All the things I want to write about but have no time….
The fact the last week of the election is making me damn angry. It doesn’t take long for all the conservatives to get nervous and start making the most ridiculous claims, labels and accusations about the democrats. Seriously look at the “Maverick” Sarah Palin she can’t even deal with the old man and it will be a big blame fest when all is said and done if they do not win. McCain has to stand by the decision he made in picking her as VP because if not it will be one more bad decision he has made during this election.
Lets forget Blue State, Red State, Blue Fish, Red Fish for one minute. The future of our free world is dependant on more than some damn socially conservative morals. Morals is the one word I laugh about. I am an atheist but I still respect people. Last time I checked respecting people was a HUGE deal in Christianity and most religions yet in this time of desperation by the right they like to start being very Un-Christ like. These actions make me proud to not claim a religion because I would be the biggest hypocrite if I was the one speaking badly of people as so many are right now.
Then I start my classes next Monday which will make me a busy woman once more…I promise I will be writing more, I need too.
Tonight I meet with Brian the contractor for the Main South CDC, to discuss the housing development Hollis and Kilby Street. The townhouses are Energy Star homes. I found out about the grants and how the development came to be. I will be putting the experience on Real Worcester this weekend. Keep an eye out.. www.realworcester.com
I have been super busy and with no internet connection during the day I have little time at night. Don’t worry this weekend will bring some great post here and on other sites. I promise But for the time being watch this (thanks Will)
Just to prove the American people have no taste….. So on a blind taste test people choose Dunkin Donuts Coffee over Starbucks. My conclusion to this is just this:
These are the same people that like a tiny bit of coffee with their cream, so the weak strength of the coffee is A-Ok with them.
People have never been taught anything about coffee, they think Arabica beans from unknown Central and South American countries that are not produced in a Fair-Trade manner is all they can choose from.
These are the same people that voted Budweiser the #1 beer in the United States.
Here is the link: Dunkin Beats Starbucks……. Like MacDonald’s beats Chipolte and Coke Beats Pepsi….
Just for a note: I have worked at Starbucks (1997-2001), Peaberry Coffee (Denver 2001-2002) and a few local owned coffee shops such as Cafe Cubana in Tulsa, OK and 727 Hope Street & Hope Street Cafe in Providence. I think I have been around some coffee in my day. Dunkin has only done it when I need a sweet drink to nurse a hangover.
In the United States we live in what most consider a two party system. Unless of course you are a stark believer in the Green Party, Libertarian Party, or the Constitution Party then you feel your beliefs on how the United States Government should or shouldn’t control the country are not being met.
The United States has been primarily a two-party system since the 1860’s.There has been a couple dozen other parties to vote for elected officials in the United States over the last two hundred years to mention a few: The Socialist Workers Party, which was considered a communist party here in the United States with leaders such as Malcolm X and Che Guevara. Another one being the Socialist Party USA in the early 70’s whose platform was this “The Party’s principles and platform call for the elimination of the power of big business through public ownership and workers’ control, production for use instead of profit, and the establishment of a classless society.”
I want to break down the five major parties and what they stand for so the average American can understand. If only because it seems most people stand behind a “party name” while not knowing what they are standing for.
The Democratic Party which was formed originally in the late 1700’s and then the modern form as we know it was formed in the 1820’s. Being one of the oldest political parties in the world it stands for the government playing a large role in the reduction of poverty and social injustice while using taxation as the means to providing the programs that help with social causes. Some major key points for the Democratic Party in this very important election year are Universal Healthcare, ending the war in Iraq and to lower the amount of money the DOD gets, environmental and energy plans to bring the country where it belongs in the 21st century. The need for less big business in the government and more for the people of the United States in order to provide the people the opportunity to live the American Dream.
The Green Party is still a fairly new party since it was initially formed in 1996, with only being an active portion of out government since 2001. The green party is very far to the left and an idealist dream come true wanting everything from ecological change, gender/feminist equality, future focus, decentralization of the government and non-violence. I think the reason the Green Party has had such a hard time gaining popularity is because socially it is as liberal as liberal gets.( I will admit in 2000 I voted for Green Party and I was part of the 3% wasted vote that could have changed the direction of the last 8 years if those votes were cast for Gore instead of Nader.)
The Republican Party or the GOP (Grand Old Party) is the 2nd largest party in the United States. The Republican Party believes in smaller government and bigger business. They believe that legislators should create the laws and govern the people and that judges (Supreme Court) should not create laws. The biggest issue in this direction was Roe vs. Wade that allows for woman’s rights in deciding how to handle her body and the life of her unborn baby. The Republicans have supported many laws that restrict judge’s ability to hear cases such as same-sex marriage in the Marriage Protection Act, and the rights of detainees in Guantanamo Bay in the Detainee Treatment Act. They believe in fiscal conservatism with higher spending for defense. They believe that private sectors are more effective in helping the poor than government is. Some key points for the GOP this year are defense and making sure the war in Iraq is won, privatization of Social Security and the health care system. Their stand on Energy is prehistoric with emphasize on drilling domestically instead of advancing on alternative forms of energy such as hydrogen, solar and wind. Finally, Republicans are anti-union and oppose the raising of minimum wage because their focus is Big Business and not small town USA.
The Libertarian Party being the 5th largest party in the United States that has elected officials. This party stands behind privatization of Social Security and Welfare, with hopes in eliminating Social Welfare altogether. Protection of Property Rights as stated in the 5th and 14th amendment of the Constitution. Against any civil rights as Affirmative action as they restrict the private sector. The party is pro-choice in thoughts of abortion. Libertarians’ would like to eliminate the punishment for victimless crimes such as prostitution and use of controlled substances. The elimination of tax-payer funded social programs such as food stamps and section eight housing are also their key points. The one point I can stand behind is the use of “hard” currency and making sure the value of the dollar is backed by commodities.
Finally we have the Constitution Party which was founded as the US Taxpayers Party in 1992 is the 3rd largest party in the United States with just over 300k registered voters. This party backs the constitution and rights of the United States of America. This Party wants to reduce spending, cut political regulation and eliminate the income tax while replacing it with an excise tax. They stand behind having a smaller role in the United Nations and other international affairs and withdrawal from trade agreements such as the WTO and NAFTA. They also oppose same-sex unions, abortion and limit the death penalty to those convicted of capital crimes. Also opposing pornography citing it is the most destructive element in families. They support the repealing of the 16th (which allows Congress to tax income) and the 17th (which requires the direct election of senators) Amendments.
Why I bring this up is because as of the last week or so McCain has been throwing around the word “Socialist” as if it was a derogatory statement about Obama. He is trying to use scare tactics in order to ensure his win as the next President of the United States of America. Most average Americans know what they believe in, the role of government they want in their lives and do not go any further to know what politicians are selling them during an election. Stating that Obama wants to “spread the wealth” in the United States, but the conversation with Joe the Plumber was misunderstood. He wants to help the Americans that could use Joe’s services and without money to do so how could Joe’s business grow. I love that philosophy because it is the bottom-up plan and not the trickle down effect (this doesn’t work). Put more money in Americans hands to then spend and grow the economy.
Here is McCain’s Speech and the coward Joe Lieberman standing with him. Here McCain acts if he is not the one that started this whole “Joe the Plumber” mess to begin with. Joe the Plumber later stated that his business he wanted to buy would not make more than 250k a year so he would be okay with Obama’s tax plan. But seems McCain can not get the facts straight or at least he makes them work for him for the time being.
I feel that the air was cleared on a few issues this evening. I do believe that Obama has stayed focused and professional while McCain was nasty and disrespectful. McCain spends more time on the defense and pushing the blame to everyone but himself through out the debate. Talk of the rallies and peoples opinions is brought up and Obama stated “People scream “Terrorist” and “Kill Him” your running mate does not stop that.” While Obama was speaking McCain sits with a smirk at all times, a creepy old man smirk that makes me uncomfortable, then without any thought interrupts Obama mid sentence.
McCain can not take part of the blame of his campaign for people believing Obama is a terrorist, instead he blames that when you get groups of 15-20k you can not control what they say. I say when has McCain drawn crowds of 15k.
The conversation of Bill Ayers comes up Obama sets the story straight. Bill Ayers was on a school reform board with Ayers 10 years ago and he is not involved with him nor will he advice him in office.
Both candidates spoke of their VP choices and stood by why they are individually qualified. Obama mentioned that he believed Biden would be able to fill his seat if “good forbid” anything happened to him. McCain went over all of Palin’s “accomplishments” and then ended it with “Her Husbands a pretty tough guy..too.” Ugggg was all I could get out of my mouth upon hearing this comment. He wanted to focus on Palin’s choice to work on Autism programs, and Obama did mention that such programs would be spending in which McCain wanted to veto all spending.
Talk of the dependency on oil seemed to cause McCain to say “we need to drill NOW” and Obama focusing on the the fact that we could create 5 million new jobs in the process of going green. Nothing new was said and I still am 100% against off shore drilling as a person who lives on a coastal state it is a NIMBY moment. I am sure people in Iowa could care less.
Health Insurance where McCain sticks to his $5k a year tax credit, which all know will not cover the cost of insurance for a small family never mind the old or sick. Only states like Massachusetts which set in law that all companies must offer insurance to their workers, all though sometimes it still needs to be paid 100% by the employee could ensure that companies would not drop their health insurance benefits.
More chatter on Roe Vs Wade and Education. All the same things that have been said for the last few months. Reforming of the Head Start program and more competition in the public schools. “Cutting cost and reform need to be the future of education” says McCain, oh my god… McCain wants to focus on vouchers, where funding that heads to schools would be given to the families instead of the school system and the parents can choose where to send their kids to school. How can this work, this means there would be the one or two GREAT schools and then the rest would get the leftovers of teachers and unlucky students. Sighhhhh.
Overall the debate was entertaining and stressful at the same time. Obama stayed on key and McCain was tripping over words… Enough Said!!!!
If I did not already think that the GOP VP nominee was an idiot, I would after her slip with the “Great Northwest” comment she made today in New Hampshire speech. I am sure that comment was enough to maybe turn off a few more potential voters in my neighboring state. Check it out:
I am sorry but she says this Great Northwest when comparing New Hampshire to other states in the Great Northwest. Why is she such an idiot?
I may not be the biggest fan of big box stores for my decorating needs, but with the news that Linens & Things is closing their doors after no offers were made to buy up the company, comes liquidation sales. The company has over 500 locations and filed for Bankruptcy protection this past May and closing over 100 locations in hopes to save the company while cutting losses. Liquidation sales will be starting as soon as today. Head on over to your closest location:
So today Neil and I wanted to head somewhere… We were hoping to Vermont or the Berkshires. So after I went to get groceries and made my 40 minute appearance at the gym we hit the road. I wanted to take some pretty pics of the foliage on this fine October-Sunday, there will not be many more of these days I am sure. We stopped at the French King Bridge in Gill to take a few pictures of the water and the leaves turning all shades of red and copper.
So all was good …right? We drove off and passed this cute yard sale only about a mile up the road I see these two chairs while we are driving at 50 miles per hour and almost beg to turn around and check them out. We get out of the car, cross the street and then I see they are only $1.00 each. These great Eames Era Modern Chairs that with some paint I can make to look like $300.00 Herman Miller beauties… So for $2.00 I got these:
I just need to take care of the rust on the legs with and then paint them a lacquered white. The seats I will restore to a bright orange. Oh I can’t wait…
So we hop back in the car to head to Vermont and the car will not start. Neil mentions that the battery has been not wanting to juice up lately. I wish I knew earlier we could have taken my car. So we call AAA and they send a guy, this takes about an hour for the man to come and get us “juiced” up and back on the road. At this point we just decide to head back to Worcester because good forbid we are in the middle of nowhere Vermont and the battery dies again. So our day trip was cut short but we stopped at Wild Willy’s for lunch and came back home.
As most know already I am a huge fan of Alec Lopez’s bar The Dive and gastropub The Armsby Abbey. The Abbey takes great food with the extraordinairie selection of craft and Belgium Beers. This afternoon Neil and I made it over to the Abbey for their Fall Harvest Brunch. I was very much impressed.
Of course I ordered a beer, because how could I go there and not have a beer and it was almost 2pm so more than acceptable time of day. I had the Founders Brewery Breakfast Stout, which Alec introduced to Neil and Myself last fall. It is a warm combination of Oatmeal and Chocolate stout.
I am a huge fan of good cheese plates and this is the one reason I will never be 100% Vegan. I do feel better to eat local and all the items at the Abbey are local when available which is 99% of the time.
Alec shared with us a beer knowing we are huge Dogfish Head fans,we tried Theobroma, which was not at all what I expected from the beer that was brewed with Chocolate and Chili’s. It was smooth, light head and a light golden color. It only comes in a 750ml bottle with very limited release. I have yet to see it in any of my normal stomping ground stores. It was very good, but I would have enjoyed more of a spicy taste.
Brunch was fantastic……Everyone must check out Brunch at the Abbey, Saturday and Sundays from 11am until 4pm.
Last night Neil, Sandy (Neil’s mom) and myself headed down to Newport to the Rene Gagnon Gallery showing at the DeBlois Gallery. We spent 90% of the day down in Fall River so Neil could help his dad with a few things and then the 3 of us went down to Newport. First having a beer at a Tavern where the best beer I could find was a Newport Storm Oktoberfest,let me state I am not a fan of Oktoberfest beers at all. Then to top it off the girl gave me a beer which both labels were off the bottle, I am all about presentation and that was not the best way to present a beer to me of all people.
We then went across the street to the gallery.Back story is that Neil and myself are lovers of street art, if I had the money I think we would have our walls one hundred percent covered with the likes of Rene Gagnon, Billy the Kid, and Shepard Fairy. But with the growth in the love for the raw art the prices have grown also. Rene went to the same high school as Neil and they are about the same age, Neil has followed him since finding out about him. This summer we went to Beacon NY to a street art exhibit and Rene was there doing his piece. We chatted with Rene and his wife Raquel. So we went to the opening night at the gallery in Newport last night, chatted with both of them again. Rene was told he would have the whole Gallery and not only a 3rd of the space so he commented on the fact he had done some 40 pieces for the show and was only able to put about 20 of them up. The prices of the works were between $500-$3,000, these being the smaller of his works because he loves the large 7×7 canvases.
We had a great time, drank a bit to much wine and headed back to Fall River. Neil and I still would very much like to have an art gallery showing here at the Lofts, we feel there would be a great amount of interest and the wall space in this building is calling for some big pieces of art.
