Second term around, we may be physically farther away, but we are there in spirit and enjoying the festivities. Best wishes to the President for the next four years!
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barack Obama. Show all posts
Monday, January 21, 2013
four years ago ...
... we were on the spot, celebrating President Obama's inauguration with a few thousand friends and family.
Second term around, we may be physically farther away, but we are there in spirit and enjoying the festivities. Best wishes to the President for the next four years!
Second term around, we may be physically farther away, but we are there in spirit and enjoying the festivities. Best wishes to the President for the next four years!
Monday, December 17, 2012
monday morning thoughts
I finally had to break down and tell the kid something about what happened in Connecticut on Friday, as I knew she would hear about it both officially and unofficially at school this morning. I told her that something very bad happened at a school in Connecticut on Friday, and that her teachers might talk about it with the students today. That a bad man with a gun hurt some people, but that her school was safe, and that her teachers and I would keep her safe. That she might have a fire drill today. That some things, like the gate that stays open for parent pick-up and drop off may have to stay locked all the time now. That things would change. But that she shouldn't be afraid. We'd keep her safe.
I also mentioned the gate we have here at our apartment building and the doorman, and how no one can just come up to our house without being checked through first. That we have to get a phone call and decide whether to let them up or not. She said that she had seen one of the newspaper headlines at the supermarket, about how a "mother trained her son to shoot" and wondered what that was about. I told her the son was the bad man and he did shoot some people. She asked if he was in jail and I told her he had shot himself. She theorized that he probably didn't want to go to jail for the rest of his life, and I said we still aren't sure yet why he did what he did, but that he couldn't hurt anyone else.
I couldn't help feel a little choked up as I dropped her off this morning. The school principal was out with the two teachers that are regularly at student drop-off. Our doorman said to me "Enough already" this morning about the media's endless coverage of what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday, but I told him he was wrong. For once I agree with the endless coverage. We can't afford to forget what happened. We need to be reminded that the United States has had too many similar incidents in the past decade. When President Obama read off the names of each child at the memorial in Connecticut yesterday ... we musn't forget these people.
I pray that the President can force the Senate and Republicans and all the special interest groups to put politics aside and help make our country safer for children and adults. The 2nd Amendment is not being threatened — we are. There will be no easy fix, as there are many facets to be discussed and examined. But there are some things we can do without taking away citizens' rights to own guns that would at least help a little in preventing a massacre like this from taking place again.
Limit where guns and ammunition can be purchased. No more guns and bullets at Walmart. All weapons and ammunition purchases should be easily traceable. And let's not try to fog the issue by saying "Criminals can get ..." These sorts of crimes are being perpetrated by "regular" folks, not criminals.
Ban assault weapons and the like.
Add a waiting period and a mental health check for weapon purchases. Cops have to have a psychological check-up, why shouldn't the rest of us?
No weapons or ammo may be purchased without the customer already owning or also purchasing a gun safe. When buying additional weapons, folks should have a proof of purchase of the gun safe, or no sale.
Part of the background check when purchasing a weapon should include whether there are other family members in the house who might have access. Names, ages, etc.
Improve the mental health care system. A recent heartbreaking post by a mother about her 13 year-old son details how his self-destructive and potentially dangerous behavior is getting beyond her ability to handle. But our current system makes it difficult to impossible to institutionalize such a person, or even get him temporary help that he so desperately needs. Meanwhile his mother and his siblings live in fear of the day he might go off. And so should we.
These are just a few ideas. I'm sure there are thousands of other ways we can keep ourselves safer. We must. We can't afford to let another one of these incidents happen.
I also mentioned the gate we have here at our apartment building and the doorman, and how no one can just come up to our house without being checked through first. That we have to get a phone call and decide whether to let them up or not. She said that she had seen one of the newspaper headlines at the supermarket, about how a "mother trained her son to shoot" and wondered what that was about. I told her the son was the bad man and he did shoot some people. She asked if he was in jail and I told her he had shot himself. She theorized that he probably didn't want to go to jail for the rest of his life, and I said we still aren't sure yet why he did what he did, but that he couldn't hurt anyone else.
I couldn't help feel a little choked up as I dropped her off this morning. The school principal was out with the two teachers that are regularly at student drop-off. Our doorman said to me "Enough already" this morning about the media's endless coverage of what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday, but I told him he was wrong. For once I agree with the endless coverage. We can't afford to forget what happened. We need to be reminded that the United States has had too many similar incidents in the past decade. When President Obama read off the names of each child at the memorial in Connecticut yesterday ... we musn't forget these people.
I pray that the President can force the Senate and Republicans and all the special interest groups to put politics aside and help make our country safer for children and adults. The 2nd Amendment is not being threatened — we are. There will be no easy fix, as there are many facets to be discussed and examined. But there are some things we can do without taking away citizens' rights to own guns that would at least help a little in preventing a massacre like this from taking place again.
Ban assault weapons and the like.
Add a waiting period and a mental health check for weapon purchases. Cops have to have a psychological check-up, why shouldn't the rest of us?
No weapons or ammo may be purchased without the customer already owning or also purchasing a gun safe. When buying additional weapons, folks should have a proof of purchase of the gun safe, or no sale.
Part of the background check when purchasing a weapon should include whether there are other family members in the house who might have access. Names, ages, etc.
Improve the mental health care system. A recent heartbreaking post by a mother about her 13 year-old son details how his self-destructive and potentially dangerous behavior is getting beyond her ability to handle. But our current system makes it difficult to impossible to institutionalize such a person, or even get him temporary help that he so desperately needs. Meanwhile his mother and his siblings live in fear of the day he might go off. And so should we.
These are just a few ideas. I'm sure there are thousands of other ways we can keep ourselves safer. We must. We can't afford to let another one of these incidents happen.
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
i early voted — finally!
I have been driving by one of our local designated early voting locations since Saturday, but have always been greeted by long lines. Today I was finally able to get there a little earlier, and the line was much shorter. I stood (and shivered) on line for half an hour on one of the coolest mornings we've had here in southern Florida in a long time. The cooler temps are welcome, but Sandy's lingering winds, not so much.
The general feeling of both folks on line and people inside working and helping was very positive. There were no political discussions or arguments, just everyone determined to get their vote counted. And in Florida, that's especially important. No hanging or other chads in evidence, just paper ballots.
The only downside that I can see to early voting is that it doesn't free me from having to listen to the endless political ads on radio and television. I did experience some momentary disappointment when I realized I wouldn't be able to vote against a local politician that I find particularly annoying (cough Allen West cough cough). He isn't even in my district. So why is my town targeted with his barrage of billboards and mean-spirited television and radio commercials? Oh well, a week from today we'll all find out how it all comes out. Don't forget to vote!
The general feeling of both folks on line and people inside working and helping was very positive. There were no political discussions or arguments, just everyone determined to get their vote counted. And in Florida, that's especially important. No hanging or other chads in evidence, just paper ballots.
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| Don't forget to get your sticker on the way out |
The only downside that I can see to early voting is that it doesn't free me from having to listen to the endless political ads on radio and television. I did experience some momentary disappointment when I realized I wouldn't be able to vote against a local politician that I find particularly annoying (cough Allen West cough cough). He isn't even in my district. So why is my town targeted with his barrage of billboards and mean-spirited television and radio commercials? Oh well, a week from today we'll all find out how it all comes out. Don't forget to vote!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
one of the advantages to being in a battleground state ...
... is that the Prez has been visiting a lot more often recently. The kid will be accompanying me to this event. A real-life civics lesson.
What is especially fun about this one is that there is seating for all. We both enjoyed attending last month's rally at the nearby convention center, but that event was standing-room-only for thousands of people. This venue, a tennis center, may fit the same amount of people, but it should be easier to see and hear the President with stadium seating. Last time the kid had trouble seeing over people's heads.
We'll be seeing President Obama exactly two weeks before Election Day (and the day after the last debate at nearby Boca Raton).
What is especially fun about this one is that there is seating for all. We both enjoyed attending last month's rally at the nearby convention center, but that event was standing-room-only for thousands of people. This venue, a tennis center, may fit the same amount of people, but it should be easier to see and hear the President with stadium seating. Last time the kid had trouble seeing over people's heads.
We'll be seeing President Obama exactly two weeks before Election Day (and the day after the last debate at nearby Boca Raton).
Thursday, October 04, 2012
don't mess with big bird
The pundits are still endlessly analyzing last night's yawner of a debate, which didn't show either contender at his best. President Obama was on point but too reserved. Romney was full of sound bytes but no real proposals and was just plain rude as he walked all over the format and the moderator. But the real loser of the evening was moderator Jim Lehrer, whose questions were inane ("What do you think about what he just said?") and who was incapable of containing the flow.
It was interesting to note that the only specific thing that Romney said he would do if he was elected is cut PBS funding and Big Bird. How can anyone still be on the fence after a remark like that? No one messes with Big Bird.
It was interesting to note that the only specific thing that Romney said he would do if he was elected is cut PBS funding and Big Bird. How can anyone still be on the fence after a remark like that? No one messes with Big Bird.
Sunday, September 09, 2012
baby's first rally
President Barack Obama has been on the "first bus," stumping through Florida the past few days, and we were lucky enough to score a ticket to go see him today. His speech was everything the crowd had waited (a long time, in the blistering heat) for. It was positive, humorous when talking about his opponent, and inspirational enough to fire up the crowd.
For all the waiting we did with about 6,000 of our closest friends, and the scores of tired feet there must have been (it was standing room only), everyone seemed in good spirits from start to finish. The kid only got cranky when she feared she wouldn't be able to see over the heads of the crowd to see him. I was afraid of the same thing, but mostly it was the sea of iPhones and iPads that were blocking my view. But we found a good spot near one of the crowd dividers — she could climb up a bit to get a good view, and I could spy him through a gap in the crowd, too.
She doesn't remember that this is actually the third time she has seen him speak in public. When we lived in Washington we attended the Inauguration, and we also went to the We Are One Concert for the President, both held on the National Mall. She was only four at the time.
As we stood on the long, hot line (where happily, the Obama team handed out free bottles of water and made sure everyone was properly hydrated) I entertained myself by trying to capture all of the interesting T-shirts. It was a fun, if tiring day, and one I am very glad to have shared with my daughter. How lucky she is to have had the President come and speak in her back yard.
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| We got this T-shirt in DC, pre-Inauguration |
She doesn't remember that this is actually the third time she has seen him speak in public. When we lived in Washington we attended the Inauguration, and we also went to the We Are One Concert for the President, both held on the National Mall. She was only four at the time.
As we stood on the long, hot line (where happily, the Obama team handed out free bottles of water and made sure everyone was properly hydrated) I entertained myself by trying to capture all of the interesting T-shirts. It was a fun, if tiring day, and one I am very glad to have shared with my daughter. How lucky she is to have had the President come and speak in her back yard.
Monday, May 02, 2011
may day
Last night we were treated to one of the best fireworks displays I have ever seen — as a treat after the end of a local concert series. After it was over we went back inside and I tucked the kid into bed and watched a favorite show on TV to unwind. I had the laptop nearby and noticed just as my program was ending an update from the NY Times on Facebook: Osama bin Laden is dead. It seemed like it took a long time for the President to come out and make his address to the world, but it was well worth the wait.
I am relieved, as are many, that this evil figurehead is gone. But I know, like many, that his death doesn't mean the end of terrorism.
I am wondering if there is any other time in U.S. history where an announcement such as Obama's last night — we got him — has been made about a military leader. I can't think of any in recent memory. Saddam Hussein was executed. There are unsubstantiated rumors of the death of Gadaffi. The only somewhat similar thing I can think of might have been the news reports detailing Jack Ruby's killing of Lee Harvey Oswald. John Wilkes Booth's capture and death was even more similar. I'm sure some sensibilities are shocked at how matter of fact the President was, stating that the goal, the plan, was to kill bin Laden. But that is war. That was the mission. I am not in favor of war at all, but I won't kid myself that it wasn't a kill or be killed situation.
The political ramifications are yet to be seen, but if anything, it illustrates how methodically the Obama administration is in its approach to accomplishing its goals, and that it doesn't shy away from force when it's called for. Dubya, I have to admit, was a class act as he congratulated Obama on his administration's success. As I went to bed, much later that evening, like I'm sure the rest of the world who stayed up to watch the coverage, I thought about the fireworks earlier and the order of the evening.
In 2001 I moved to DC from New York. On the morning of September 11 I was walking out of a doctor's appointment downtown when I noticed a lot of people standing around looking confused, holding their phones. As I walked down the street towards the bus stop to head into work I heard snippets of conversation, "Pentagon bombing," "Plane hijacked." What the hell was going on? Cell phones didn't work, the Metro wasn't running. I walked into a hotel lobby (there are hotels on almost every corner in DC) and managed to get through to my boss. As we talked on the phone she got an email telling her to send all staff home, there had been an attempt on the Pentagon. I walked home with hundreds of others, also stranded with no public transportation, reaching home just in time to watch the Twin Towers fall on CNN. I spent the rest of the day frantically trying to reach loved ones still in New York, as they also tried to reach me. We were all glued to the tube for days after that, trying to take in the horror. Part of me still can't believe it happened. I just pray that nothing of this horrible magnitude will ever happen again.
I am wondering if there is any other time in U.S. history where an announcement such as Obama's last night — we got him — has been made about a military leader. I can't think of any in recent memory. Saddam Hussein was executed. There are unsubstantiated rumors of the death of Gadaffi. The only somewhat similar thing I can think of might have been the news reports detailing Jack Ruby's killing of Lee Harvey Oswald. John Wilkes Booth's capture and death was even more similar. I'm sure some sensibilities are shocked at how matter of fact the President was, stating that the goal, the plan, was to kill bin Laden. But that is war. That was the mission. I am not in favor of war at all, but I won't kid myself that it wasn't a kill or be killed situation.
The political ramifications are yet to be seen, but if anything, it illustrates how methodically the Obama administration is in its approach to accomplishing its goals, and that it doesn't shy away from force when it's called for. Dubya, I have to admit, was a class act as he congratulated Obama on his administration's success. As I went to bed, much later that evening, like I'm sure the rest of the world who stayed up to watch the coverage, I thought about the fireworks earlier and the order of the evening.
In 2001 I moved to DC from New York. On the morning of September 11 I was walking out of a doctor's appointment downtown when I noticed a lot of people standing around looking confused, holding their phones. As I walked down the street towards the bus stop to head into work I heard snippets of conversation, "Pentagon bombing," "Plane hijacked." What the hell was going on? Cell phones didn't work, the Metro wasn't running. I walked into a hotel lobby (there are hotels on almost every corner in DC) and managed to get through to my boss. As we talked on the phone she got an email telling her to send all staff home, there had been an attempt on the Pentagon. I walked home with hundreds of others, also stranded with no public transportation, reaching home just in time to watch the Twin Towers fall on CNN. I spent the rest of the day frantically trying to reach loved ones still in New York, as they also tried to reach me. We were all glued to the tube for days after that, trying to take in the horror. Part of me still can't believe it happened. I just pray that nothing of this horrible magnitude will ever happen again.
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