Getting Militant Again

I have been fired up this last week. First gay rights, now a woman's right to choose is in the headlines. I wrote about my feelings on my other blog. Check it out!

I Hate Prop 8

So today started off pretty awesome with a Hispanic woman being picked as a nominee, for our nation's Supreme Court. But then civil rights took a step backwards just as quickly as it progressed. The horribly hateful Proposition 8 was upheld by California's Supreme Court. 6-1. To quote my brother Brandon, that is "6 justices who don't believe in civil rights.". I was angry and disappointed, but I turned off the television, and had a nice playdate with a friend and her adorable son. Then comes naptime, and my computer time, and now I am really angry after reading an article on S.F. Gate.

These are the paragraphs in particular that made me angry:



Among the first to go were Shawn Higgins and Robert Franco of San Francisco. The two men, who said they are engaged to marry, had stood for about an hour in the intersection calmly kissing while demonstrators all around them screamed, "Prop. 8 will go down, San Francisco (is a) big queer town" and other slogans.

Damn straight San Francisco is a big queer town! (excuse the pun) And don't you forget it! Who let the Prop 8 supporters over the bridges?!



Jorge Riley, 31, of Sacramento also got up early to make the drive to San Francisco to hoist his sign reading, "Gay = Pervert."

Seriously?! What a hateful, horrible person.

This is a civil rights issue, plain and simple. If you do not agree with me please do not read my blog, do not leave any comments on my blog, and do not follow my blog. Quietly go and unfollow me. And tell your friends not to read my blog. I am too angry and disgusted to be diplomatic right now.

I think rioting is completely warranted. I know that is a shocking statement, but think about it. Somebody is telling you that you can't get married. Think really hard about that........you can't marry the person you love. Wouldn't you feel outraged? Hurt? Demeaned? Feel less than a second class citizen? I would.

I want to take to the streets but I am ashamed to admit that I get caught up in the logistics of whose going to watch my kids while I am in jail. And honestly I don't want my kids around those hateful, ignorant Prop. 8 supporters. They frighten me, so I am sure they would frighten my kids.

This is the part of that article that gave me hope:

While some police officers kept watch from the outside of the protest circle, about 10 officers were positioned inside. Each of those 10 officers are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, said Lt. Lea Militello of the Tenderloin Station.

"Absolutely it affects me. I got married in October," she said.

Police Sgt. Carl Tennenbaum said the officers on the scene ranged from gay to conservative, and many had to say they had "mixed feelings would be putting it mildly." However, he said, "You just have to set the issues aside and do your job."

Maybe when supporters of Prop. 8 see that this truly affects "normal" citizens, like police officers, they will begin to change their minds. I say this because I am under the impression that many supporters of this hateful legislation, have only experienced stereotypes of homosexuals. They are not aware that gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgender people come from every walk of life. So I believe we will have a chance to put this on the ballot again, and make justice and equality for everyone.

An American Bar In Iraq

So my younger brother Bill is in Iraq. Weird place for a Navy Seal since there isn't a lot of ocean in the desert, but Seals are good for other stuff too. I was talking to him this evening on Facebook, using instant messaging. I actually talk to him more now than I did when he was in San Diego because when he is at home in his spare time he is surfing or hanging out with his wife. Now that he is bored in his spare time he talks to basically any family or friends on Facebook. He also called me on my cell phone and it sounded like he was in California, it was amazing! He told me everything is monitored so basically the phone calls consist of me talking about the kids.

This evening he did say that him and his buddies are building a bar and would like bar decorations. I made some joke about building a matching still and making potato wine, which he promptly ignored, making me slap my forehead remembering that he has told me countless times everything is monitored, Duh! Anyways I do want to help our men in uniform by sending them bar decorations.

I asked my husband if he would like to donate his dogs playing poker tapestry he got in Tiajuana while at UCSD but he actually got sad and said only if Bill promises to bring it back. OMG, of course I am not going to ask Bill to bring that back from Iraq! Men get so goofy and sentimental about that shit, I knew better than to ask about the framed velvet painting of the monkey poker dealer. So I said fine then I am buying Bill a neon sign and Erik said fine.



My brother's name is Bill, when you get a chance, please say a prayer. And I don't care who you pray to, it could be G-d, Buddha, Jesus or your garden gnome just say, "Please let Charlotte's brother Bill come home intact.".
Below is a pic of Bill with my first born. They are clones. Bill has passed out watching Transformers with his first nephew.

This is Bill's beautiful wife Ari with a squirmy Bekah, Dec. 2007

This is Bill with Jake after Jake has obviously eaten a dinner of sweet potatoes and carrots. I am guessing since he looks a little orange. Dec. 2007

Tommorrow is the Day!

Don't forget to vote tommorrow. Let's all channel Obama's Grandma. Her name is Madelyne if you need a name to pray with. Yes I am going to get all cosmic and spiritual on your ass for a second. Look this is important, not just for our country but for our planet and our planet is ruled by other planets etc. etc.

Dear Madelyne must have passed today for a reason. Her beloved Grandson may or may not be voted into the next presidency tommorrow. Now we have all heard stories, whether it be Hollywood or personal, where a sick and elderly person held on to life to complete a mission. Both Johnny Cash and Ray Charles died right before the stories of their lives hit the big screens but they had both worked on perfecting their story so the truth came out. Once they knew that was going to happen they were able to leave this planet in peace. Maybe Madelyne knew that her legacy would continue with her grandson, and she was able to leave in peace. So it's our responsiblity to make sure that happens.

Ok I will stop.


So earlier today I passed out door hangers for local Democrats with Mike and Jake. I probably broke some child labor laws but it's for a good cause. Actually they sent us out into a neighborhood in Walnut Creek where only half the streets had sidewalks, so only half the stuff got hung up because I wasn't risking my children's lives. This election is important but not that important.

Earlier this evening our friend called to talk to Erik and started asking about me and the recent drama. I was shocked realizing that a guy friend had heard about this mama drama and actually called my husband to ask about it. And of course Erik was telling him his version of events which is wrong and then joking about living with a social pariah and leper colonies etc. etc. Meanwhile I am convulsing in the corner begging for the phone. I finally get it and set the record somewhat straight, I won't lie, I can do positive spin. One of his co-workers is a member of that mom's club and mentioned some of what was going on, that's how a random guy found out. Turns out she is on my side so that was comforting. San Ramon is a small town.

Vote for Obama.

More Mama Drama

Oh will it ever end? So I wrote in an earlier post about the drama going on in my mom's club, that is not like that other mom's club. Drama that is completely new to us as we grow larger and less intimate. I will be brief in my explanation of this new shitstorm that I have apparently caused. My friend and former President of the moms club's husband is running for water management board, and I am not using any names here or real positions just in case anyone significant reads my blog. So our club was running a poll and I made a joke saying that a poll was a great way to practice voting for next week and that we should vote No on 8, Yes on Obama and Yes on this woman's husband. So a new member I have never met or heard of, sent out an email saying that the mom's club is not a political club and that I need to keep my opinions to myself. Awesome. So I felt bad because I am causing problems for my friend who is president, M so I sent out a nice apology. That is the email directly below. Well a bunch of other moms sent me personal emails expressing disbelief that somebody could actually be offended so I wrote a fake letter just for them. That one is below the real kiss ass one that I sent out.


Dear L and anyone I offended,
As a former member of the board, I am aware of the bylaws and you are right this is not a political club. By the way the bylaws are a great way to cure insomnia, just ask Madame President M. I know she has had to peruse them quite frequently in the past few weeks and I sincerely apologize to her for causing any problems with my previous email. I also apologize to you L. and anyone else that was offended.

L. since you are new I am sure we haven't met and you may not be aware that there was a punchline in that email. Our former Moms Club President's husband is running for the San Ramon Water Management Board. Though this role is important it is politically benign and he is a super nice guy so I was offering my support. So when it comes to apologies, I don't apologize for saying vote for him. Unless of course your partner is running against him for same position and then I do apologize to you again.

L. I encourage you to participate at club events and then you can see that we are all friendly, but it's hard to tell that by emails sometimes unless you rely heavily on emoticons to express yourself. # : ) I did not make it to hoot and howl because I was too tired after having the book club at my house Monday morning, and SuperFranks was during my daughter's soccer class, and if you were at the Halloween party this morning I am sorry I didn't get a chance to introduce myself, I was chasing my boys.

L. and K. N. there is a seperate email group for our club that is about discussion ,politcial and otherwise, I forget who moderates it but if you send an email out asking you will get an answer. That group is great for getting into intelligent discussions after the kids go to bed and we all agree to disagree respectfully and learn new things from and about each other.

Welcome to the club,
Charlotte Gracer mother to:
Michael Rankin Gracer 4 years old, Rebekah Hazel Gracer almost 3 years old and Jacob William Gracer 19 months old


Below is the fake email that I didn't send, it was just my way of venting.






Dear L. and any other bitch that bursts into tears when somebody looks at you cross-eyed,

As a former member of the board, a thankless job just like motherhood, I am completely aware that I was breaking one of our million bylaws. I have to admit I was fishing people like you out of the moms club population so when we do split off I know where not to go. I do apologize to M for causing her to have to deal with more whining that seems to never end from the likes of you. Thing is M is a big girl and will probably get over it loooong before you do.

L. , and you other bitches, since you are new we probably haven't met and if we have it will probably take me a year to remember your face since all the pot I smoked in an earlier life and the ravages of motherhood have left me short on braincells. It would also help though if you actually showed up to moms club events, not like that other mom's club.Before having kids I was never in a club so I really don't understand the point of joining something and never showing up. Well except for my old gym membership. Unless you actually like to sit home in your p.j.s feeling sorry for yourself and sending out snotty emails, then by all means party on. But actually we are really friendly in person, in fact if you showed up in your p.j.s nobody would really care, especially if you bring us cookies. In fact I went to a moms club event today, not like that other mom's club, without showering and wearing one of my husband's shirts and people still talked to me. My kids looked gorgeous and we were out of the house socializing and that is what is most important.

If you and the other spazzes would come to stuff you would also maybe get some inside jokes because you would meet other moms and know who they are and that their husband was running for city stuff. I mean really if I didn't know my friend do you think I would give a flying fuck about the water management board?! No offense to you know who.

Ok really we had 4 events going on this week, you could at least go to 1! And don't fucking whine to me how hard it is to get out of the house, I am well aware of that. My morning started before the sun came up and before noon I had changed 4 diapers, fed 6 mammals if you include all my kids, me, my husband and the damn cat,made a sack lunch,dressed 2 kids and yelled at the other to dress himself, brushed their hair, took one kid to preschool while the other 2 tagged along, delivered a bale of hay and cheese and crackers to a moms club event and made sure my boys ate something besides cookies and cigarette butts, returned the bale of hay, got the van washed and vacuumed all the hay out, fed the boys lunch, dropped off son at school and picked up daughter, put her and younger brother down to nap, ate my lunch, and drank roughly 600 milligrams of caffiene. I dare you to whine to my face about how hard it is to get out of the house.

Welcome to the club,
Charlotte Gracer mother to:
Michael Rankin Gracer 4 years old honey moon baby, Rebekah Hazel Gracer almost 3 years old didn't use a condom or birth control after I stopped nursing, Jacob William Gracer 19 months old was on the birth control pill for the first 7 weeks of his gestational life.

P.S.
L. you didn't tell us your political affiliation when you sent out your brief, albeit bitchy email, so I will just take a wild guess that you won't be needing any extra No On 8 signs from my front yard. Go ahead and call me a liberal queer loving fag hag, because I have been called worse. In fact if you have been in our moms club for awhile you would know that my 4 year old has been known to call me a poopy vagina.
Peace out.

On Sunday I learned that yelling, "Fucking Fox News!", is not appropriate at the gym. I was punishing myself on the treadmill and at first put on CNN, but Fareed Zakaria was interviewing Queen Rania of Jordan. She was going on about how it's ok to wear a veil if you choose to. I was not into that. The t.v. at the gym is limited, it's mostly sports channels, a girly movie, a gory movie and CNN or Fox. So I switched on Fox and immediately became enraged.

The anchor men and women on Fox were besides themselves because Colin Powell had endorsed Obama. They were interviewing people on the street but being very selective. They asked this one woman about Powell's endorsement and she was all disgusted and said his motive must be because he wanted a position in Obama's cabinet. Then the reporter asked her about Palin's performance on Saturday Night Live, and this same random citizen went on to say that she was brilliant and that it was brave of her to go into the thick of it. I am assuming she meant the dark hole of liberalism that is SNL. Then they went back to the anchorman who said that they were just waiting on Obama to speak live at a rally but he was running late. And then he actually pointed out that McCain wasn't late at the rally he spoke at earlier in the day but we are going to wait for Obama anyways because we are fair and balanced. WTF! No you are not!! That's when I lost it.


A couple of people looked and I pretended that nothing happened and switched on football. Even though football is on at my house on Sundays for 12 hours at a time. I decided that I was better off lifting weights.

Then Limbaugh on Monday was saying that Colin Powell only endorsed Barack Obama because they are both black. He repeated it several times, loudly. I am not making this up. I used to like and respect McCain. But paired with Palin, he has become so simple and base. So scummy and desperate. Palin is not afraid to stir up the most hostile rancor. She is not afraid to liberate the ignorant, to validate the seemingly disenfranchised. When she is done stirring up this anger and Obama wins (please, please, please) where is this riotous mob going to go? What are they going to do?

What is November 5th going to be like?

Palin doesn't rhyme with Stalin

Bye baby bunting

Father's gone a hunting

Mother's gone a milking

Sister's gone a silking

And brother has gone to get a skin

to wrap the baby bunting in

When I read this poem to my 3 toddlers a week ago I thought to myself that this mother had spaced her children really far apart. While reading this poem again tonight, at bedtime, I thought to myself that it sounded like Sarah Palin's family. Especially if "gone a silking" is a euphemism for something that gets you knocked up.

Sarah Palin getting nominated for the Republican's choice for Vice President really got people fired up! The Republicans are all happy and excited, at least the ones on television. I don't know many Republicans so I will just have to trust in the enthusiasm I see on my cable news shows. The Democrats are fired up but their faces don't seem so shiny and happy.

I think the Democrats are a tad nervous. Americans like fresh, new and exciting, we have short attention spans. That nervousness was never so obvious in the $8million in donations to Obama's campaign that came rolling in the day after Palin's acceptance speech. Ugh, we have 7 more weeks of this election and I already find her voice more annoying than George W. Bush's.

In fact I started this entry a week ago and now I don't even have the energy to finish it, I am already so sick of Sarah Palin! It just kills me that so many of the happy, shiny t.v. Republicans can actually say she has foreign relations experience because Alaska is next to Russia. That's like me saying since I am married to a doctor I am qualified to give you a rectal exam. I could fake it, but would you really want me to?

DNC

Ok so after bath and bedtime this evening I made sure that Hillary's speech was being recorded on our Tivo before I started dinner. I have to share my opinions on her speech on my blog because Erik is working at home on his computer tonight and can't be interrupted by my commentary. So anyone reading this is welcome to skip or skim the following.

So I am watching MSNBC because Fox is the evil right and CNN can be too liberal even for me. In the minutes before Hillary took the stage it was like watching the coverage before the Super Bowl. Lots of talking heads trying to guess what she was going to say while the camera was firmly lodged on Bill Clinton in the audience. Bill was sitting next to a woman I didn't recognize and was talking her ear off. What amused me was that she seemed to be leaning away from him and barely listening. This is Bill Clinton, the man who can talk the panties off a Nun. I even had to interrupt Erik to show him this and he agreed that you have to be a very hard-core lesbian to not be charmed by Bill Clinton. Sure enough about 3 minutes later this woman leaned closer, tossed her hair and smiled. You gotta love him. I mean I would never want to be married to him, he is a horrible slut, but if you have ever had guys as friends, you know some them just can't help it. Some men play football, some men play women.

That is why I could never vote for Hillary. It's ok to be friends with men like that, even date them, but you don't marry and have children with them. And if you do, once it becomes obvious that they just can't keep it zipped up, you dump them. It is your right as a mother (especially to a daughter), to set an example on how wives and mothers should be treated.

Having said all that Hillary's speech moved me to tears twice this evening. I had to endure some severe eye-rolling by my husband but I let the tears flow. The video before her speech at first made me laugh because it was so transparent in it's goal to make Hillary girlie and even kind of hot. Thumping, throbbing rock music and pics of Hillary young and in college, with long hair, and glossy lips. Too much. But then when they showed several pictures of young children and Chelsea started narrating and talking about the G-d given potential of every child...........well I took off my glasses and started rubbing my eyes.

Once Hillary took the stage in her orange power suit and started hitting all the key points, my tears dried and I started to eat my veggie pizza fresh from the oven. I kept the t.v. on and got fired up from the kitchen table as she ripped on the republicans and really plugged health care. The tears started to flow once again when she started talking about the fight for the right for women to vote. When she brought up Harriet Tubman I lost it. The several references to the 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling was pretty awesome too.

The fact that I didn't vote for Hillary and just can't put aside my personal feelings in regards to her personal situation, doesn't mean I don't respect her on some level. I have known many a smart woman who has made many a stupid decision when it comes to their personal life. Here is my double standard; I truly believe Bill Clinton is a slut but I would vote for him again, I would not vote for Hillary for putting up with Bill's behavior. It's awful, I know, but I expect alot more out of women than men. I need to change my attitude because I have 2 sons but as it stands right now I can forgive men like Bill Clinton because I believe they just have not evolved enough to be able to control themselves.

I could only vote for a woman for president if she is capable of putting a man in his place. Hillary is awesome, she has done amazing things and raised an amazing daughter. But Hillary Rodham Clinton did not respect herself or her daughter enough to get rid of a man who cheated on her with several women, including a young woman the same age as her daughter.

If only Michelle Obama would run for president, and if she was Jewish too!