Advertise on more than 70 progressive blogs! |
Caoimhe's Journal
Firstly, here is her obituary. Don't get all depressed until you learn a bit about her. She wasn't afraid to live, or to die. Jefferson County's oldest citizen, Esther Harmon, 106, died Saturday, May 9, at East Cascade Retirement -- mentally sharp to the end.
Harmon, who was featured in the 2008 edition of Sageland magazine, moved to Culver 77 years ago, with her husband and young family. "We were newcomers until 1946, when water came in," she said in an interview last year, recalling the formation of the North Unit Irrigation District. "With the stroke of a pen, we became oldtimers."
Harmon's daughter Theo Schonneker, of Culver, said that despite having to be hospitalized, "She was extremely alert to the end, and knew the names of all the nurses, and their families."
After a week in Mountain View Hospital, she moved into Cascade East Retirement last week. "The world has lost its biggest fan because she saw the best in everybody and made you see the best in everybody," said Schonneker. "She stood up for the underdog -- that's how she lived."
Harmon is survived by two of her four children, her daughter Theo Schonneker, and son, Charles Harmon, of Tumalo; twin sisters, Bernice and Beatrice, 93, of Palm Springs, Calif.; and numerous grandchildren and stepgrandchildren, including Chuck Schonneker, of Madras, as well as great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her husband Chester and two sons Robert and Chester Jr. preceded her in death. -Madras Pioneer May 16, 2009 http://www.madraspioneer.com/MAPNews1.shtm... What this obituary doesn't tell you is that Thelma was a lifelong liberal and proud Democrat. She would get angry at anyone who told her they didn't think their vote mattered. Read on from the 2008 article mentioned above: -snip- The centenarian is also blessed with a keen mind and extraordinary memory. -snip-"She's sharp as a tack," said her daughter Theo Schonneker, 82, also of Culver, admitting that she often relies on her mother's memory for names and dates. "She's up on what happened yesterday in the news." "I watch the news because I don't like to be left behind," explained Harmon, a former nurse and schoolteacher with an inquisitive nature and a love of learning. -snip-When the 19th Amendment, giving women the vote, was ratified in 1920, Harmon was just 18 years old -- too young to cast her first ballot. At the first opportunity, the 1924 presidential election, she voted for John Davis, the Democratic candidate, over the winner, Calvin Coolidge. Since then, she said, "I've never missed a vote." This year's presidential election will be the 22nd for the lifelong Democrat. -snip-Although she follows the news, she doesn't necessarily believe it. "Most of it is hype nowadays -- to get the most mileage out of the whole thing," she said, reminiscing about a time when well-respected newscasters, such as Walter Cronkite and Hugh Downs, could be counted on for the truth. For television entertainment, she relies on Oregon Public Broadcasting. "I want something that's informative," she said. "I don't like junk." -snip- -Madras Pioneer May 7, 2008 READ IT ALL, IT'S FASCINATING STUFF http://www.madraspioneer.com/ArcStoryPage.... Esther's family has told me how excited she was to support Barack Obama in last year's Presidential Primary and General Election. She told everyone who would listen what a fine and honest man he was and she was so proud to cast her vote for him. She was invited to meet Obama and attend the huge Obama Rally in Portland, Oregon last year. Obama was told he had a 105 year old supporter and he wanted to meet her. Unfortunately she had a bout with illness and couldn't go. The reason I know about Esther Harmon is twofold. She is famous here for her longevity, her amazingly sharp memory, quick wit and her good deeds throughout her life. The reason I learned about her Obama support was this: in Spring 2008 I was outside working on my crappy sprinkler system in the heat when a sweaty, bald youngish man approached me with some literature. He was pounding the pavement in this rural backwoods small town part of Oregon, because he had talked to Esther Harmon and she had made it clear to him that this was probably going to be the MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION of his lifetime. He told her he'd thought about taking a Saturday or two to go door to door for Obama. She was so delighted! His enthusiasm and his appreciation for her and his confidence in Obama really hit me. At the time I was liking Barack more and more, but I still held a glimmer of allegiance to Hillary. When this guy found my house and told me all about Barack Obama and the importance of being a part of moving the nation forward, I realized how one little old lady understood the power of voting, the importance of speaking your mind and that her inspiration to others would outlive her many times over. I asked about the townfolks reaction to his effort and he admitted that a few people had told him they weren't interested in politics, but he said more folks than not wanted bumper stickers, round stickers and pamphlets explaining some of Obama's positions. He said most people felt they couldn't openly support Obama because of the basic BLUENESS of the eastern rural side of the State. But they still planned on voting for him. He had ran out of all the handouts, but managed to fish a crumpled white bumper sticker out of his car and proudly write his name and number on the back. I kept in touch a few times, I called him once after one of the debates and we were both giddy with excitement. He had some family problems arise and didn't have much of a chance to campaign for Obama outside those first few weekends, but that's okay. I for one, am glad he came to my house, that an elderly woman inspired him to volunteer his time and shoe tread and that we now have a decent, honest man as our President because of the efforts of people like her and him and me and you. He ain't perfect, but no President ever has been. Thank you Esther. You helped add a little drop to a tidal wave and I want everyone to know about you. 
I've been reading up on the Chrysler "Loan Guarantees" of the 1970s that saved the company and the fact that Iacocca said he would work for $1 a year until the company turned a profit. We all know the President gets paid basically BEANS for the amount of responsibility he/she has, but what if he were to forego pay as a gesture to all Americans AND the Congress. Maybe even tie it in with the idea of volunteerism and public service. Just a thought. Of course he has his own wealth with his book proceeds, so I don't think they'd be starving, and he, the kids and Michelle of course need their health care insurance, we don't want anything to happen to them! I realize he wasn't perfect, but a lot of the things Iacocca did made sense, and of course I love this quote from his 2007 book, Where Have All The Leaders Gone?, co-written by Catherine Whitney: Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, "Stay the course." Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned Titanic. I'll give you a sound bite: Throw the bums out!
dear lord, how did this happen. Ok, I've seen them sneaking in here and there, but..
I'm 37, I've got no children, I've been married 10 years. My mother died suddenly at age 59 in September 2007. Suddenly I notice I have more gray hair on my temples than my usual reddish brown. I feel like I've been waiting a lifetime (8 damned years) to achieve what I had a decade ago.... A president I respected. I am so tired of waiting for positive news, positive views and HOPE.
GO OBAMA!
Just got a call from someone from the Obama campaign. The name of our state is Oregon. Not Oregone. It's pronounced Ore-eh-gun. It's hard to believe someone is calling from Oregon if they can't say the name right. Sorry if this is snarky, but to many Oregonians, it's a point of contention.
I was out fixing my sprinklers today when a guy came by for Obama. I had a great talk with him and he said that he's gotten great responses. I was very impressed, as this is a backwoods, rural community full of redneck republicans. I took a bumper sticker and his email address and think I might help him out in the Fall. I appreciate people willing to pound the pavement for someone they believe in, especially in a community where you could potentially have the door answered by someone with a shotgun. The thing he said unifying almost everyone he's talked to is this: They do NOT want John McCain. They do not want more Clinton either. They see Obama as a new face and someone to put some faith in that will speak the truth, whether it's pretty or not.
I got my ballot in last week and I definitely voted for Barack Obama!
Source: SF ChronicleKGO AM810 San Francisco wants to put Bernie back on the air, but the hold up is at Citadel in New York. Please call Citadel RIGHT NOW or send a fax and tell them to put Bernie Ward back on the air. Be polite and say that you support the decision of KGO management to return Bernie to the airwaves. The issue at this time is that Mickey Luckoff, the manager at KGO810, is butting heads with the mucky mucks at Citadel Broadcasting in New York. Stand by local markets, say no to upper management decisions. Apparently their two big complaints about reinstating Bernie are 1) the feds are rarely wrong 2) the feds rarely lose. Stand up for justice for a fellow progressive who has stood up for so many others! The contact information for Citadel Broadcasting is: Citadel Broadcasting Company 142 West 57th Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10019 Phone (212) 887-1670 Fax (212) 887-1668 Read more: http://home.comcast.net/~supportbernieward... /
Tomorrow morning, the SF Chronicle will have a story about Bernie Ward. They will mention that he's been terminated by KGO AM810. They might also mention that Bernie has fans that are supporting him and his local management's decision to keep him. Please folks, support one of our own! If you don't know who Bernie Ward is, think Air America before Air America. Think of the a progressive voice on AM radio that for over a generation (Bernie Ward's show) has broadcast over the entire West Coast, urban and rural, changing many of our lives. After dark (Bernie's show was always 10pm to 1am) the skip signal from this already powerful transmitter is able to reach three or four countries and some island nations. Now that we have the internet, this isn't so much an issue, but let me speak from personal experience. It was the only thing I could get in on my little am radio as a kid that wasn't hate-filled. I admit, I grew up in a Republican household. We were taught to hate blacks, gays, feminists, vegans, anyone different. I started tuning into Bernie and I realized that there was life outside of right wing punditry. I know it sounds cliche but screw it, I'm being honest. If any of you can take the time to call Citadel Broadcasting at the number above, and tell them that you want Bernie Ward of KGO back... I would be so honored. In this country justice means justice, and this is a man who is innocent until proven guilty. A network that has reinstated Don Imus should not be so concerned with OMG negative publicity. Please let me know if you did. C'mon my DU friends, this is a positive thing to do! We need Bernie's voice for these upcoming primaries!
I've heard this before and it makes sense but I need some info on it.
Is the pay less? Do they have to pay less in survivor bennies?
How right he was in the whole thing. I just was clearing out old bookmarks and found the link to the transcript of his speech to the National Press Club on April 15th, 2003 and thought others would like to re-read that great speech he gave. http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0416-0...  which goes along quite well with this MLK quote I saw this morning. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." -MLK Jr edit: added picture
sadly the one who is hot is gay (speaking from a hetero womans perspective). I'm speaking of Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer. What the hell is Wolf Blitzer's dysfunction??? other than being named Wolf? WTF the man has zero emotion, zero personality. I don't love Anderson like I loved Aaron Brown, but he's 100 times better than Wolf!!!
from someone named "stella tricia collins" < stella_tricia_7@yahoo.com > BELOVED, GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. I AM MRS STELLA TRICIA COLLINS FROM SWITZERLAND, A WIDOW TO LATE TOM COLLINS I AM 55 YEARS OLD, I AM NOW A NEW CHRISTAIN CONVERT, SUFFERING FROM LONG TIME CANCER OF THE BREAST, FROM ALL INDICATION MY CONDITIONS IS REALLY DETERIORATING AND IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT I WON’T LIVE MORE THAN 2 MONTHS, ACCORDING TO MY DOCTORS, THIS IS BECAUSE THE CANER STAGE HAS GOTTEN TO A VERY BAD STAGE.MY LATE HUSBAND DIED LAST FIVE YEARS,AND DURING THE PERIOD OF OUR MARRIAGE WE COULD’NT PRODUCE ANY CHILD.MY LATE HUSBAND WAS VERY WEALTHY AND AFTER HIS DEATH, I INHERITED ALL HIS BUSINESS AND WEALTH. THE DOCTORS HAS ADVISED ME THAT I MAY NOT LIVE FOR MORE THAN 2 MONTHS, SO I NOW DECIDED TO DEVIDE THE PART OF THIS WEALTH, TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCH IN AFRICA, AMERICA ASIA,AND EUROPE. I SELECTED YOU AFTER VISITING THE WEBSITE AND I PRAYED OVER IT. I AM WILLING TO DONATE THE SUM OF $5,000.000.00U.USD( FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLA RS) TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED. PLEASE I WANT YOU TO NOTE THAT FUND IS LYING IN A SECURITY COMPANY IN (ABIDJAN IVORY COAST). I HEAR FROM YOU, I WILL FORWARD TO YOU ALL THE INFORMATIONS YOU WILL USE TO GET THIS FUND RELEASED FROM THE SECURITY COMPANY AND TO BE TRANSFERRED TO YOUR ACCOUNT. I HONESTLY PRAY THAT THIS MONEY WHEN TRANSFERRED TO YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE SURE FOR THE SAID PURPOSE, BECAUSE I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT WEALTH ACQUISITION WITHOUT CHRIST IS VANITY. MAY THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I AWAIT YOUR URGENT REPLY. YOUR SISTER IN CHRIST. MRS STELLA TRICIA COLLINS --- I hate to even warn people to beware of this shit because all of you should be able to figure that out for yourself. Instead I hope to clue in those who still don't think that lots of Christians are freakin idiots about what is being done in their Lords name. Feel free to tell Stella how you feel. She is dead to me.
Gotta love those "smart ads"  wonder how many pukes open that page and can't help but look at the ad!
I can't help but mention... that we got a heart to give for ever $5 (tell me if I'm wrong here). $10 for one sticky? Some of us graphically obsessed are interested in more bang for our buck! it's all art right?
signed, cheap bastardette
 I heard something on the radio about "How low can he go" and decided I could do a cartoon showing a drunken cowboy doing the limbo. Let me know what you think. Start to finish took me about 2 minutes (with 15 minutes of coloring it)
About 3:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, the crowd at the Wordstock book festival started tipping to the left side of the Oregon Convention Center. The aisles that had been full of browsers emptied, the lines at Starbucks disappeared, and everyone moved toward the Borders Stage at the far end of the exhibition hall, next to the C-SPAN Book TV bus. <snip> (Gore) Vidal was Wordstock's cleanup hitter, the big name who made everyone stick around until the end of the two-day event. By the time Johnson got through talking about how she collects newspaper stories involving "bus plunges," most of the 560 seats in front of her were full. When the 80-year-old Vidal was helped to his seat by two men, at least 500 more people were standing more than 10 deep around the stage. The crowd for Vidal was the largest of the two-day event, much bigger than the audience for Joyce Carol Oates and Dave Eggers, the most popular first-day authors. <snip> "It will take three or four generations to undo what's been done in the last 12 years," he said. "It's quite a wreck." Asked later how that might be accomplished, he said a more responsible media would be a good start but added that "we have to put back together a republic that's been carefully torn apart."The rest of the story: http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf... I am just now discovering Gore Vidal and I am so sorry I missed this event! Let's toast to him living a long life and writing much more!
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - Police hunted Monday for chimpanzees that escaped from a Sierra Leone preserve and mauled a group of American and local sightseers, killing one man and injuring four people. The U.S. Embassy warned Americans against traveling to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where the chimps escaped before Sunday's attack on a taxicab. The Sierra Leonean driver died as the chimps ripped his body apart, and three Americans were treated at a hospital for minor injuries, said Oliver Somasa, a top police official. <snip> http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/a... Word is they are seeking asylum in the US White House, where murderous chimps are not only welcome, but exalted! 
|
Profile Information Caoimhe
2425 posts Member since Fri Oct 15th 2004 Latest Threads
The ten most recent threads posted on
the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums. Greatest Threads
The ten most recommended threads posted
on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums in the
last 24 hours. Visitor Tools
Use the tools below to keep track of updates to this Journal.
Discussion Forums
Big Forums
More Forums
Today's Featured Forums
|
