Famous

My Letter to the Editor was published:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101215/OPINION02/712159964

I am writing this letter because I support a repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. This outdated policy discriminates against the gay members of our military and keeps qualified gay and lesbian men and women from joining our armed forces.

The policy has been found to be discriminatory and a violation of our rights and can therefore be reversed by the courts. I am asking our Congress to vote to dissolve this policy and create a means for openness in our military. Our military would be stronger with an open policy where members are not forced to lie about their sexual orientation. I am proud to know that my representatives, Rick Larsen, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, support a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

Maya Angelou

My in-laws got us a family membership to the YMCA for Christmas, and I've been taking advantage of it. Once a week, the kids go to childcare and I do some cardio, then ride the bike and read to keep moving. I read Maya Angelou's Letter to My Daughter and was especially moved by the Fannie Lou Hamer chapter. I'm copying part of it to commemorate Black History Month (I just made it!):

By Maya Angelou:
I believe that there lives a burning desire in the most sequestered private heart of every American, a desire to belong to a great country. I believe that every citizen wants to stand on the world stage and represent a noble country where the mighty do not always crush the weak and the dream of a democracy is not the sole possession of the strong.

What do I think of my country? What is there, which elevates my shoulders and stirs my blood when I hear the words, the United States of America: Do I praise my country enough? Do I laud my fellow citizens enough? What is there about my country that makes me hang my head and avert my eyes when I hear the words the United States of America, and what am I doing about it? Am I relating my disappointment to my leaders and to my fellow citizens, or am I like someone not involved, sitting high and looking low? As Americans, we should not be afraid to respond.

Back to my words: With the Olympics closing and health care debate starting back up again, I keep thinking about these two paragraphs. I've visited my senators, signed petitions and written emails supporting health care reform. I don't have a single family member that would be able to go out and find insurance on their own in this capitalistic society. It's time for reform. Should we make it possible for all Americans to get their own insurance? Should we insure people who would not be able to pay for it themselves? The answer isn't no, it's yes.

Humble

I had a humbling day at the park. I hosted another big park wedding work day with the Everett Gospel Mission. We had around 20 women there, we've got about 10 acres of dandelions, so we put a dent in the work but not much! The women who came today have nothing, or at least not much. They have a good spirit and big hearts. But they also have stories, ones I don't want to ask about. It reminds me of how much I have. It's almost hard to be around them-I drove my leather seated SUV to the grocery after and bought whatever we needed. I filled the tank up with gas, I didn't have to ration my money. I try not to buy too much, rarely buy clothes for any of us and I've cut back on fancy stuff from the store-like expensive cheese and prepackaged foods. But, I didn't have to pick between groceries or gas. Or, groceries or health insurance.

As a parent, I'm torn. I recognize my kids have more than the need, but isn't that what you want for your kids? To have more than you had. On one hand, I want them to appreciate what they've got and yet also want to give them anything they ask for, if we can afford it. I could buy a new toy for the kids, or push them on the swing for free entertainment.

In the long run, I think it's more important to teach, "No," and let your kids go without. I don't want my children to take things for granted, but I want them to have any opportunity for success that comes to them. I also want to share what we've got with people who don't. Time to sort through the toys and donate them to the mission. Along with my maternity clothes, I don't need those anymore!

Politically Active and Morally Strong

Yesterday, we visited our lady Senator, Patty Murray, and Rep. Rick Larson to be a voice of reason and ask them to support health care reform. There has been a lot of incorrect information, myths and downright slander and lies over the 'death panels' that I felt I needed to have my voice heard to those representing me! And they do represent me, both my senators and rep are supporting reform. Murray actually wrote parts of the bill.

It's not right to scare people into thinking this bill will make the government decide weather you live or die. It's not right that after living through cancer, my family is considered uninsurable, although we live healthy lives. It's not right that we spend nearly 30% of our income on health care. It is time to change health care so that it is available to all who want it and that insurance companies aren't taking advantage of us (capping your coverage, increasing rates after illness, charging $60 for my birth control, etc). That's what Obama's plan is, he's not trying to use tax dollars to perform abortions or kill your granny.

I heard a suggestion on NPR the other day that I liked: since the cash for clunkers program is going well, we should pay people to live healthier-get exercise and eat better so our health system isn't so taxed!

PS: I also asked to include dental, as I gave the kids suckers to keep 'em quiet!

PPS: I'm keeping this photo for Butter's Conscientious Objector file. In case one of the Bush twins becomes president in 20 years and tries to invade an innocent country and then tries to draft my babies! Sorry, I had to end on a wing nut note! I was restrained in my writing above.

Boys V. Girls

It's crazy how different The Boy is from The Girl. Toddler E sits and sits and colors and slowly threads tiny beads onto a wire. Butters lasted a few minutes and crushed paper then piled them on his cars. It reminds me how much kids are different from each other, and therefore parenting styles, but also how fundamentally how different boys and girls are. It start very early-competition, mothering, details, organization. My sample size is very small, but I see glaring differences already. The thing to remember is, that the difference doesn't make one better than the other. Women see things differently from men. Men see things different from women. Doesn't make it wrong or right. Just different.

In the history of our country, we've had 110 supreme court justices and 106 of them have been white men. One hundred and six. White guys. Men who never birthed a child, never let their emotions get the best of them, men who don't know what it's like to feel the way over half of this country feels. Men who don't realize how easy it is to be a white man. It's time for some differences in opinion, don't you think?