Puts a smile on the face of this jaded-to-love 40 y/o.

Today the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) met with senators and representatives to make our wishes known. Governor Daniels wants $300 million cut from the education budget and stopped paying school corps. as of Jan. 1st. Every school is now in a downward spiral of cuts to Media Specialists, Special Area teachers, nurses, RIFing classroom teachers, transportation, pay-to-play sports and calling for concessions in teacher salaries and benefits just to name a few.

ISTA's stance is that there are other ways to take care of the budget issue.

"The Indiana State Teachers Association has released its funding plan for public schools. It calls on the state to use public education reserve funds, reduce non-essential K-12 education spending and re-design public education funding to maximize dollars to the classroom. Part of the plan is a proposal to postpone ISTEP for the spring of 2009. The ISTA says Governor Mitch Daniels' initial budget proposal flatlines public education funding for the next two years. The association says that would result in hundreds of school employee layoffs."

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsi...

ISTA members showed up in support of a bill to alleviate the cuts and to find other ways to get the budget in order. It passed today in the Democratically controlled House. It will face an uphill battle in the Senate (R controlled, of course).

I was glad I was able to go and meet with my representatives. I had a relatively easy job because they are all Dems. I will definitely feel more at ease the next time I go back, and I WILL be going back. I encourage any educator to do the same. Take friends with you. We can't hide in our classrooms for much longer!

There are plenty of people on DU who are able to remember that we are still fighting two wars. If you look at the MSM you would not have a clue that there are combat soldiers who are fighting and dying every day, still. This post is about how these two wars are effecting me and my family.

First some background about what has been going on...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discu...

I have been talking with my soon-to-be-ex about lots of things, and I finally was able to pull an interesting bit of information out: his unit is on the list to go to Afghanistan in August 2010. This knowledge, that he has been carrying with him for over a month and a half, has sent him closer to the deep end. I'm afraid he will fall off and I don't know if there is anything I can do about it. I watch helplessly as he tortures himself with shame, fear, and dread.

I am going through a lot, sure, but I find myself thinking, "How many others are in the same boat as me?" I am fortunate that I have a job that has my own health insurance. I will be walking that fine line that I have to keep my job to keep my health insurance, but at least I have it!

These wars are tearing families apart and there does not appear to be any sign that it will stop.

I've been on DU for a long time and if you've been around you know I've been through a lot. I've actually been through more than I've posted about. A lot of what I didn't post about had to do with my husband and how he would treat me.

He has shown signs of PTSD and has recurring headaches leftover from his mild traumatic brain injury sustained while in Iraq. He gets angry, paranoid, unstable, etc. He tried to divorce me while overseas, but then begged me to take him back. I did so thinking that he deserved another chance considering what he went through and we had a young daughter who needed he Daddy. Needless to say that all of the work I put into keeping our family together these last three years was for naught. He is leaving. He has not been faithful and most likely is moving on to this person, even though he still can't admit it.

Right now I am devastated for myself, sure, but my heart is absolutely breaking into pieces for my daughter. He hasn't been the most attentive parent even before all this started.

I am trying to hold it together, but it is hard. What I feel the most is the sheer stupidity I exhibited when I decided to give him another chance. I'm totally humiliated.

You all are wonderful people and I consider you my friends. Because of my soon-to-be-ex's mental state most of my friends have been scared away, so if you would indulge me, I would like to be able to lean on you. You all give the best advice and stick up for each other when it matters most. Thanks so much.

I was in Austin, TX, visiting my sister this past week. We had lots of good food at many places, but Mr. AAL and I both agree this was the best place:

The Salt Lick

http://www.saltlickbbq.com /

It's found outside Austin in a blink-your-eye town called Driftwood.

The open pit was packed full of brisket, sausage and ribs. The smell was heavenly and oh my, was it good!

We all really enjoyed the entire experience!

"The Audacity of Hope" was on my Christmas list this past year. My sister was going to get it for me, but she wasn't able to fly with a suitcase overloaded with presents.

I was so surprised! I guess Christmas came a little late, but it was worth the wait!

As I wrote to Skinner a short while ago, this really is the best website around. I don't tell the Admins often enough.

For those of you who don't know, I came to DU as a lonely mother to a two y/o while my husband was in Army National Guard basic training. Five years (this coming weekend, how's that for a present, eh?) and one deployment to Iraq later, and I can safely say I am not the same person I was. DU can take a lot of credit for that - in a GOOD way! I became a volunteer for Obama and even went to a rally in Indianapolis. I would have never had the courage to do those things without the support of DU. Major hugs to you all!

Thanks again!

WHEW! What a day! Everyone's fed, child is in bed and now I can sit down and post.

I arrived at the Indiana State Fairgrounds at around 9:00 a.m., waited in line for about an hour, then made my way to the grandstand. It was an overcast, drizzly sky, but that was not going to deter me.

Jill Long Thompson, Democratic candidate for Governor (trying to unseat Mitch) began with opening remarks. She spoke about the current situation with major job losses in Indiana and O'Daniels penchant for privatizing *everything* he can get his hands on. Good opening.

Andre Carson was next - he was also very good and got the crowd excited.

Evan Bayh had the honor of introducing Senator Obama. He is confident that that Indiana can go blue. He also made a point to state that three generations of Bayhs were supporting Obama and were present: his two boys, himself, and his father, Birch Bayh!

On to Senator Obama - I hope I describe the setting accurately. At the fairgrounds the stage is set on a track facing a grandstand, so the back of the stage was exposed. This allowed us to see him arrive with the police escorts! The crowd went wild! I bawled my eyes out!

He was absolutely electrifying! After a brief interuption from a disruptor (which Obama handled effortlessly) he got right to the point of his visit. You could not tell he had just been sparring the night before with his opponent. I'm not going to repeat every point he made, because you know them all by now, but one of the things I remember was that he said we would not be *hoodwinked* The crowd laughed at that one. In fact, there were many humorous moments when he was obviously laughing with us. You could tell he was glad to be there. He spoke to us like we were intelligent people. I felt like we were invited into his inner sanctum. I also heard something new in his voice. It had a different edge, an urgency that increased throughout the speech.

This is the most politically active I have ever been in my life. Attending a politcal rally was a major step for me. I will give credit to DU for helping me along to becoming a better Democrat.

It was a great day!

P.S. That 10,000 figure came from IndyStar.com. The Indianapolis Star is a right wing rag, so I'm going to say it was about 15,000 possibly 18,000. IN INDIANA.

In the event that Gustav does what they say he will.

He's a National Guard member and got the call this morning. He doesn't know when he leaves yet and he only knows he will be going to the Gulf Coast area. He could be gone for 30 days. We will be sad to see him leave, but we are happy he is helping out the citizens of our country who need him.

We'll be praying for you!

So sweet!


Post yours!

Before we get to today's edition, I will start by saying that I don't post or even reply in GD very often and I have not chosen my candidate (I live in Indiana, I still have time).

Mr. WMU, WMUette and I were watching the beginning of "Countdown With Keith Olbermann". She loves to say "Worst person --- in the woooorld!" just like Keith, it is so cute! Anyway, they were showing a segment of Barak Obama speaking at an event.

She said, "This is boring."

I said, "Wait a minute, honey. Listen to him speak for a minute. This person could be our next President. Wouldn't it be great to have a different President than George Bush?"

She watched for a little bit, then said: "He's so NICE! He's not a meanie like President Bush."

"Why do you think President Bush is a meanie, honey?"

"Because he sent my Dad to Iraq and I didn't like it. I missed him a lot when he was gone and I was so sad." (Mr. WMU has been home since Summer 2006)


I post this not because I am choosing a side, I post because I think it is interesting how a young child sees things. Would she have said the same thing if Hillary Clinton was speaking instead of Obama? I don't know, but I would like to think so. I will point Mrs. Clinton out to her when I get the chance. Whatever the outcome of this election, our children are paying attention to this campaign and it will shape their political lives. Tune in next time, who knows what she will say!

Every Special Comment should automatically be "Must-See TV". Trumpets should sound. Society should be put on hold for ten minutes.

I believe our coutry has not spiraled into total despotism because of people like K. O.

Every point is like a carefully sharpened knife plunged into the heart of these neocon criminals.

He and people like him are the true patriots in this country.

Not that a Gore-filled page isn't wonderful - just thought you might like a humorous break.

I live in a very RED part of Indiana. My Iraq War Veteran husband (and Pagan) needed some items to finish painting our bedroom. He gets a 10% Military Discount at the local Lowe's, so he always shops there.

At the checkout he hands over his Military ID card to the cashier to get his discount. The lady behind him says, "Do I get a church discount?"

Without missing a beat, the cashier said "No you don't. This man earned it."

Please grant me a moment, DUers, to relay some good news for our family.

As many of you know, my husband returned from Iraq in June 2006 after 18 months of deployment. He has been named partially disabled because of a loss of hearing and recurring headaches. He is being treated by the VA.

We just got back from signing the papers to close on our new home! The three of us have lived in my ten-year-old single-wide mobile home for the past five years. We now have our very own two-story house!

This would not have been possible without a VA loan. Due to his status as a veteran, he was able to secure the loan.

We feel incredibly lucky to have our family whole and happy.

We move in tomorrow!

I am surprised that I haven't seen that number today while reading DU.

100 days with a Democratic majority.

Look at that sentence again. Go ahead. Savor it.

After all of the events of the past month or so, I would say that we are headed in the right direction.

Sure, we have had our squabbles and squibbles, but all in all this has been a great 100 days.

Three cheers for our Congresspersons! And here's to many more wonderful days to come!

I received the following from a colleague. I hope you appreciate it as much as I did. I hope it has been forwarded to Mr. O'Liely, too!

"Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival; although, I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching that explains who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks are. If you have forgot that one, look at John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the! time.>
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.>

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those you love and, remember, I LOVE YOU."