Blockades, Strikes and Other Strategies

Nobody gets by except by me.

Associate with chickens; scratch in the dirt and fight over crumbs. (Andrews, "The Traveler's Gift")

Soar with Eagles; get a bird's EYE View. See how the land LIES. About the Iranian election; we know how O got the nomination; "Where are our votes?" has a too familiar ring! But, as advised by bots, we got over it. I am truly THERE. Ruminating on it keeps me focused. I am on the earth to serve. I cannot change the past, but I can see the way to the future, with faith in myself and the collective divinity of those who arrive ready to change things up wisely.

Some techniques are effective. Find those.

Working Through Mob Mysogny

la Madrina (the Godmother), The Antimafia (Palgrave), "In the Mafia, power rests on the actual execution of violence."

Certainly Mafia women have proved to be no wallflowers in the world of violence. "Instead of leading the tide of righteous citizens against crime, women turned out to be even more entrenched in Mafia values than men," Clare Longrigg wrote in Mafia Women...

Leading the tide of righteous citizens against crime, then, must unify us in our mission. This is what makes women a pain to deal with, yet we are poised to tilt the balance of our power toward this very quality in women. Our gender is uniquely empowered to reason and temper the progression of ideas. Our survival instincts, our natural endurance and our concern for the preservation of our childrens' security distinguish our abilities to recognize, approach and master challenges to our ideals. Our desire to "stay pretty" while being hit with the best shots, drives our alternative universe colonialism.

We're getting there. Learning to dance, develop as we stretch, coreograph and set our gestures to music, we acquire both strength and flexibility. Our audience will get our best out of us. Play to them. Non-Violent in our tactics, responses and emotions, we accept each day's work as logged with the utmost faith that we will achieve our goals in the fullness of time. Enjoy and make the most of the journey and the dedicated spirits who accompany us.

Let us respect each other. We grow healthy when we value our differences along with our common interests.

Scrutinize "da ROOLZ"

This blog was created just after the R&BL Committee cheated 18 million democrats of their votes. initiated during the Primaries. After Party Unity My Ass had been declared, bona-fide leaders held onto their sanity and found support at the Just Say No Deal Coalition. There I came to hear the tales of HRC supporters who were banished from the Daily Koz, Huffington Post and such by the Overbearing Obots as the Cheeto-chomping crazies blogging in their parents' basement came to be called.

Though I had things to say, survival instincts kept my head down, my profile low and my posts carefully-worded. Lurking and occasionally commenting helped me discern the balancing forces that lend blogger credibility.

Knowing that Power hates a vacuum and that the Fourth Estate's duty is to observe and report objectively, I put most of my energy into remaining at arms length from those suicidal news organs willing to take Obama's money - however egregiously raised - to pay their bills.

Great fortunes were built during the Great Depression. Auctions sell properties foreclosed upon to investors willing to grab a bargain born of another's misfortune or bad business decisions. So, when the bailout bonanza got underway, my mind was too conditioned to seeing the Bushies skate the rules by grabbing cover from the W admin to think it was CHANGE. Bush cut a deal with 'the chosen one' to make room at the trough and keep the invitation list tight if the freshman Senator would play ball. la Bama knows a convenience when he sees one, and added just another insider's chip to his purse.

Alas: those of you who worked all your life to prepare and position yourselves to make the most of the opportunity created by Lehman Brothers' demise were chanelled to oblivion, permitting the playas to feast unfettered. Take heart: it ain't over til it's ovah.

KEEP TO THE CODE

Recently, my county chairmen (previous 3) took a petty complaint to my State Committee in an effort to unseat me. Accusing me of campaigning for John McCain, they used an email I sent in response to an invitation to express views on the way women were treated during the 2008 campaign. My comments revolved strictly around the responsibility women must assert in order to curtail the level of misogynistic attacks sustained by Palin and before her, Clinton. Resisting such outrageous slander by rejecting it is every reasonable person's duty. Seated at last Fall's County Committee fundraiser dinner with fellow dems who were honoring an elderly committee woman, I heard nothing but degrading comments about Sara Palin that shocked me. Remarks of this nature can be expected from marginal activists, but effective leadership is borne of respect for the opposition.

Sara's story isn't over. Each dismissive, ugly word expressed in contempt of her just adds to her aura. The Palin-Basher, not Sara, is diminished by such inappropriate comment.

I once organized a skate race that began in Athens, Georgia and ended at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, 86 miles away. When I trained to participate in the skate, I was shown how males are intimidated by even the prospect of losing to a distaff competitor. Pompous assertions like: 'No Girl's Gonna Beat ME!" were routine. I held my comment and bit my tongue then doubled down on my training. I had set a goal for myself and was prepared to do all it took to complete the course. For me, the Clock, not the other skaters, was the focus. I wanted to arrive in Mid Town in under eight hours. The event was a fundraiser for the Leukemia Society. Participants covered the miles pledged to raise funds. Only the testosterone-driven guys were making it a race. I never saw them give up the beer, smoke or junk food to prepare themselves for their effort.

My 'friends' who dated other skaters were unable to say anything supportive to me because their "boyfriends" were so vile and intimidating in their rejection of my leadership. But I got up before dawn every Sunday morning and skated the 17 miles to Stone Mountain. This commitment spared me the humiliation of being insulted by those fellow trainees who spent Saturday nights on the bar stool. My "Companion" was the headset that tuned me into Kasey Kasem's top 20 countdown of pop music hits. Kasey offered encouragement and amusing commentary between the week's favored requests. I laced on my skates, tapped into the headphones and logged on the miles week after week. By the end of the summer, a training associate had joined me and we shared the road work. Just do it.

That colleague finished 5th, though he had dropped out at 55 miles the previous year. We called each other "Coach." I finished 4th. We didn't "talk about it." We did it.

Mental toughness proved to be the number one requirement for weathering the criticsm. I spent many hours processing away the pain and embarassment of the things said about and to me. But at Wednesday night Buckhead Bar Rolls, I could drive up any hill and pass virtually any of those who were taunting me. By summer's end, I had logged more than ten training miles for each mile I was committed to skate. My view of those who were tormenting me became elevated. If I didn't go around their "social" outings at which they preened and postured for attention, I neither triggered no experieced their Touretts. On the other hand, the hottest skaters, ten years my junior, sought me out because I was one of the few who could keep up with them. I discovered this comforting truth:
LIONS PLAY WITH LIONS.

No mother fears for her young while they play with their peers. But the "mothers" in those guys freaked out at the sight of something they saw in me: A Better Way.
Hillary Clinton, I submit, was OVERQUALIFIED for the presidency. How many women suffer not being hired for that reason? She's now doing serious work diplomatically.

In Pirates of the Caribbean, shipmates came aboard, pledged to return the Black Pearl to Captain Jack Sparrow, who had lost his boat to the mutinous crew now cursed by the Pearl's stolen treasure. Each knew the CODE; "Every Man for Himself. If any mate falls behind, go on without him." They skirted their moral duties to their mates by proclaiming; "Keep to the Code."

With a "knowing" nod, winners keep faith in their sporting colleagues. If you'd done the course, you earned the grade. Sure, some of the hackers who dogged their work-outs will try to "bamboozle" you into letting them get away with their hollow threats, but those of us who've done the work know each other and recognize the posers. Thus we recognized the Obama Illusion. "Not this time." might have convinced the newly-minted voters for change. But, like any responsible business person, I wasn't buying it. "See me next year, if you're still in business." There's a four year cycle that tests, proves and delivers the performers. I won't make such important decisions and hand over my country to somebody who might just be 'having a good year.' I want to see that my leaders can weather discouragement, rise from their own failures and re-invent themselves following valuable lessons learned. In my educated-by-experience view, Hillary Clinton had certainly done that, bHO had not.

Oh, and the shot of Michelle glaring at Carla Bruni? ... I guess that's why the petulant Mrs O refused to dine with the French President that evening. She meant to snub the First Lady. That she maneuvered a Family dinner in Paris - her own President safely snatched from the aura of Sarkozy's wife - said it all.

It's about the code name for Tipper Gore

Smurfette? She was courage personified.

Hillary gains on Secretary of State

Her work in behalf of children and their mothers may be the greatest opportunity of all. Mrs. Clinton will bring a completely different attitude to the State Department. Congoliza Rice had a slavish devotion to the Bush agenda and failed to make a good showing for women in her opportunity. Let us hope that the Clintons (and who doubts they would be the tag team of the century?) bring back the world's delight in their presence. We'll see. God Bless America. ... and, God, please, bring out the best in all of us. Also; please have these turkeys show a little restraint with the Inaugural Festivities. Don't let Oprah outdo that show in Denver. And one last thing, God: Please help Sarah Palin get the last laugh on the folks who call her dumb and shallow. Thanks, and G'night, God. aa

Selling the Dog: Put Lipstick on the Pig and get out there!

The DNC thinks they've got the greatest salesmen on earth, but to sell the dog nominee they put on us, they need Hillary. Oh, yeah, and after "turning the page" on the only Democrats to hold the White House through two terms, he now campaigns on the good times under Clinton that make people trust Democrats.

On April 22, 2008, Pat Buchannon pointed out that the guy had numerous opportunities to close the deal and just couldn't put Clinton away.

Sarah Palin, on the other hand, posesses the one thing a Vice President should master: closing skills. She delivers her lines impeccably then shuts up. Checks get written, voters get in line. Pure Saleswomanship!

One can expect the triumverate to make for keeping the machinery of this country humming: Palin chairing the Senate with Hillary as Majority Leader and Nancy Pelosi in the House. McCain is a VERY smart man. Marries a Millionairess, Makes the pick of the young Century and shows the upstart gangsta the hand.

Sarah and Hillary together in the Senate

The new Chairwoman and the new Majority Leader. Now, Nancy, Nancy. It's ... like ... turning into a girls club.

Watch it, Girlies.

The Laughing Stock Card

That going around, coming around thing express...

This card is not in the deck, but rather, flops onto the table like octopus on Red Wing Playoff Ice. Unbeatable.

The Bill's a Problem Schtick Creates a Bigger Problem

Mika's view of Bill Clinton's lack of enthusiasm in his endorsement of the "One" blindly ignores a point egregious.

Each day, Chuck Todd, Jonathan and al, point out that the civil thing - vetting HRC as the obvious VP option - ain't happening for one very important reason: Bill. The assertion is consistently developed in the logic that Bill is a problem, rival for the alpha, baggage, loose cannon...etc.

Hillary's own qualifications are - only in the Obama Tankers' minds - eclipsed by the focus on the negatives about Bill.

Such a thinly-veiled envy.
Such a mark of the foolish attempt to replace the ranking, actually ACHIEVING Democrat with a wanna-be icon.
Effective political movements take the best of what succeeds, build on it and invent the next great thing. In my experience, that is the concept we know as PROGRESSIVE.

What's more worthy? The page we're on, where Clinton represents Peace & Prosperity, a Brilliant Mind Performing / Providing? Actively engaged, world wide in diplomatic leadership? Or Nostalgia for the glamor that was Camelot? Consistent with the wanna-be icon mentality.

Sure, 'the One' proclaims to the world that he will return us to our diplomatic focus. But how can they even suggest that diplomacy wasn't always and foremost, the Clinton Way? Rennaissance work at every turn to fine tune and integrate diplomatic science into each nuance of both Clintons' interaction with humanity remains the hallmark of their work. Get over yourselves, obambots. Yer flattering yerselves.

I Am Yours & You Are Mine. We will always be together.

Family, kindred spirits. A calming sense that comes over one whose parenting style was as protective and honorable as Chelsea's Mom, she proved one of the most notable points women have learned in the movement toward equal rights and responsibilities: she knew when to drop it.



"'til the last dog died," the H.O.U.N.D. unleashed in Unity, she transcended the sexist, personal abuse of the sycophantic press. The winners with whom she was surrounded bore up in good humor as well.



In the long skate from Athens to Atlanta, a similar lesson was communicated to me. Inevitability is a tough one for the guys. Off in a smashing gusto of macho superiority, they put women behind them to fight it out among the heavy weights. Out in front, a fog of secrecy now separating them from the also rans, they adapt to championship status. In road racing, divisions are sporting. Trophies are awarded to 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall, to 1st through 3rd male, 1st through third female, and then onto the 1st through third in the youth, senior and "Clydesdale" classes.



I learned that if I could see them, I could catch them. Stay strong, project yourself forward. Each competitor I spotted through the fog came to see me catch them. In that moment, as they understood that I (the girl) was gaining on them, the air-puppet ballooning them into bigger-than-the-bitch image of themselves the males shared to the Apollo 8* acceptance of that which they now shared with ME: and we skated along together in the fog, exchanging mutual respect for where we both were. Neither of us could deny the dedication and qualities it took to be where we both were. And in that quiet moment of recognition to a colleague in sportsmanship, these competitors, matched mile for mile at differing pace, murmered a greeting of relief to connect with another human being who knew from experience, exactly what they felt. In a gesture of respect for each other, we skated along side by side, checking each other's mental state, encouraging and upbeat. Then, as I sensed my pace was too much for those who had used themselves up in the first 20 miles, I simply re-set myself back to my steady pace and pressed forward to penetrate the mist ahead where I knew I would spot, catch and overtake the next nearer competitor. Each time I succeeded in putting that male skater behind me, confidant in my training, skill and genetic gifts, I'd make a final glance back. ... . I'd observe that air puppet - after power to the fan is cut - flag. "Plunk." It never failed to impress me. What kept these male skaters out in front was pride... in being a guy ... as though losing to a female was a humiliation they knew would come, but needed to experience. Having survived the"inevitable," they could now accept that they were - in no way - diminished as men. They were now gentlemen, forged human, manKIND. And now a great life awaits them. A life in which women are the valued, respected resource they must be in order to secure peace and prosperity for all.

* Apollo 8: the first manned spacecraft to orbit another celestial body. During this mission, pivotal was the moment when the gravitational pull of Earth gave way to that of the moon. (Thank you, Paul. This moment you shared with me on Eighth Street in front of Grady Stadium, nurtured and supported me like few words of encouragement could. I learned so many unique concepts from Atlanta's gay community, brothers in our oddesey ((thanks, also, Betty Siegel, Kennesaw State)) to realise our best. Those headphones would be an MP3 player today.)

Black's take

http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/cc_insider/2008/07/root-of-all-e-1.html

couldn't get into chat rooms...too much 'sup?

had to post this, if time permits, screen the full segment: the closing arguments and judgement are hilarious....(rick roll alert!)

Black: "bloggers - the shallow end of the typing pool.....masturbating into a mirror while you videotape yourself so you can watch it later while you masturbate."

Not an Attack on the Press

While listening to big time pundits, we are recovering discipline, ...gathering back all we know about the Press Corpse and what should be. Simply put, what we see isn't what we are expecting to see and our little inner proctor is only now learning the appropriate equalizer.

In a flourishing democracy, the Fourth Estate is charged with the duty of keeping the other branches honest. In order to do this, members of the press corpse receive what lobbyists pay for and what social climbers 'kill' for: ACCESS.

Press credentials provide a free ticket to the action. With a Press PASS, one's life is something like that which is depicted on the hotels.com ads: perks, strokes, free food, seating that provides a better view than some of the highest ranking ticket-holders. The Press Box at sporting events, for example, is directly under, above or near the booth where the announcers of the team sit. The press is fed the same TV and ticker info as the owners. Press Pass holders access the venue from a protected, sequestered entrance, special elevator, etc... all secured by guards. If the Press Pass holder is a familiar face in the venue, ... and, of course, the material making its way into broadcasts, articles, web sites, columns, etc.... is favorable; the access evolves in a fashion that favors the favoring main stream media vehicle.

Let the news consumer beware. Much of what you read, view and hear is calculated to preserve the preferred access enjoyed by the "reporter" and should be recognized as such.

Now-a-days, the

Communications Major

is the product-of-education that the main stream media hires; attractive models with cosmetic appeal and short attention spans. Lynn Swann, for example, played football at Southern Cal, a good school of course, but he played football and majored in

Communications

. Following a successful career with the Steelers (and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre) Swann moved into the PRESS CORPSE enjoying side-line venues with TOTAL ACCESS to the stars. Taking the next logical step; he decided that he could run the State of Pennsylvania BY MAKING A FEW TWEAKS TO HIS FOCUS. He confidently challenged Fast Eddie, Edward G Rendell, for Governor. He was unanimously endorsed by the Republican State Committee, subduing his only viable possible contender for the nomination, Political professional, Scranton, whose campaign manager, Jim Seif made an unfortunately flip remark about Swann's status in Pennsylvania Folklore. Success in communications, as in athletic endeavors and fundraising, is arrogantly assumed to be immediately transferable to the political arena. (read: name recognition). There was a time when a degree, and its concurrent discipline in Journalism from a good school, was primary criteria for consideration for such a position. The money true journalists earn doesn't touch the social life, fame and commercial value of today's performing pundit. Preserving the Press Pass is as much the focus of our news deliverers as getting re-elected with big money campaigns is for our politicians. Just pointing out the IS.

Beware of creeps in Progressive guise

Four years in local politics left me pretty confused about what distinguished a progressive from any other political entity. This "progressive" group had organized in my county and drew a good deal of response from folks who couldn't find the democratic party.

I was drawn into the idea of revitalizing the Democratic Party and was ok with their mantra of change. What I didn't realize I was in for is the part that leaves me catatonic.

They're body snatchers.

These people only call themselves democrats because they can't win elections as Progressives. Nobody can really make sense of their objectives. If they can't be in command, they spend all their energies undermining others who exhibit leadership or political abilities.

Sure, they come on all cooperative and full of steam about getting democrats elected. Point proves, however, the only democrats they are interested in electing are themselves!

At meetings, they are petulant and contentious, force issues without building consensus, take a "my way or the highway" approach to negotiations and consider it better to ask forgiveness than permission. Needless to say: unilateral decision making and controlled, scripted meetings are their forte. Like the Obama nation, they are free to take the discourse in whatever direction serves their purpose. Your take on anything is unworthy of consideration. Emails and blogs are weapons by which they foment and disrupt, cyberbully and discredit their political rivals. (You know them as the folks from whom they demand unity.)

They don't want to work on any projects, don't want to serve on committees. They just want to show up at monthly meetings and vote down your ideas, tell you how to spend the money you raise and bash your traditional candidates.

A year later, those ideas you proposed but were rejected are now showing up on THEIR blogs and emails as THEIR ideas!

I used to call these types Republicans. But now I recognize that they are parasites who will make you ill.

Called In to Bill

His aide read a statement, mentioned that the Office - In Harlem - had received several calls from our collective today and a prepared response was in order. Thanks. Always organized. It's been a haul, eh?

That's some tough territory, isn't it?

Columbia's up there, isn't it?