doesn't tear Obama down so much in the next few weeks that McCain has plenty of fodder in the fall.

Yes, we can!

Another reason to love Obama

So, I didn't think I could support Obama any more than I already did, but I fell in love with his politics all over again when I read this today on his website's Community Blog. It is from his Town Hall meeting in Parma, Ohio last night.

One woman whose father is currently serving in Iraq asked Barack how he would "get the fear out of the American people." Barack responded:

Our job on the military front is to go after those who would do us harm. We also need to strengthen our homeland security, which we still have not fully done. We need to make ports secure, make sure chemical and nuclear plants are properly guarded.

...What is probably going to be most important for us in the long term is to regain the trust of the 1.3 Muslims in the world. We need to build schools, help dig wells in countries that don't have drinkable water, and assist in providing public health for people with HIV/AIDS. When we send the message that we are interesting in helping them improve their lives, you will see an improvement in our image on the world stage.

...America is at its best when it's not fearful. Our most shameful times are when people are afraid. We need a president who projects the confidence of America -- our values and our ideals.

I believe that this is such a wonderful response to America's problem in the world today. I'm so glad to see someone with the chance to be this country's next president recognize how crucial education is changing the world's understanding and perception of America and the West.

Have you read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin? Do it. When Muslim students in Pakistan and Afghanistan (specifically, but clearly elsewhere, as well) have NO school to go to, because their government has clogged the system and not allowed money or supplies to be sent, mostly to the rural areas of their country, for the building of a school or the salary of a qualified teacher, the children instead go to their next best option, a madrassa. A madrassa in this sense is an Islamic religious school. While not a problem in and of itself - many students of madrassas go on to become imams and other religious leaders - in the Himalayan region of Pakistan and Afghanistan, many of the teachers there are Muslim fundamentalists who teach their own interpretation of the Qur'an, including, often, the belief in a reward of 72 virgins waiting in heaven for those who are martyrs in jihad, along with a hatred toward things Western.

How much change could come if this country started acting towards others in a way that was more about helping and improving instead of fighting wars to protect our "imperial claims?"

If you don't support Obama already, and hey, even if you do, please go learn more about him.

Answer the Phone!!

So, Hillary Clinton released this TV spot a day or two ago:

Barack Obama, always the good sport, responded with this:

What do you think?