tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16532843000344461812023-11-15T23:03:06.831-08:00Washboard ExpressMarcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-51082811436746722842013-10-22T17:20:00.000-07:002013-10-22T19:38:53.861-07:00Letter #169... Dear Mr. President... The Absurdity!<style>
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
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<br /></div>
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I think it’s time to have a discussion about the “absurdity”
of Americans and most particularly, parents when it comes to ‘protecting’ our
children. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Yesterday there was yet another school shooting, this time
at a middle school in Sparks, Nevada by a 12 year old boy that got a gun from
his own home, a semi-automatic pistol that was apparently not “locked up”… </div>
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<br /></div>
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I find it absolutely ‘crazy’ that parents ‘claim’ they will
do anything to protect their children from harm, except apparently, to lock up
their guns. The lengths that our society is going to, to protect children is
simply mind-boggling. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEeKO1qbHZqcUNdDl3u62FE3f-PKxe6hGfxQSO8kLzeojUy1dT5Hq2quLVdlgHr3yMx1aQGGZu5JRNe9WsvYIX-MLPfEvSI1dibNL_n5JTiqiJF7qk13rro8U2wzqTEc1oR0XLDoKGYVa/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEeKO1qbHZqcUNdDl3u62FE3f-PKxe6hGfxQSO8kLzeojUy1dT5Hq2quLVdlgHr3yMx1aQGGZu5JRNe9WsvYIX-MLPfEvSI1dibNL_n5JTiqiJF7qk13rro8U2wzqTEc1oR0XLDoKGYVa/s200/DownloadedFile.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We claim to protect our kids... and yet...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Here are a few examples:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just recently the Kentucky High School Athletic Assoc.
directed its high schools to “not participate in organized post-game hand-shake
lines/ceremonies,” due to too many fights. Sportsmanship be damned, we need to
prevent our ‘kids’ from fighting by protecting them from an outstretched hand.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Kids on too many playgrounds are not allowed to play 'tag'
anymore because it constitutes ‘physical contact’… another school in N.Y. just
banned 'balls' at recess. Really? The answer? According to the district
superintendent, “we want to make sure our children have fun but are also
protected.” Protected from what… a ball? How much fun can recess be now? Our kids
can’t go out and play by themselves anymore… they have to have ‘arranged play
dates’… they can’t ride bikes without a helmet or roller blade without a
helmet, kneepads, and elbow pads. They can’t skate board without all of the
above gear, and most communities won’t let them skate on the sidewalks, but
it’s illegal to skate board in the street because it’s not safe. Kids don’t
play pick-up baseball or football games any more it’s all organized through the
school or recreation centers. Most kids don’t walk to school any more, even if
they live within walking distance, because parents are afraid that they might
be snatched by some stranger, which by the way, rarely happens.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The point is, is that most parents go to great lengths to
protect their children from all kinds of ‘perceived’ dangers, but they don’t
have the common sense to lock up their guns. I just cannot wrap my mind around
that mentality. We pass all kinds of school rules to protect kids from
being… well, kids. We can even ‘protect’ them from learning sportsmanship, but
we can’t seem to pass a single law that protects them from gun violence… it is
absolutely criminal, and ABSURD!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I don’t give a tinkers damn how many ‘men’ shoot off their
penis’, but I do care about the children in this country who are slaughtered by
guns each and every day. Please bring this “absurdity” to the attention of the
public because we seem to have lost all semblance of common sense when it comes
to “really” protecting children.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny </div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-58693997595002616752013-09-07T17:33:00.000-07:002013-09-07T17:33:45.392-07:00Letter #168... Dear Mr. President... It's Time to Fight for Our Kids
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
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<br /></div>
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On Tuesday you said you plan to, “make the best case that I
can,” for a military strike on Syria, and that “there are times where we have
to make hard choices if we’re going to stand up for the things that we care
about, and I believe that this is one of those times.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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Didn’t you make the best case you could for Congress to pass
some common sense gun control laws? Or, was that just lip service for the
parents, friends, family, and the country, just after the slaughter of
‘innocent children’ at Sandy Hook? How can you make a case to the world or even
this Congress regarding military action in Syria when you can’t make a case for
saving the lives of ‘innocent children’ slaughtered by weapons of mass destruction in this country? </div>
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<br /></div>
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We’re wringing our hands over 400 ‘innocent children’ killed
by their own government in Syria, but we are doing absolutely nothing about the
2,848 children that are killed in America every year because of gun violence…
that’s 8 ‘innocent children’ every single day, day in and day out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGa3u5VFMaP3lyWEEEeNo5lXlG7T1KL2qptqfTeervUxDTQAjOlgyj5U6e5-9zE_iwXlKGPytp6k2OODxyJgCuImHWaJ8x4UBidQf3Js_e3LazW-74ZqizSqsoE59lhXb8Z5ZIfHlf0DB/s1600/fightforkids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGa3u5VFMaP3lyWEEEeNo5lXlG7T1KL2qptqfTeervUxDTQAjOlgyj5U6e5-9zE_iwXlKGPytp6k2OODxyJgCuImHWaJ8x4UBidQf3Js_e3LazW-74ZqizSqsoE59lhXb8Z5ZIfHlf0DB/s320/fightforkids.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop the bombing...It's time to protect our children </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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I find it offensively hypocritical of the U.S. to be ‘up in
arms’ over the use of chemical weapons when you consider our history… the horrors
of WWI led to the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which banned the use of chemical
weapons. The U.S. didn’t sign until 1975, long after dumping hundreds of
thousands of gallons of Agent Orange in Vietnam and Cambodia, with the
‘unintended consequence’ being the loss of thousands of lives, including our
own U.S. Servicemen. It wasn’t until a 1997 that an international treaty banned
the production, stockpiling and use of these weapons. Angola, North Korea,
Egypt, South Sudan and Syria are still not signatories to the pact. </div>
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<br /></div>
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You condemn Assad’s “brazen use” of chemical weapons and the
deaths of hundreds of children as a violation of international norms and said
that failure to act would empower other “rogue nations, authoritarian regimes
and terrorist organizations” to develop and use weapons of mass destruction.
Don’t you think that the U.S. is outside the “norm” when it comes to our
obsessive use of ‘personal weapons’? Don’t you think that our failure to pass
comprehensive background checks, limiting magazine capacities, and limits on
the amount of ammunition one person can purchase, is outside the ‘norm’ and
could embolden “stand your ground’ crackpots and right-wing gun enthusiasts, not to mention how it's already emboldened the NRA?</div>
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<br /></div>
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If we worked half as hard at passing laws that keep our
streets safe, and our kids alive, as we do in trying to ‘police’ the world and trying to protect Syria's children, then
we wouldn’t have 8 children a day and 2,848 children a year, slaughtered in
this country. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, these are hard times and you have hard choices to make,
it’s time to stand with Americans who want an END to bombing, an END to boots
on the ground, an END to more military interventions, and an END to any and all
wars of any kind… It’s time to make our children what you
care about most. It's time to end the violence against our children with weapons of mass destruction... ENOUGH is ENOUGH.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-74002876371249625042013-08-25T13:23:00.000-07:002013-08-25T13:24:26.377-07:00Letter #167... Dear Mr. President... Time to Reignite the Dream<style>
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
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<br /></div>
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For the first time in my 67 years on this planet I’m afraid
for this country, and I’m starting to be afraid of the people in this country.
I’m afraid that the horrific upswing in blatant racism toward you, will take
this country back to the early 60’s. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Yesterday my husband and I went to see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Lee Daniels’ The Butler</u></i>, it was an excellent film in every
way, in fact, most of the people in the theater applauded at the end… it was
that powerful. </div>
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<br /></div>
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With the 50<sup>th</sup> Anniversary of Dr. Kings “I Have a
Dream” speech, I see his dream coming apart piece by piece, vote by vote, gun
by gun, and law by law. When this country elected you I thought, ‘at last’ we
would finally see the end of racism in America… that having an African American
in the White House would unite us ‘at last’. But it seems that quite the
opposite has happened, we are more divided, and more divisive than ever before
in my memory. It seems that racism has only lain dormant during that time, and
your election, instead of reigniting the dream, has brought the Confederacy
back to life with all of it’s ugly symbolism using tea bags instead of white
sheets and pointed hats.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-L4UNuo36xLtitZhBQRdxDtV4IdH0fFsBy-3E5nqfPu5YlsLqgCklPV0kp4o1BfwhNDSxkjjUYa-vahCIMzUKDQNvXP9Ve6H9AwmdYycZ90Q4yBZ9OQj8CcwXgzOwnokiC86ckOppP0A/s1600/RedeemDream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-L4UNuo36xLtitZhBQRdxDtV4IdH0fFsBy-3E5nqfPu5YlsLqgCklPV0kp4o1BfwhNDSxkjjUYa-vahCIMzUKDQNvXP9Ve6H9AwmdYycZ90Q4yBZ9OQj8CcwXgzOwnokiC86ckOppP0A/s320/RedeemDream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I’m not alone in feeling this way, I read more and more
people expressing utter dismay at the things we are witnessing…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Citizens United saying that
corporations are people, median income a full 6% lower than its peak in 2007,
literally hundreds of bills introduce that restrict a woman’s right to choose
and mandate unreasonable intrusive reproductive screenings, Stand Your Ground
laws that allow a person to shoot an unarmed teen, the Supreme Court striking
down a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and over 80 measures to
restrict voting rights in 31 states, in 2013 alone. The reduction in early
voting, the elimination of same-day voter registration, and the repeal of high
school voter registration drives. Texas Republicans even pushed through a bill
that would allow a concealed-carry gun permit to be used as voter
identification but not a student ID. Now you have to prove that the laws are
discriminatory rather than the state having to show they are not before
implementing them. All of these things are outrageous and unacceptable. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I was heartened and surprised to see the ACA passed, but in
the short time since and even before full implementation the Republicans have
voted 40 times to overturn it in part or in whole. Why? I know you have asked
this Congress to pass the Jobs Act on numerous occasions, but they have failed
to pass a single piece of legislation regarding jobs, and all the while we see
peoples income declining. Why? Just maybe if a Jobs Act had been passed then
the three teenage boys would have had jobs instead of being so bored that shot
and killed an innocent Australian man while he was jogging. Why? Where is the
Dream that MLK talked about almost 50 years ago?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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In a recent poll for the Pew Research Center, titled “King’s
Dream Remains an Elusive Goal,” only 26% of African Americans said the
situation for black people has improved and 21% said that things have gotten
worse. Things are going backwards.</div>
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I don’t know what else you can
do that you have not already tried. Your positivity in the face of immense
adversity is laudable even if it goes unnoticed and unappreciated. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The big question is; how do we
reignite Dr. King’s Dream? How did we let a minority of haters wield a bigger
stick than the majority of people who want to move this country forward? How do
we reverse this insidious trend to destroy this country just to see your
Presidency fail, because that seems to be the GOP agenda? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -13.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We can all
do it just like Dr. King did back in the 60’s… by speaking up, by calling
people out when they lie or misrepresent the truth, or try to suppress and
alter the facts. YOU, Mr. President must lead the way… you can no longer afford
to let the radical right-wingers get away with maligning you with impunity, and
threats of impeachment. Because every time you let them get away with it by not
speaking up, it emboldens them to continue and signals to those listening that
it may be the truth. We need all elected Democrats to push back against any and
all falsehoods with swiftness and conviction. You, and other Democrats can take
a lesson from Kentucky Governor, Steve Beshear when he spoke about the ACA at a
fundraising breakfast attended by both Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Beshear
said,"it's no fun" hoping and praying you don't get sick, or choosing
whether to pay for food or medicine. He also said Kentucky is at or near the
top of the charts on bad-health indicators, including heart disease, diabetes,
cancer deaths, and preventable hospitalizations. He said all that affects
everything from productivity and school attendance to health costs and the
state's image.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"We've
ranked that bad for a long, long time," he said. "The Affordable Care
Act is our historic opportunity to address this weakness and to change the
course of the future of the commonwealth. We're going to make insurance
available for the very first time in our history to every single citizen of the
commonwealth of Kentucky."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is what
all Democrats should be doing and saying because if we don’t start pushing back now, and
pushing back unapologetically, then the 2014 elections will be another mid-term
disaster. We can’t let that happen, you can’t let that happen. We need you to
be the fearless leader we saw during your campaigns, you’ve got nothing to lose
at this point and everything to gain… now LIGHT THAT FIRE!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Most
Respectfully,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Marcia
Reimers,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your Gadfly
Granny</span></div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-53410358074737862132013-07-18T20:58:00.001-07:002013-07-18T21:00:42.873-07:00Letter #166... Dear Mr. President... You Were Wrong!<style>
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Dear Mr. President,<br />
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I don’t often say this, but “you were wrong.” I must
respectfully disagree with your remarks after the acquittal of G. Zimmerman in
the murder of Trayvon Martin. To say that “We are a nation of laws and a jury
has spoken. I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection
from two parents who lost their son” is like saying you can “Stand Your Ground”
if you’re white, and you can do it with a gun, but if you’re a black teenager
using your fists, you are dead.<br />
</div>
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However, I’m going to give you the benefit of doubt, and
will assume that the reason you did not make a more proactive statement of
utter disgust is because you did not want to jeopardize either a civil lawsuit
or a DOJ lawsuit against Zimmerman for a wrongful death or a federal hate
crime.<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_ttGwe0W9RbEE8ufXugFhyphenhyphenZzHK8uNk2y2uv6TUZWe0L0VA_alSaib0ncM3h0hA2gL2egjFjnK1cjOuwS-AzEvpRX2QZty3fePNBazStuJYzst7ncEdPldtOzpH7C5GmJ1oRyMCcD8vU_/s1600/Trayvon-Martin-001_540x405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_ttGwe0W9RbEE8ufXugFhyphenhyphenZzHK8uNk2y2uv6TUZWe0L0VA_alSaib0ncM3h0hA2gL2egjFjnK1cjOuwS-AzEvpRX2QZty3fePNBazStuJYzst7ncEdPldtOzpH7C5GmJ1oRyMCcD8vU_/s320/Trayvon-Martin-001_540x405.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trayvon should haunt all of us until the "SYG" laws are abolished</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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With that said, I cannot imagine a world where we calmly
accept a travesty of justice like the Zimmerman trial based on a flawed law
that allows a person to chase an innocent person down the street, after being
told by the police to stop, start a fight, then shoot and kill that person and
claim it was self defense. The verdict makes me feel ashamed to be a woman, a
mother, and an American.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I find it ironic that people are so afraid of “black men”
and “black boys” in this country, and yet history and countless recent
tragedies, prove that fear to be totally unfounded. NO assassinations or
attempted assassinations of our Presidents were committed by a black man, it
was NOT a black man that slaughtered 20 innocent babies and 6 teachers in Sandy
Hook, OR shot Gabby Gifford in the head, OR gunned down people at a theater in
Colorado killing 12 and injuring 60, OR detonated pressure cooker bombs at the
Boston Marathon killing 3 and injuring 264, OR blew up a federal building in
Oklahoma City killing 168 and injuring 600. And it was NOT two black teenage
boys that took semi-automatic weapons to Columbine H.S. to gun down schoolmates
killing 12 students, 1 teacher and injuring 24 others. No, these were all
“white” men. In reality we should be much more afraid of white men.<br />
</div>
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We are not a nation of laws when those laws do NOT protect
us equally, treat us equally, try us equally or defend us equally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not a free country when we are
imprisoned by bigotry, fear and hate. And we cannot call ourselves Christians when
we perpetuate that bigotry, fear and hate with laws like “Stand Your Ground.”<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The murder of Trayvon Martin cannot be allowed to stand,
because if it does, the message we are sending is that it’s open season on
black youth in Florida… come one come all if you want to kill a black child,
Florida is the state for you, bring your handguns, chase them down, shoot them
and claim you were just “standing your ground.” A “bad law” cannot go
unchallenged, and we cannot accept the verdict from a jury given instructions
by the judge based solely on the “Stand Your Ground” Law.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We cannot rest until the “Stand Your Ground” laws are
abolished in every state where they have been passed… Trayvon Martin deserves
no less …<br />
</div>
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Most Respectfully,<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-18978175050704592452013-03-20T17:06:00.000-07:002013-03-20T17:06:53.687-07:00Letter #165... Dear Mr. President... That Dog is a Democrat
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
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<br /></div>
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A friend passed this along from his conservative daughter,
and I thought it was interesting enough to reply to my friend that his daughter
was indeed a lucky woman. Perhaps this is something Congress can agree on, even
though each is seen from a different perspective.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It just hit me!</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My dog sleeps about 20 hours a day. He
has his food prepared for him. He can eat whenever he wants, 24/7/365. His
meals are provided at no cost to him.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He visits the doctor once a year for
his checkup, and again during the year if any medical needs may arise. For this
he pays nothing, and nothing is required of him.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He lives in a nice neighborhood in a house
that is much larger than he needs, but he is not required to do any upkeep. If
he makes a mess, someone else cleans it up.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He has his choice of luxurious places to
sleep. He receives these accommodations absolutely free. He is living like
a king, and has absolutely no expenses whatsoever.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All of his costs are picked up by others who
go out and earn a living every day.</i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I was just thinking about all this, and
suddenly it hit me like a brick in the head,</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My dog is a Democrat!</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">My answer to this woman would be the following:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o9wzEOdrKdUtmz1uKGNhgYxCuu5fjZ5Q0WEWngiqCVghqC9E7EFnU98ERlUhqbjnLxrtVlKnMfCPNPiJVSt78aYVP981iDcTdng1WXKEvokG6gjcauEA0K5GsYuciaqW8_ke7OkO3jQe/s1600/koa+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5o9wzEOdrKdUtmz1uKGNhgYxCuu5fjZ5Q0WEWngiqCVghqC9E7EFnU98ERlUhqbjnLxrtVlKnMfCPNPiJVSt78aYVP981iDcTdng1WXKEvokG6gjcauEA0K5GsYuciaqW8_ke7OkO3jQe/s320/koa+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I give you everything that's in me... unconditionally"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">First, that dog gives you his unconditional love without you even
needing to ask. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">That dog discourages those who would invade your private domain,
and that dog provides an early warning system so that you can either get your
gun to protect your precious family, or call for for help. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">That dog provides you with 100% loyalty and devotion (a lot more
than most husbands), and is always home to greet you after a long or difficult
day. That dog listens to every word you say without any preconceived ideas of
his own, and without interrupting. That dog provides comfort when you are sad,
and celebrates with wonderfully wacky antics and tail wagging when you are
happy. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">That dog will remain by your side in sickness and in health, no
matter what (again, more than some husbands). And that dog would probably lay
down his life for the person that provides his basic needs... food, housing,
and healthcare... and love, and the fact that you provide a little extra gravy with those
basic needs is to your credit, for which that dog is eternally grateful. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">And if by chance that dog happens to make a mess,
perhaps it was because he was left alone too long and didn’t have a choice. On those rare occasions he feels ashamed, but he doesn’t judge you for leaving him too long, he doesn’t get
angry, and he doesn’t complain, even if he’s punished. He tells you that he’s
sorry with is sad eyes and his limp tale, and begs you for forgiveness. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">While some people are not able to place a great deal of value on
these wonderful attributes, some of us know they have infinite value, much more
than any dollar amount you can attach. And did I mention that your dog would
suffer and grieve terribly if he lost you due to an untimely death… and not
because that dog was afraid he’d lose his meal ticket, his luxurious home, or even
his own health… but simply because he loves you, more than he loves himself. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">And lastly, you should count the lucky stars that you’re seeing
after being hit in the head by that brick because… </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">‘That wonderful Dog is a Democrat, and he’ll be right by your side until
you regain your senses.’ </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">So Mr. President, give Beau a big hug <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and a kiss, because I know he’s a Democrat too.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Most respectfully,</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Marcia Reimers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Your Gadfly Granny</span></div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-38239597840184729342013-02-08T15:50:00.002-08:002013-02-08T15:50:40.975-08:00Letter #164... Dear Mr. President...Committed to FIX not fight...
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been a while since my last letter, I asked that you do
something about gun violence and other pressing problems facing this country,
and you did, but you can’t do all of it alone… you need cooperation from
members of Congress and Senators. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-53KyqQrJZqmwHTSgk793-Jg3C_EQGAyXAqVsyGPRbzvwnUDovspoCA_4CObsFqmMxAC_xbIkQY177dqWnMIfxgGTo_457FP5nORpXldegJ5ozYVurwXmmyVaIwtfbv7lP00lTaPuVWoZ/s1600/Problem+solvers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-53KyqQrJZqmwHTSgk793-Jg3C_EQGAyXAqVsyGPRbzvwnUDovspoCA_4CObsFqmMxAC_xbIkQY177dqWnMIfxgGTo_457FP5nORpXldegJ5ozYVurwXmmyVaIwtfbv7lP00lTaPuVWoZ/s320/Problem+solvers.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "First Forty" Problem Solvers</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
So I have a favor to ask of you. Somewhere in your State of
the Union address on February 12<sup>th</sup>, I’d like you to publicly
acknowledge the 40 lawmakers that have pledged to find bipartisan fixes to our
nations problems. You will be able to recognize them by the orange buttons they
will be wearing under their congressional lapel pins, identifying themselves as
“Problem Solvers”… displaying their pledge… “Committed to fix not fight.” </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 23 Democrats and 17 Republicans want everyone to know
that they have signed a pledge to try to end hyper-partisanship and reach
across the aisle to solve the myriad of problems facing the people and the
country. These men and women know that the only way to solve these problems is
through cooperation. We can no longer afford to waste time and energy by
clinging to separate ideologies that pander to the radical fringe on either end
of the political spectrum. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Today, on Facebook, I posted a list of the 40 “Problem
Solvers” and asked my friends that if their representative was not on the list,
they should ask them why. Ask them why they are not willing to work to solve,
this nations problems. Ask them why they are not committed to fixing things. I
think those are fair questions, and I think you should be asking those
questions during your State of the Union speech. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m proud to say that my new Congressman, Dr. Ami Bera, is
part of this historic group. We worked very hard to get him elected replacing
obstructionist Republican, Dan Lungren, and Dr. Bera promised that he would
work just as hard to get things done. We are all sick and tired of political
gridlock… we need to move this country forward. This ‘fabulous forty’ group of
‘problem solvers’ also scored a victory when Congress passed, and you signed
the “No Budget No Pay Act. Great start… maybe it will inspire others to sign up
to be problem solvers as well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said he would proudly
wear his Problem Solvers lapel pin. “It says that we are willing to sit down
and put the good of the country and the good of the people ahead of the good of
our party, our party affiliation or our political well-being. We were sent here
to do a job, and it wasn’t just to make sure that we stay here.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I look forward to hearing your speech on the 12<sup>th</sup>,
and I will be enjoying it while visiting the beautiful island of Maui… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-42901072416855480682013-01-07T10:04:00.001-08:002013-01-07T10:04:23.862-08:00Letter #163... Dear Mr. President... The Whole World is Watching
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
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<br /></div>
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The whole world will be watching… they will be watching to
see what you do about common sense gun control, they will be watching to see
what you do when the NRA tries to say you’re trying to circumvent the 2<sup>nd</sup>
amendment, and they will be watching to see if you have the real strength of
leadership to buck the GOP.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJyzUh-2_zZUT0A6RcyQLrFbs0q8W6wxO-XyccoYgQtizuSuWx6xUNeZZOYAAt9q6l6_XO0fobR1CGrO4GO1xmqxq2SBj7F-fafdocEPnE6npqW6cpucBrOC_p6rTwf9iK5Ly0IurH1DU/s1600/58595_4322172535768_92569597_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJyzUh-2_zZUT0A6RcyQLrFbs0q8W6wxO-XyccoYgQtizuSuWx6xUNeZZOYAAt9q6l6_XO0fobR1CGrO4GO1xmqxq2SBj7F-fafdocEPnE6npqW6cpucBrOC_p6rTwf9iK5Ly0IurH1DU/s320/58595_4322172535768_92569597_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purpose of Assault Weapons... to KILL people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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People say everything happens for a reason, but I don’t
believe that… some things defy reason, and are beyond reason, like the
senseless slaughter of 20 innocent babies and 6 innocent adults. Like the
shooting in the head of an innocent girl in Afghanistan for wanting an
education for herself and other girls, and like the brutal rape of a young
woman in India… yes, Mr. President, some things are beyond reason. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Reason is something you can calculate, something that is
justified, like you are our President because more people voted for you than
Mitt Romney… that’s the reason. Or, more people are murdered in this country
because we have more guns than any other country… that’s the reason. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s not because our people are angrier, or more evil than
people in other countries, because that’s just not the case, we are a caring,
loving, compassionate people (for the most part), we give more aid after
disasters anywhere in the world, than any other country, and when disaster
strikes here at home, people come out of the woodwork to help and pull
together. Even people with very little money of their own, often donate what
they can, when people are hurt or suffering. </div>
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<br /></div>
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So the problem in this country is not the people, it’s the
guns. There is no “reason” or justification for ordinary citizens to own
assault weapons, the only “reason” for a person to have an assault weapon is to
KILL people. The only “reason” for a person to possess clips that carry
multiple rounds, is to KILL multiple people at the same time, and there is NO
“reason” or justification for this unless you are in the military and under
attack. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf0TvciIBz5BhaavU41D0JXTrwDsDGGfDoqiTswmFNPhVFg0l2lQ7MQ9Yx1X0Ff38aKTInJDFbN530qr39cHX-o96Gg3uPQhge4XsOA7n2JOKrxrp0txFXJYyJdENYZvLVI_kHU4M1MXX/s1600/312383_457798617601478_1752293903_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf0TvciIBz5BhaavU41D0JXTrwDsDGGfDoqiTswmFNPhVFg0l2lQ7MQ9Yx1X0Ff38aKTInJDFbN530qr39cHX-o96Gg3uPQhge4XsOA7n2JOKrxrp0txFXJYyJdENYZvLVI_kHU4M1MXX/s320/312383_457798617601478_1752293903_n.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. President, the whole world will be watching.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I’ve heard many critics that say you are just another
“corporate” politician, that you are just as beholden to the interests of big
business and Wall Street as any other politician, but I refuse to believe that.
I refuse to believe that you are unwilling, or unable to stand up to the NRA
and the manufacturers of assault weapons used for non-military reasons. I
refuse to believe that because I saw the look on your face, the tears in your
eyes, and heard the catch in your voice when you responded to the horrific slaughter
of those babies at Sandy Hook. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The whole world will be watching, and waiting to see what
kind of a leader you really are, and they will be judging you by how you handle
this issue above all others. I implore you to be the kind of a leader we need…
one that puts the lives of OUR CHILDREN above the “bogus” hue and cry over the
infringement rights of the 2<sup>nd</sup> Amendment. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The time has come… our
“children” are our “reason” to act now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Most Respectfully,</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers, </div>
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Your Gadfly Granny</div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-59959977636074855802012-11-14T10:21:00.001-08:002012-11-14T10:21:33.547-08:00Letter #162... Dear Mr. President... It's time to support the 1%
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">You may be surprised to learn that I support the 1%, even though I
am part of the 99%. The 1% that I support are the 78,000 men and women still serving
in Afghanistan, and their families still praying for their safety. I support
bringing them home much sooner than the end of 2014. Move that timeline up by
one year.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuW-XPF-7s2OQnIa3usftcpjNBJEdpfTvh4cMku_1vKP-0S4RUJUzv1E62BAWRLpr0HJUuOiSm6PxybBbketrKw-iOpyLuKpewJMoJiWY3ev5v-eSAFNY55x3aqRVdRIfDSJ-g9F05yuh7/s1600/10th+Mtn,+Div..jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuW-XPF-7s2OQnIa3usftcpjNBJEdpfTvh4cMku_1vKP-0S4RUJUzv1E62BAWRLpr0HJUuOiSm6PxybBbketrKw-iOpyLuKpewJMoJiWY3ev5v-eSAFNY55x3aqRVdRIfDSJ-g9F05yuh7/s320/10th+Mtn,+Div..jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldiers in Afghanistan... Bring Them Home Now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">When you first announced that all troops would be out of
Afghanistan by 2014, I thought, well, that's not too bad, one more year to wrap
things up seemed reasonable. Upon reflection, my thoughts are that it is not
reasonable. It's not reasonable because nothing further can be gained by
keeping our men and women there. It is counter productive to keep forces there
that are being attacked by the very people they are training to take over their
own security. The Afghans. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">What is the gain verses the cost of remaining where we are clearly
not welcome? The gains are negligible compared to the losses. The loss of
additional American lives, the loss of billions of dollars, thousands more
injured requiring extensive medical rehabilitation, and mental rehabilitation,
more marriages destroyed by long and multiple deployments, including the
Generals. And hundreds of children living with single parents, some of them
permanently due to the death of one parent. This is no longer acceptable, it
time to end<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the charade of this
terrible war. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">What are the gains, war profiteers will continue to make billions
while our young men and women who put their lives on the line, make pennies on
the dollar compared to the war profiteers. The Afghans who profit by what we
bring to their country, including millions of dollars given to corrupt Afghan
politicians. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">The election is over and the war in Afghanistan was hardly even
mentioned during the campaign, let alone actually talked about. Why are we
still committing our men and women to a war no one wants to talk about? It's
not right and we need to end this travesty sooner rather than later.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">I'm sorry Mr. President, the costs are too great, the loss of
American lives is too great, and the sacrifices of the 1% are too numerous to
justify continuing this war for another TWO years, because that's what you're
really talking about. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Harrington; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes Mr. President, it's time for you to support the 1% now, it's
time to bring our 78,000 men and women home from the longest war in our
history, they have sacrificed enough, and so have their families. It’s time to move
that timeline up by one year and it’s time to bring the 1% back to the country
they fought for… America. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-75054114550184010992012-11-07T16:14:00.003-08:002012-11-07T16:15:54.273-08:00Letter #161... Dear Mr. President...It wasn't even close... it was a Landslide!<style>
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
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<br /></div>
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This morning while I was in the shower I couldn’t help but
feel it was one of the best showers I’ve ever felt… it felt like I was washing
off four years of racism, bigotry, homophobia, birtherism, and hate… washing
away the divisiveness, ugliness, and anger that has raged through our country
for the last two years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzT01BrCOXBCX5Ks7FWPQ9aUrGsAix31JnH_tD-PtrlikIMGn3I6jgU5Ebi2buTE5sUbQ9sqCPIpw9DI30LvEM8VU6tlPFzsm5RqF5wgp16kb3-iga5KrHHq16sj4vjDhoFtSVz2m-iNb/s1600/46212_4046754610492_391631674_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzT01BrCOXBCX5Ks7FWPQ9aUrGsAix31JnH_tD-PtrlikIMGn3I6jgU5Ebi2buTE5sUbQ9sqCPIpw9DI30LvEM8VU6tlPFzsm5RqF5wgp16kb3-iga5KrHHq16sj4vjDhoFtSVz2m-iNb/s320/46212_4046754610492_391631674_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The People have spoken... again.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
As we head into this season of Thanksgiving, I’m extremely
grateful to the over 60 million people that voted to re-elect you as our 44<sup>th</sup>
President. I’m grateful that the big money of Citizens United, the Koch Bros., the
Adelson’s, the Trump’s and many like them, learned that the American people
cannot be bought and the White House is not for sale. I’m grateful that the
haters like Trump, Rove, Limbaugh, and Fox viewers learned that over 60 million
people are not buying their relentless messages of lies, cynicism and divisiveness.
I’m grateful that the 30 states that tried to impose voter ID laws and that
they too were rebuffed by the voters. I’m particularly grateful to all those
people who stood in long lines just to vote and send a clear message that those
un-American tactics will not be tolerated, and are not acceptable in this
country.</div>
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<br /></div>
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People say that this election isn’t a mandate, but it is…
it’s a mandate for women’s rights, it’s a mandate against Citizens United, it’s
a mandate for everyone paying their fair share in taxes, and that the very rich
should pay a little more. It’s a mandate that discrimination will no longer be
tolerated, and that includes a persons right to love and marry whom they
choose. The State of Wisconsin proved this with Tammy <span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Baldwin being the </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">first</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> female </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Senator</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> and
the </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">first openly gay</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> candidate ever elected.</span>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m grateful that you opened the door and emboldened so many
women by setting an example and appointing two women to the Supreme Court, one
of them being the first Latino ever appointed. I’m grateful that you will make
the next two or three appointments to the Supreme Court, ensuring the
protection of women’s rights and the ACA. I’m grateful that you are using
drones to help fight al qaeda, saving the lives of our men and women. I know it
is not a popular position, and that innocent lives are lost, many of them women
and children, and I know you do not make these decisions lightly, but that is
what a great leader and the Commander and Chief is supposed to do... make the
tough decisions that protect American lives. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My granddaughter came home from school yesterday visibly
upset, upset because only 11 people in her 4<sup>th</sup> grade class voted for
you, and she thought that you’d lose the election. Her mom assured her that
they lived in a neighborhood that was mostly Republican and that the kids would
vote like their parents, but that because we live in California, she had
nothing to worry about… you would win. I wish I could have gone to school with
her today, I wish I could see the pride on her face and the faces of the other
kids that voted for you, even though the majority of their friends didn’t. I
hope the teacher explained what a meaningful election this truly is. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In closing, I want to thank you for always taking the high
road, never stooping to the level of those detractors that have tried so hard
to delegitimize your presidency. You have truly been an inspiration to many of
us who have not always been on the same high road with you, myself included. To
push back and respond to the ugliness and rancor was easy enough to do, but not
necessarily the right thing to do, because it just added fuel to the fire… you
never did that. This country is so fortunate to have you remain as our
President, you lift us all, you lift the poor, the sick, the weak, the
disenfranchised… you in fact, lift the whole world by your example.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Congratulations Mr. President, we’re fired up and ready to
go… ready to go forward and raise this country back to its former greatness… we
can, and will, do it together. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-88946586933074976882012-10-20T19:14:00.001-07:002012-10-20T19:14:23.722-07:00Letter #160... Dear Mr. President... Romnesia & Bain Capital Voting Machines
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Mr. President,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I knew you could do it, and I knew you would do it… the
second debate was outstanding, and I’m quite sure that Gov. Romney is still
reeling from the smack-down. The one-two punch at the end, about the 47%, was
perfect, and perfectly timed, not allowing Romney a chance to defend his
indefensible remarks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since that second debate you seem to have energized and
rejuvenated yourself just as much as you’ve energized and rejuvenated millions
of your supporters. In many ways we’re a lot like dogs… a simple pat on the
head, a smile, or a good debate performance, will get our tails and our tongues
wagging.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better… you did
it again! Romnesia! The blogosphere, Twitter, Facebook, and its many threads
all across the country, are lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree, spreading
happiness throughout the land. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Romnesia is simply brilliant, and perfect for the crowd at
GMU, especially the women. I fully expect your new word to be added to the
dictionary by next year, with the definition being… Romnesia, [Rom-nee-zhuh]
Noun - a condition when a person shifts from one position to another, over and
over again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k3HFGqVi6dGS5GA-_BL_fM48HgCvLNZ9QcsbiPBYw6WRF6IjTcyfwrGomxPHMB8rbnrHAYQWM_QKS-JyCdYf_7jZA01OgU6ZE7t9Y9FrDAzYeJ4vE6988nJcfHzuJc9icn8TftJqmw6z/s1600/Milk+of+Romnesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k3HFGqVi6dGS5GA-_BL_fM48HgCvLNZ9QcsbiPBYw6WRF6IjTcyfwrGomxPHMB8rbnrHAYQWM_QKS-JyCdYf_7jZA01OgU6ZE7t9Y9FrDAzYeJ4vE6988nJcfHzuJc9icn8TftJqmw6z/s320/Milk+of+Romnesia.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cure for Diarrhea of the Mouth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now Vice President Biden is telling a crowd in Florida
that Romnesia is contagious, and Congressman Ryan has caught it as well, citing
the fact that Ryan is now giving a new explanation for cuts in the budget he
oversaw and passed in the house. Both Romney and Ryan suffer from a
‘constipation’ of ideas, and ‘diarrhea’ of the mouth… but there is a remedy for
them and it’s called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Milk of Romnesia”…</b>
when taken orally, guaranteed to work once both orifices have been sufficiently
clogged, rendering them inoperable. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Romnesia couldn’t have come at a better time, with enough
material to carry us through the election, and carrying you and Vice President
Biden, to a decisive victory. You have redeemed yourself with Chris Matthews,
and I’m quite sure that David Axelrod is giddy with all the attention this is
getting, both for the energy it brings, and the comedic value, changing a very
ugly and divisive campaign into something that is making most of us smile
broadly and laugh out loud. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, there is one more <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CRITICALLY
IMPORTANT</b> thing you need to do before the election… Make sure that there
are boots on the ground in every state, every precinct, and every polling
place, ensuring that there is no voter suppression. Nor, any corruption/manipulation
of votes with the machines from Hart Intercivic, controlled by Bain Capital
Investment. I don’t care if you have to call the National Guard to protect
these machines, because the connection between the Romney family, Bain Capital,
and ownership of these machines is anything but coincidental. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-24008580976135900702012-10-04T10:39:00.001-07:002012-10-04T10:39:40.910-07:00Letter #159... Dear Mr. President... Next hand is "All in"...
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span>Dear Mr. President,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kudos to you Mr. President, the debate last night was one of
the best-played bluffs in the history of debates. You sucked Gov. Romney into
your web like dirt up a vacuum, allowing him to repeat his lies over and over
again. Watching you was like watching the final table at a championship poker
tournament, with the chip leader giving up just enough to suck his opponent
into going all in. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5-HgBrYGmHM-39cQtmNqikle7XKDo_lPuTaKolu-ik9LhGB10-C97f5XS9jLSPjKC8SYL5CTopqCXq5xN6NAF-V3mikrMh7yK3koHKWr16ULkkuAkqs4kYeKRrWr_ud7r_fRO2kuQmRO/s1600/Dogs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5-HgBrYGmHM-39cQtmNqikle7XKDo_lPuTaKolu-ik9LhGB10-C97f5XS9jLSPjKC8SYL5CTopqCXq5xN6NAF-V3mikrMh7yK3koHKWr16ULkkuAkqs4kYeKRrWr_ud7r_fRO2kuQmRO/s1600/Dogs.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your poker face was extraordinary.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could see it was nearly killing you to keep your cool… the
‘tells’ were easy to spot, like a poker player pulling his hood up when he has
a really good hand, in hopes that the others won’t see his excitement. Your
‘tells’ were nodding in the affirmative like you were agreeing with him,
encouraging him to continue, pursing your lips at obvious lies, and appearing
to take notes that you didn’t actually use to refute his continuous lies and
misrepresentations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course all of my left leaning, dyed in the wool,
Democratic friends were imploding all over Facebook. No one could believe how
poorly you were doing, no pushback, no hitting him with your record, no
reference to the 47% video… you just let him run off at the mouth, like he
usually does. Even at the conclusion when Romney’s family all came up on stage,
you and the First Lady walked quietly offstage leaving the crowd to cheer for
Romney.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I know why you played your hand this way… 1. Get
Romney to reveal all of his talking points in the first debate. 2. Gather as
many lies and inconsistencies to use in new ads. 3. Give Romney the illusion
that he’s got you on a bad hand, so he goes all in, while you’re already
holding the straight flush. 4. Send the Vice President into his debate with
Ryan, with all the ammunition he’ll need to mop the floor with him, and 5. Get
all of Romney’s million dollar donors back in his game, committing their
dollars back to him and not the down ticket candidates.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A very dangerous strategy for anyone in politics, except you
Mr. President, because you have the brains, the facts, and the confidence to
pull it all back together in the next debate. However, the next debate has to
be ‘ALL IN’ for you, you’ve held your cards close, you’ve bluffed long enough
to give your opponent a sense of false security and confidence, now it’s time
to put him away… game over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the pundits come to their senses, they’ll realize you
threw the first hand, and very nearly overplayed it with your terrible
performance, but those of us who know just how smart you are, and what a great
chess player you are, weren’t fooled. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now it’s time to ante up and bring it home to the American
people, we deserve the gold bracelet just as much as you do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Gadfly Granny</div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-16933472586991111392012-09-10T22:59:00.001-07:002012-09-10T22:59:36.163-07:00Letter #158... Dear Mr. President... What's not on Mitts Laundry List
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span>Dear Mr. President,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is the 11th anniversary of 9/11, a time for all
Americans to reflect on that horrific day, and how it has changed all our lives
in such a profound and irrevocable way. It is a day for us to remember that as
a result of that single terrorist act, hundreds of thousands of men and women
were committed to two wars, wars that plunged this country into the deepest
recession since the Great Depression.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the illegal invasion of Iraq we’ve watched our Vets
get short changed on safe helmets and armor to protect their vehicles, putting
our troops at even greater risk. We’ve seen our war wounded come home to face
inadequate rehabilitative care and job retraining services, and our Vets are
quickly becoming one of the largest percentages of the homeless in America,
because they lack comprehensive mental health care, and adequate
job opportunities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know that you have done a great deal to turn things
around, ending the war in Iraq and establishing a date to end the war in
Afghanistan, and most notably, fulfilling your promise to eliminate the
mastermind behind the 9/11 attack, Osama bin Laden. You’ve brought closure to
thousands of victims and their families and justice for America. I also know
that the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden are working diligently to address the
problem of homelessness in our Veteran population.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMUFQPyAoh2e-0UJYpr8WTNZu9FkHPKJlaV_zgKloBfKz_0owF5tVez3E6sMffYtj8sv9Bf2FDn9sPJeEBW1KYKnf_Bd4ZUnFmPjnbbt416-n3Kd4Jqd1lE2ODorxye45PIhZcTvQTyR-/s1600/Laundry+List+Clothes+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMUFQPyAoh2e-0UJYpr8WTNZu9FkHPKJlaV_zgKloBfKz_0owF5tVez3E6sMffYtj8sv9Bf2FDn9sPJeEBW1KYKnf_Bd4ZUnFmPjnbbt416-n3Kd4Jqd1lE2ODorxye45PIhZcTvQTyR-/s320/Laundry+List+Clothes+line.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitts "Laundry List" of things that are important</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I find completely amazing is a recent statement by Gov.
Romney when asked about why he didn’t mention the troops in Afghanistan during
his speech at the Republican Convention. Here’s what Romney said, “When you
give a speech you don’t go through a laundry list, you talk about the things
you think are important.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really? What on earth can possibly be more important than
American Troops fighting in a foreign country to keep America safe from
another terrorist attack? I guess in RomneyWorld, if his five sons aren’t
serving in the military then other peoples sons aren’t important enough to
mention, even when you’re running to become not only President, but “Commander
and Chief” of the armed forces. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So not only did Romney ask for, and receive, four deferments
from serving in Vietnam, but he feels that his sons are “showing support for
our nation” by helping to get him elected. Does he really believe that is in
any way comparable to our service men and women serving in the military? What
planet does this man come from? In what parallel universe does working on a
campaign, or fighting for your country seem the same?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we look back at the tragedy of 9/11, besides the loss of
3000 innocent lives and the continued suffering of thousands of families, there
is no greater sacrifice being made today than those who served in Iraq and
those who served and continue to serve in Afghanistan, and the tens of
thousands of men and women who have died while serving in these wars.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It may be on a “laundry list” of unimportant things for Gov.
Romney, but I can assure you it has the highest priority for families in
America and the families of the coalition forces, and all caring and
compassionate Americans, and Mr. President, I know it is one of your top
priorities to bring our men and women home safely, to be reunited with their
families, to end the war, and to reaffirm your promise and commitment to peace.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-36785099659616533922012-08-14T11:46:00.000-07:002012-08-14T19:45:22.105-07:00Letter #157... Dear Mr. President... My Phone won't Ring this Year.<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Mr. President,<br />
<br />
For the last 27 years on August 14<sup>th</sup> I’ve
received a phone call from my son Jeff saying, “Thanks for the kidney mom, I
love you.” This year there will be no phone call, because Jeff passed away on April 7<sup>th</sup> of this year from Pancreatic/Liver Cancer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I have to tell you, as much as I miss Jeff, I am
eternally grateful for the ‘extra’ 27 years I had with him, because in 1984 I
had a good job with a fortune five hundred company that provided excellent
health care benefits. Those benefits paid for not only Jeff’s transplant costs,
but mine as well, even though my kidney donation was elective. I doubt we would
be so fortunate in 2012. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNVjOB0kk-4xjU5WjcZdSqX1taqjIJ2NThbtfr6swCfjs8dPsqVxd6X939pILskQwyaha5R0MIsmd6u2svmAYmT06xgkO6bWS0-og7UXv4892dlFNBojtpsevX6-13rUKT9iBqdAhJMAl/s1600/Maui-05+149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNVjOB0kk-4xjU5WjcZdSqX1taqjIJ2NThbtfr6swCfjs8dPsqVxd6X939pILskQwyaha5R0MIsmd6u2svmAYmT06xgkO6bWS0-og7UXv4892dlFNBojtpsevX6-13rUKT9iBqdAhJMAl/s320/Maui-05+149.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff with Itchy and Scratchy in Pahoa, Hawaii</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, the phone won’t ring this year, and I’ll never hear his
happy voice again, but I have 27 years of wonderful memories to count and savor
whenever I think of him. I have photos to remind me of the sweet man he turned
into, his love of family, animals, and his music. He wasn’t perfect by any
means, but he had a good heart, and was loved by all who knew him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeff was a champion of the underdog, often taking in a
homeless person, or planning a benefit to feed needy families. The last gig he
planned was to benefit “Food for Families” in Pahoa, Hawaii, where he lived.
Unfortunately he was unable to play his drums in that gig because his cancer
was too advanced, and he had to move home with us before the event. His band
mates sent photos and a CD, so he could see that his last gig was a success
even though he wasn’t there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although this will be a quiet day, it is not a sad day,
because time can never erase those 27 years of memories. Others have not been
so fortunate, many people die every year because they don’t have the kind of
insurance that would allow them receive a lifesaving transplant like Jeff got. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want you to know Mr. President, that you and Vice President
Biden, and the Democratic Party are all that stand between Americans being able
to afford the type of health care Jeff and I had back in 1984, and the
Republican Party that seeks to destroy and dismantle that health care for all
but the very wealthy. You must stop the GOP’s radical agenda that will decimate
the middle class and this country.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You simply must prevail in November, lives depend on you
winning a second term, ensuring the continuation of the Affordable Care Act,
strengthening Medicare and Medicaid, and protecting Social Security, as we know
it. You must make the case to the American people, that continuing to appease
the top 2% will bankrupt America.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So instead of receiving a phone call this year, I’d like to
make a phone call to you Mr. President, saying “Thank you for protecting our
health care, Medicare, Social Security, and our Country.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>
Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-64722180849772048902012-07-23T21:18:00.000-07:002012-07-23T21:18:23.514-07:00Letter #156... Dear Mr. President... A 'Yellow Book' for your Birthday.<style>
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I need my own ‘yellow book’ and at this point I think you
could use one too. In fact the whole world needs a ‘yellow book’. So right
about now you’re probably thinking what the heck is a ‘yellow book’?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I explain, let me say that I think you’ve had just
about enough of my letters. Sometimes I harangue, cajole, implore, beg,
encourage, and yes, sometimes criticize something that you’ve done or failed to
do, or something I’d like you to do. I post my letters on my blog at Washboardexpress.com,
and then on Facebook, where I’m <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘friends’ of numerous groups and hundreds of people. I often
get comments from people agreeing with me, and occasionally those that don’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each day I read volumes of political sites with endless
opinions, some of which I respond to with vigor and enthusiasm, my mighty pen is
my sword. But I’m tired. Tired of the discourse, tired of the senseless acts of
violence like the massacre in Colorado, tired of people in politics being too
afraid to speak the truth about the need for gun control, tired of feeling
disgusted that Clinton’s assault weapon ban was allowed to expire. I’m tired of
the assault on women’s reproductive rights, and mindless drones that are
incapable of thinking for themselves. I’m just plain tired of everything. I simply
cannot sustain the fire in the belly that I’ve had for four years… After my son
died on April 7<sup>th</sup>, and I lost that piece of myself, so many of the
things I thought to be important, aren’t. Right now I think it’s time for me to
let it go, to stop fighting my invisible war, and find my own ‘yellow book’.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NKcctryip8emAue5ccQtQ76YH41n_RGiIINFT45cy2L3RsI-JOo2nBzA6NuJpk8rXwLW70dQPvJKerkHEZ7i6MYMUVCaFkCuJ9Dh2lRBqMzUwkCTD7O_hxwWeoYu7c1_OaqoOW-g3CvQ/s1600/Gwens+YP%27s2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NKcctryip8emAue5ccQtQ76YH41n_RGiIINFT45cy2L3RsI-JOo2nBzA6NuJpk8rXwLW70dQPvJKerkHEZ7i6MYMUVCaFkCuJ9Dh2lRBqMzUwkCTD7O_hxwWeoYu7c1_OaqoOW-g3CvQ/s200/Gwens+YP%27s2.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asleep with her 'Yellow Book'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My daughter and her family are renting a place in Lake Tahoe
this week for their vacation. They left last Friday, July 20<sup>th</sup>, on my
granddaughter Gwendolyn’s 4<sup>th</sup> Birthday. That’s the day she found it…
she found the ‘yellow book’, after carrying it around for quite some time, she
wanted to take it to bed. My daughter asked her why she liked the ‘yellow
book’, but she didn’t know why, she just did. Something about it gave her
comfort, something about it made smile and made her happy, but only being four,
she didn’t know how to express it, she just knew she liked it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ‘yellow book’ doesn’t have any stories in it, and not
the kind of pictures that a small girl would be interested in… in fact most of
us would have never given it a second look. Most of us have given up on our
‘yellow books’… we have, after all, we have Google and Yahoo, and any number of
apps on our phones that can provide whatever information we want or need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you’ve probably guessed by now Mr. President… The ‘yellow
book’ as Gwendolyn calls it, is actually the South Lake Tahoe Yellow Pages. The
fact that something so uninteresting, so inconsequential, and so mundane to the
rest of us, actually brought her joy… is a gift to the rest of us. That’s
what’s missing in our lives… the pure joy of everyday things, little things,
silly things, even stupid things. Something to embrace, to bring a smile to our
faces, something to take our minds off of the myriad of things we cannot change
and cannot control… and something to take to bed in hopes of sweet dreams and
better days ahead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not often that we can learn something so vital from a
four year old, but then again, when you look around and really ‘see’ things,
the very best things are all around us every day… a smile, a wagging tail, a
door held opened, the sound of giggles from the other room, the hand you hold
tight, and the kiss good night. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFikZRa2OGxjpaKx6rlMFoXm7yy8IpIkB1lI6NXWqoeGy8yjFAt2xqSOynAJ6rfZ838eHMciooiHlk39msKNAuk4Zt3k0UTZ9NjNx8lWyRNVT57qvV2OrmBqVMXuicVLN3BzUVgznVa0N/s1600/Gwen's+YP%27s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFikZRa2OGxjpaKx6rlMFoXm7yy8IpIkB1lI6NXWqoeGy8yjFAt2xqSOynAJ6rfZ838eHMciooiHlk39msKNAuk4Zt3k0UTZ9NjNx8lWyRNVT57qvV2OrmBqVMXuicVLN3BzUVgznVa0N/s200/Gwen's+YP%27s.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happiness is a 'Yellow Book'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those are the things that keep us going, those are the
things that bring us joy, and those are the things that matter most. Those are
the things that my sweet granddaughter taught me when she embraced the ‘yellow
book’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll write occasionally and continue to support you in any
way I can, but this old Granny is done trying to convince the rest of the world
what I have always known… you’re a good man, a good President, and this country
is lucky to have you on the side of ordinary people like me, and for that I’m
immensely grateful. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since your birthday is almost here, my heartfelt wish for
you on your 51<sup>st</sup> birthday is that you have the opportunity to find
your own ‘yellow book’… and that it brings the same sense of joy and happiness
that it brought to my sweet Gwendolyn on her 4<sup>th</sup> birthday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-74270988608617985002012-06-29T15:59:00.000-07:002012-06-29T15:59:10.417-07:00Letter #155... Dear Mr. President... Let them Cry, this is a Win for All Americans<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Dear Mr. President,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Congratulations, you deserve a huge ‘THANK YOU’ from the American people, including those that do not understand just what the Affordable Care Act does for them. You know, and I know, that this is just the first step towards a single payer plan, but it’s a very big and important step. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyllrUU7zv9no7ceeOw3dumE5zGOyQ2n31xKzp8cqm3aKh8VXP93stCkYi-zaXHM2GGdFZdIoc0gfC6eLdo0b4OglEdUCShmBRPCvjkdumOoWQ7b0sGogVFIuPEtINWMp8HpB189HMWEZa/s1600/cryface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyllrUU7zv9no7ceeOw3dumE5zGOyQ2n31xKzp8cqm3aKh8VXP93stCkYi-zaXHM2GGdFZdIoc0gfC6eLdo0b4OglEdUCShmBRPCvjkdumOoWQ7b0sGogVFIuPEtINWMp8HpB189HMWEZa/s320/cryface.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This isn't your Party, but you can Cry if you want too. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I listened to your speech after the Supreme Court upheld all of the provisions of the ACA, and you did a terrific job of explaining just what it means for ordinary Americans. I also saw the list of benefits posted on the White House web site. My one suggestion would be to add just what is in effect now, and with each check point the date it was implemented or will be implemented, and then publish the heck out of it… the general public is a little slow on the uptake and sometimes they need to be hit between the eyes with a two-by-four before it finally sinks in. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnIRxZ2y_KdVAoKkxgkQ2KSgJMWQVo3S7q7qX4kS0OeDIbTHis-x6bj9nYPWrHdLy1or8MiLGxfXYh2OpNquJt8LO5z8_ACfdd-EjdVek7a7wnuTZ3Hn3Wz6fYo3YlWuF5JiFG5kKN5PS/s1600/hcr_check_list_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnIRxZ2y_KdVAoKkxgkQ2KSgJMWQVo3S7q7qX4kS0OeDIbTHis-x6bj9nYPWrHdLy1or8MiLGxfXYh2OpNquJt8LO5z8_ACfdd-EjdVek7a7wnuTZ3Hn3Wz6fYo3YlWuF5JiFG5kKN5PS/s320/hcr_check_list_final.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check it Out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">It’s a message that every single Democrat should carry to every corner, and nook and cranny of this country, along with their own two-by-four. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a message that you need to drive home at each and every opportunity, including how much of it is like RomneyCare, and just how successful RomneyCare is in Massachusetts. Just keep hanging both RomneyCare and ObamaCare around Mitts neck like a gold medal from the Olympics, and watch him squirm because he can’t trash what he started in his home state without looking like a complete fool. Extol the virtues of his plan and tell the American people that just like Massachusetts, very soon at least 98% of adults and nearly 100% of the children in this country will be covered. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks again Mr. President, for fighting to provide all American’s with affordable health care… for the first time in a long time SCOTUS did the right thing in upholding the provisions of this vital piece of legislation. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Keep on fighting for us Mr. President, we need you on our side for another four years… for some of us, our very lives depend on it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most Respectfully,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Marcia Reimers,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Your Gadfly Granny</div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-86375084564224131782012-06-20T19:40:00.001-07:002012-06-20T19:40:43.949-07:00Washboard Express: Letter #154... Dear Mr. President... Why Would You Share Ignorance?<a href="http://washboardexpress.blogspot.com/2012/06/letter-154-dear-mr-president-why-would.html">Washboard Express: Letter #154... Dear Mr. President... Why Would You Share Ignorance?</a>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-76076839048579005492012-06-20T15:31:00.000-07:002012-06-20T15:58:38.413-07:00Letter #154... Dear Mr. President... Why Would You Share Ignorance?<style>
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Dear Mr. President,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQC11iDuPEJKSQK6kgpR5z0XXuULELGZJwBqjk8En4MJyGoKGtkfnZgT02LMwhOe3gEPQdke2CjwTW2IHxxhgJvbzzpCtTopsbdi52HF4kMJ9Ui62arIN5YpBGzXsbAlpY2eRQKpZyca4/s1600/us-ostrich-head-in-sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQC11iDuPEJKSQK6kgpR5z0XXuULELGZJwBqjk8En4MJyGoKGtkfnZgT02LMwhOe3gEPQdke2CjwTW2IHxxhgJvbzzpCtTopsbdi52HF4kMJ9Ui62arIN5YpBGzXsbAlpY2eRQKpZyca4/s1600/us-ostrich-head-in-sand.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What’s wrong with people these days, why don’t they want to hear the truth anymore? Why, when confronted with actual facts, do they insist that ‘someone’ made up the facts? Why is this mentality so widespread, and when are we going to take our heads out of the sand? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a friend that I went to high school with that recently posted a reply to one of her friends, that she shares things on Facebook as long as they’re not political, because she gets so many that she doesn’t look at any of them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact Mr. President, that’s not quite true… she shared a post that I believe was very pointed and political, and here is the post verbatim, typos and all. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“SO LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT… If you cross the North Korean border illegally, you get 12 years hard labor. If you cross the Afghanistan border illegally, you get shot. Two Americans just got eight years for crossing the Iranian border. If you cross the U.S. border illegaly, you get a job, a driver’s license, food stamps, a place to live, health care, housing, child benefits, education, and a tax free business for 7 years? No wonder we’re a country in debt. LIKE AND SHARE IF YOU AGREE!!!!”</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The person she got it from had 5 likes and 1,106 shares, and she had 6 likes and 42 shares. My response was: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“So let me get this straight… if only 6 people liked it, why did 42 people share it. Why would you share something you don’t like?”</i> One can only imagine how many others ‘shared’ it as well. I can only hope that this was only meant as political hyperbole, used to evoke strong feelings or to create a strong impression, but is not meant to be taken literally, but that would assume that all those people that saw fit to share it, actually knew it to be factually incorrect. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does anyone ever question these outrageous claims? Illegal immigrants are never guaranteed a job; in fact, they’re often exploited and work for much less than others get for the same work because they are afraid to complain. If getting a drivers license was so easy, why are there so many driving without a license and insurance? Most would never apply for food stamps, or child benefits because the risk of being deported is too great. Health care is sought only under extreme conditions, and then it can only be provided through emergency care at a hospital. Yes, their children can, and do go to our public schools, but a tax-free business for 7 years, is just ludicrous.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRig5__qpxggyUbt9PJSh6-2qL1fI5Ig6NP15L9JFBqWnPfuOZkTS_arE9OggwvaDT5VNaYanXfTut3GDPfwl7ogVBK4givhi_tyrNExwutIf0vyxR-2XhwvbIBFybMLs9jkqsC-5RpPJS/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRig5__qpxggyUbt9PJSh6-2qL1fI5Ig6NP15L9JFBqWnPfuOZkTS_arE9OggwvaDT5VNaYanXfTut3GDPfwl7ogVBK4givhi_tyrNExwutIf0vyxR-2XhwvbIBFybMLs9jkqsC-5RpPJS/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Ostriches aren't this stupid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The frustrating part of this is that you can’t even talk to these people, they don’t want to hear it, but I suppose it’s like the quote from Thomas Paine – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Attempting to debate with a person who has abandoned reason is like giving medicine to the dead.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When are the American people going to take their collective heads out of the sand and start thinking for themselves?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-69722641790974354312012-06-18T14:55:00.000-07:002012-06-18T14:58:43.856-07:00Letter #153... Dear Mr. President... The 4 N's of the Repocalypse Party<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Mr. President:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The American people have had enough of the 4 N’s of the Repocalypse Party, and that is why you should continue with your message of ‘Hope and Change’ from the campaign leading up to the ’08 election… The Republican Party’s Henny Penny mentality of “the sky is falling” is getting old and people are sick and tired of living in fear of everything and everyone. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all remember the phrase penned in the 1970’s by William Safire, for Spiro T. Agnew because of his particularly acrimonious relationship with the press … the Nattering Nabobs of Negativity. Then again in 2009, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>John W. Dean</u></i> wrote an eye opening piece titled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>The New Nattering Nabobs of Negativism Are Gunning for Obama’s Judicial Nominees: A Republican Strategy That We Must All Hope Fails</u></i> <a href="http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20090417.html">http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20090417.html</a> - outlining the blatant attack to block all of your nominees to the Federal Courts. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKchJVgvR6AF2rKYriK2o7-r7LNTJD3SsoyrgakjVTgoa24VYPBTHaeq4bc-52jeDd_TN4UWGJzJ-X5CjSqz32-HSQSSr8JaYcnelHv83XDdBmhe_UFp8j5N95lV5Sac46P5NcFc35FWT/s1600/Apocalypse.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKchJVgvR6AF2rKYriK2o7-r7LNTJD3SsoyrgakjVTgoa24VYPBTHaeq4bc-52jeDd_TN4UWGJzJ-X5CjSqz32-HSQSSr8JaYcnelHv83XDdBmhe_UFp8j5N95lV5Sac46P5NcFc35FWT/s320/Apocalypse.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Repocalypse Party's vision for America</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 4 N’s for the Repocalypse Party, and in particular, Mitt Romney, stand for Nattering Narcissistic Nabobs of Negativity. The way he prattles (nattering) on about nothing, or when he’s talking about how ‘he’ saved the auto industry, or how you actually used ‘his’ ideas for kick starting the economy (narcissist), or making $10,000 bets, or talking about his Cadillacs, his companies, and his wealth (nabob), or his attacks on Social Security, Medicare, Education, public funds for infrastructure, and a myriad of other programs that benefit ordinary people (negativity)… Romney epitomizes the entire Repocalypse Party.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Repocalypse Party believes that the only way to save this country is to reject any, and all of your ideas, and programs that would actually move this country forward. How can they be so against you that would they would sacrifice the American people, and the entire economy just to regain the White House? I realize that’s a rhetorical question because we all know that they only care about themselves and the ‘1%’. That entire concept is about as ‘negative, as you can get… because it’s ‘against’ everything. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So you keep doing what you do best Mr. President… inspire people, encourage people, and protect the programs that are safety nets for ordinary people. And, continue to speak up for programs that put people to work, that protect personal freedoms, and that ensure that everyone pays their fair share… including the 1%.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s what we want to hear, that’s what we need to know… a ‘positive’ plan for moving the country forward… we’ve had enough of the “4 N’s of the Repocalypse's”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marcia Reimers,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-50261583209717429252012-06-16T15:17:00.000-07:002012-06-16T15:17:55.470-07:00Letter #152... Dear Mr. President... Show the Bums the Door!<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Dear Mr. President,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First let me wish you a very happy Father’s Day… one only needs to watch you with Sasha and Malia to know that you are an excellent father, because you can see it in their faces when they are with you… so Happy Father’s Day, Mr. President.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next I would like to respond to the incident when The Daily Caller’s reporter, Neil Munro, interrupted your formal announcement on immigration, and I have a suggestion that I think should be implemented for future Presidential statements, and that includes when you address a joint session of Congress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To say that Munro was rude is a gross understatement… he should have been escorted by a Secret Service agent, out of the Rose Garden immediately. The fact that the site’s editor in chief, Tucker Carlson, said he was proud of Munro goes beyond the pale of civility and proper decorum for reporters, and I don’t care which party they are affiliated with. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XQOZTUOP-hnljTBy6E-CZyw_RwQ_kfjVrK9IKE_vKjPyYwC-mZE_Huk-pwuCKoRX55IGRWcEU_4wjvj4TjsyMClyE76u4rcZ9A3A1tPVoPYoBKl1yA14SPWWaZwoccQYrEFvXQTk0v_h/s1600/Munro.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XQOZTUOP-hnljTBy6E-CZyw_RwQ_kfjVrK9IKE_vKjPyYwC-mZE_Huk-pwuCKoRX55IGRWcEU_4wjvj4TjsyMClyE76u4rcZ9A3A1tPVoPYoBKl1yA14SPWWaZwoccQYrEFvXQTk0v_h/s1600/Munro.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Policy...Have Secret Service eject him immediately!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">And then for The Daily Caller to tweet, “We are very proud of, @NeilMunroDC for doing his job,” is appalling. His ‘job’ was to listen, and gather information, and if… and only if… it was appropriate, could he hope to be recognized by the President and then ask his question. The excuse we heard that it was a misunderstanding is both pathetic and lame… he knew exactly what he was doing. If he was doing his job he would have had his recorder out, or a notepad to take some notes, not standing there with his hands in his pockets like he was waiting to take his turn at golf. There was no excuse, and there was no reason for his blatant disrespect and rude behavior. If it truly was a mistake, he would have apologized on the spot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As much as I detested G.W. Bush with every fiber of my soul, I could not condone someone from another country throwing shoes at him. I understand why the guy was so upset, but there is no excuse to show that level of blatant disrespect for any President or Head of State from any country. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So my suggestion is this: Send out a memo to ALL news media, that when the President is addressing Congress, conducting a press conference, or making a formal statement, interruptions will not be tolerated, and the person, or persons, will be immediately escorted from the event. And further, the agency or media organization they represent will not be invited back, unless and until, the White House receives a formal apology, and the apology is printed and broadcast for the public. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The incivility and blatant disrespect we are witnessing these days has got to stop. You, and the office of the President, deserve better… and by the way, you did the right thing in protecting the innocent children of illegal immigrants.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most Respectfully, </div><div class="MsoNormal">Marcia Reimers, Your Gadfly Granny </div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-9936956171248806822012-06-06T15:31:00.000-07:002012-06-06T15:31:18.689-07:00Letter #151... Dear Mr. President... You Dropped the Ball in Wisconsin<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Dear Mr. President:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We may not be elephants but many of us have long memories… yours truly included.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We remember back to 2000 when all eyes were on Florida’s recount, before the Un-Supreme Court selected Bush over Gore. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We remember back to 2004 when all eyes were on Ohio when the sudden shift in votes for Bush gave him an unexpected, and still unexplained, victory. This was confirmed in a deposition given by the late Michael Connell, the IT guru for Bush and Rove, and the creator of the controversial system that transferred Ohio’s vote count on election night to a partisan Republican server site owned by SmarTech, a firm that had the capability of easily changing the outcome of the election. In fact the entire system was set up and designed for voter fraud. After giving that deposition, Connell died in a suspicious plane crash just a month and a half later.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX7lOwyQweyLUqt3nnw5w4Ex0nMTEuZKscQV4YihUBVrOjkhlmT6ry1i2z2Z_nJt6Xlot6cVDZRsH5yfP-LJpVTrWZdxg1YIs4s2jYtQ6Z11rz4dfuHhhxlWhkBEYO-lQY5gmfDseLX5N/s1600/basketball.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX7lOwyQweyLUqt3nnw5w4Ex0nMTEuZKscQV4YihUBVrOjkhlmT6ry1i2z2Z_nJt6Xlot6cVDZRsH5yfP-LJpVTrWZdxg1YIs4s2jYtQ6Z11rz4dfuHhhxlWhkBEYO-lQY5gmfDseLX5N/s1600/basketball.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You dropped the ball and missed the point</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We remember in 2008 when McConnell, Boehner, and Cantor vowed to make sure you were a one term President, and in 2010 the Democrats took their eye off the ball and we got the radical right TeaPublicans that have managed to put a strangle hold on your ability to move this country forward. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now in 2012 when all eyes were on Wisconsin and the stakes were enormous, you, and the DNC dropped the ball by not going all out for Barrett. To say that this fight was for the people of Wisconsin to win without interference was just plain absurd. Clearly the “outside” money that poured into the Walker coffers came from outside of Wisconsin… how is that not interference? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The naiveté of even imagining that the Koch Bros, Carl Rove, et al, would not pull out all stops to make sure Walker remained as Governor is astounding. The last minute cash the DNC gave was pathetic, as was the short video put out telling the people of Wisconsin that you supported them. You may have supported them, but you most certainly didn’t have their back. You failed in your leadership of the Democratic Party, when you failed to respond to the desperate need of the WI Democrats. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The problem with the Democrats is they get upset with people like me for speaking up and saying what’s on the minds of most of us, but failing miserably to hold you and the DNC at least partially responsible for the loss in Wisconsin. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have been a strong and outspoken supporter of yours since you were elected, I have donated countless small donations to your campaign and written countless letters… and why, so you can turn your back on the Democrats in Wisconsin? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just remember Mr. President, if you lose in November it could be because you dropped the ball, and because what was at stake there was not just about Wisconsin politics… it was about big money buying elections, and you should have done more to stop it from happening…. That’s what a leader does. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Most Respectfully, </div><div class="MsoNormal">Marcia Reimers, </div><div class="MsoNormal">Your Gadfly Granny</div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-57946265535466267812012-06-04T16:37:00.000-07:002012-06-05T12:49:05.841-07:00Letter #150... Dear Mr. President... Please Don't Forget about Kelly.<style>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Dear Mr. President:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We cannot save our way to prosperity, and we cannot to cut programs and services and create jobs at the same time. We need to create instead of cut, and grow instead of shrink. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXTOWac17HDTLCM-iUwsZzUFlwwut-txgUItg10KvCFp5xHmP_QzXp9zTwrmL96DgwwdIiyu72dxo_e4TmezWSwViUsXUne5zuVUas9XAsWQLA7YMzbpLbwXEC5_GoWXyT4ODyfNPSCz_/s1600/Where+are+the+Jobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXTOWac17HDTLCM-iUwsZzUFlwwut-txgUItg10KvCFp5xHmP_QzXp9zTwrmL96DgwwdIiyu72dxo_e4TmezWSwViUsXUne5zuVUas9XAsWQLA7YMzbpLbwXEC5_GoWXyT4ODyfNPSCz_/s320/Where+are+the+Jobs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where are the Republican "Job Creators"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The conversation you need to have with the American people is about jobs, jobs, and more jobs… when people have jobs the economy will change. But, as long as the Republicans can force you into talking about ridiculous things like gay marriage, abortion, women’s reproductive choices, or whether or not you intend to take away their gun rights, the more likely they are to win in November. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For President Clinton, it was “the economy stupid” and for you Mr. President, it is “jobs, jobs, and more jobs.” The economy will rebound when people have jobs that pay a living wage. Those 15 million people without jobs are not sitting around waiting to be saved by their government… they want to work. Many of those people are college graduates that have been out of work for several years and have long since exhausted all benefits, and are faced with employers that advertise the “unemployed need not apply.” What are these people to do?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO_FK5diKzPW8vaAyqK_xIp7z5cgGXRWskm0-qjbwsHmEFNy6NCZ7NbyvsoIW9jN6XcFl5cRg5Kowu5uHVwEA1UuQASjbm9vNWYD9inCW_BRAtFbHT6W3kUP4OQvF422DD_DzqLnnsjpM/s1600/Kelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO_FK5diKzPW8vaAyqK_xIp7z5cgGXRWskm0-qjbwsHmEFNy6NCZ7NbyvsoIW9jN6XcFl5cRg5Kowu5uHVwEA1UuQASjbm9vNWYD9inCW_BRAtFbHT6W3kUP4OQvF422DD_DzqLnnsjpM/s1600/Kelly.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In a recent online discussion with a woman named Kelly, who’s been out of work for 3 years, and was saying how difficult it is to find the silver lining when bad news on the jobs front just keep getting worse. The weak jobs report not only had an adverse effect on the market, but also people like Kelly. She wrote that she is scared to death that she will NEVER be able to find a job again – nothing more than a temporary, part time and low wage job. Kelly agrees that we MUST throw the GOP bums out of Congress, but she can’t pretend like everything is fine because it’s getting increasingly worse… her ability to look for work, to buy food, shampoo, toothpaste, and prescriptions… and she lays the blame right on the back of House Republicans – and the corporate CEO’s who keep outsourcing our jobs. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Kelly is not without hope, she has goals and dreams that she is actively pursuing, thanks in part to the fellowship training program through the Center for Progressive Leadership – about starting a non-profit to help people like her. Kelly says, “if I can’t find a job – and corporate America has made it clear they aren’t going to give me a job, then maybe I have to try to find a way to make my own job. A job that will use the experiences of the last 3 years to make a difference in the lives of people who have been forgotten by so many others…” </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Please don’t forget about Kelly, and the15 million others that need your help.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Most Respectfully,</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Marcia Reimers</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Your Gadfly Granny</div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-7528213232944118852012-05-31T18:26:00.000-07:002012-05-31T19:08:52.021-07:00Letter #149... Dear Mr. President... Don't let this become a 'My Pet Goat' moment.<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Mr. President:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enlisting the help of President Clinton in Wisconsin, is a wonderful gesture and I know he will be welcomed with open arms for all the support and goodwill he brings to Democrats and all Wisconsinites in their fight to recall Scott Walker.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3LOFQ0hyphenhyphenMaWqf1p2OkpXEF_y2RIEc_RlyfdTGhHvnpKzLrKKBN-iNlyyfwv_9xoEWP6vtuUjmEm3dUP4kzPksgZ-uQYzRUz3ttjakKcDP1EQHZ1ogtLMD4W_PBcYmqLzsiQTHJQzcQY6/s1600/Clinton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3LOFQ0hyphenhyphenMaWqf1p2OkpXEF_y2RIEc_RlyfdTGhHvnpKzLrKKBN-iNlyyfwv_9xoEWP6vtuUjmEm3dUP4kzPksgZ-uQYzRUz3ttjakKcDP1EQHZ1ogtLMD4W_PBcYmqLzsiQTHJQzcQY6/s200/Clinton.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Clinton's visit will be appreciated</td></tr>
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The stakes in Wisconsin are enormous and it’s not just about labor unions or state workers or the teachers… it’s about the message it sends to all those states that have Republican Governors. It’s about the strong-arm tactics Republicans are using to destroy unions, suppress voter rights, deny equal rights to the LGTB Community, and use unlimited amounts of PAC money to do it. </div>
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The ramifications of a Walker win will be staggering… it will embolden all the other Republican Governors to follow suit and strip workers of all collective bargaining rights and destroy unions all around the country. It will open the floodgates and allow Walker to follow in the footsteps of Rick Scott in Florida to purge people from voter rolls and continue to perpetrate the myth of rampant voter fraud. </div>
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That is just part of why it’s important for YOU to go to Wisconsin and lend your support to the PEOPLE… not just the Democrats, but all the people of Wisconsin, because no one can lend more credibility to a cause than the sitting President of the United States… and the cause is equality, and civil rights.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can't afford another Bush</td></tr>
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Please do not let this become your ‘My Pet Goat’ moment. If you sit this out or wait too long to act, and Barrett loses by a slim margin, you may end up regretting the decision to remain bi-partisan. You took a great risk going after Bin Laden, and another great risk by endorsing the right of Gays to marry… both could have been the undoing of your presidency, but you took that risk because both of those things were the right things to do. So is going to Wisconsin. You can’t sit this one out.</div>
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The long-term effects could be disastrous. If Republicans take back the White House they will pack the Federal courts with ultra-conservative Judges that will make rulings that allow voter suppression to continue, making it impossible for the Democratic Party to ever win back the White House. The Supreme Court would be packed with enough conservatives to set back civil rights, women’s rights and gay rights by 50 to 100 years. </div>
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You can’t sit this one out Mr. President. Bill Clinton will do an amazing job, but he is not you… You are the man in the White House now… You are the one Wisconsinites want to see, they want to know that YOU have their back. Yes, there is a risk of appearing to be engaging in partisan politics, but this is a risk you must take, because the stakes are incredibly high, and you can’t afford a ‘My Pet Goat’ moment.</div>
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Most Respectfully,</div>
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Marcia Reimers, </div>
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Your Gadfly Granny</div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-4271530481563757032012-05-28T14:27:00.000-07:002012-05-29T10:07:14.900-07:00Letter #148... Dear Mr. President... Become the Tax and Save President<style>
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Dear Mr. President:<br />
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It’s been a while since I last wrote to you, but I’ve got some ideas about things for you to remind people about along the campaign trail over the next six months.<br />
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For too long now Democrats have been labeled the ‘tax and spend’ party, and the Republicans have done a pretty darn good job of making that sound wasteful and bad for America… well I’ve had enough of that nonsense, and it’s got to stop.<br />
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Become the Tax and Save President… Tax and Save our Schools, Tax and Save our Parks, Tax and Save Social Security, Tax and Save Medicare… and so on and so forth. Make paying taxes a good thing, because taxes are a good thing. Taxes are what built this country and the lack of those taxes is what’s bringing this country to its knees.<br />
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It’s time to expose the Republican Party for what they are, the Cut and Close Party. Cut and Close Schools, Cut and Close Parks, Cut and Close Libraries, Cut and Close Medical Clinics that serve the poor, Cut and Close Planned Parenthood Clinics, Cut and Close critical nutrition programs, and Cut and Close every safety net put in place to protect the most vulnerable citizens… children, seniors, veterans, the disabled, etc… etc… because cutting taxes has worked so well for so many people… oh wait, well not so many people, only about 1% of the population… the super rich.<br />
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That’s the message you need to be telling people. The Democratic Party stands for tax fairness for everyone, everyone paying so we all prosper, and returning this country to the great nation it once was. And yes, that means making the rich pay higher taxes, it means closing the loopholes that allow the rich to have offshore accounts and pay nothing, it means making corporations that send manufacturing jobs overseas pay a large tariff to return those products to the U.S., and it means making sure EVERYONE pays a fair share… no wiggle room, no loopholes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who's the real "NO" Taxes, but "BIG" spending Party</td></tr>
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What has happened since the Cut and Close Party convinced the American public that somehow all taxes are evil? The idea that cutting taxes is good for our economy has spread like a plague across this country wreaking havoc in every state at every level. Yes, the Republicans have done a wonderful job of convincing the public that cutting taxes is always good, when the exact opposite is true, and that has got to be stopped and it has got to be stopped now.<br />
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So Mr. President, it’s time to start a new mantra for Democrats… We are the Tax and Save Party, we will save Social Security and Medicare and we will do it by raising taxes on the super rich, and by instituting a plan that makes sure EVERYONE pays their fair share… no if’s, ands, or buts about it.<br />
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As Ed Shultz would say, “Now lets get to work.”<br />
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Most Respectfully,<br />
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Marcia Reimers, </div>
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Your Gadfly Granny</div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-51654611495499010572012-04-29T13:27:00.000-07:002012-04-29T13:34:43.664-07:00Unite Against the War on Women Speech... Sacramento Capitol<style>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">We are at a pivotal point in the history of women – right here, right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I believe that each person here has a family member with stories similar to those you will be hearing today… Stories from your mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers… deeply personal stories that need to be heard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">While many may reveal painful secrets that most families would like to keep private, they need to be told. They need to be told so they are not repeated, because if we do not stop this insidious War on Women… our rights will be pushed back more than 40 years . </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My Grand Mother was adopted on April 7, 1890… she was left on the doorstep of the Browns in Marin County, wrapped in a blanket and placed in a laundry basket. The Browns had no other children and were fairly well off, so they adopted this baby girl and named her Ethel Minerva Brown. It was obvious that this infant was left by some woman, or some young girl that was either unmarried, or unable to care for her, or already had too many children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But my story begins back in 1944, after my older brother was born… because I was born in December of 1945 <i><span style="color: red;">after</span></i> my father had had a vasectomy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was a time when mainly men were in charge of birth control, through the use of prophylactics and vasectomies, although vasectomies were not prevalent until the late 50’s and early 60’s. Think about it, men practicing birth control, what a novel idea that is today, and nobody questioned them about it… no government interference, just make the appointment and spend the next 3 days with an icepack, and if they’re smart they do it during football season so they can lay on the couch, drink beer and eat chips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Now it’s 1960 and my mom is pregnant with #6 … she’s now 44 years old and completely devastated by the news. She asked her OB GYN about an abortion because at her age the chance of this baby being born with one or more birth defects was much greater. She was told that abortion was illegal and that her life was not at risk, so in desperation my mom took all of prescription medications she could find in the house and stumbled off of the hill behind our house. She wasn’t hurt, but she had a bad case of poison oak and was out cold for 3 days, but I guess her mental well-being wasn’t a consideration. My youngest brother was born in May of 1961, and yes, my father had another vasectomy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Then in 1963 I got pregnant in the back seat of a 58 Ford, on Prom Night, in my senior year of H.S… it was the first time I’d ever had intercourse… Did I mention my last name was Fields… they called us the fertile Fields. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Back in 1963 you had two choices… get married or go back East to a home for unwed mothers and give your baby up for adoption… being a <span style="color: red;">SINGLE MOM</span> was not acceptable… so, given the <span style="color: red;">CHOICE,</span> I got married. Dennis was born in January of 1964 and because my husband was Catholic we practiced the <span style="color: red;">RHYTHM METHOD</span>, and Jeff was born in January of 1965. Then came the <span style="color: red;">PILL</span> and Colt was born in 1971. I switched to an intrauterine device called the <span style="color: red;">DALCON SHIELD,</span> but in 1976 found out I was pregnant again… right in the middle of running for city council… <span style="color: red;">BUT, THIS TIME WAS DIFFERENT… My Doctor asked me what I wanted to do with the pregnancy… MY GOD… A CHOICE… I looked him square in the eye and said…”This must be my Girl, because God wouldn’t be that cruel.” I CHOSE to have a forth child, and her name is Eden… Eden is 35 now, with 3 children of her own.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me, at the Capitol in Sacramento before the Rally</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">While the right wing pundits like to refer to us as pro-abortion... <span style="color: red;">we are all in fact anti-abortion..</span>. I don’t know of a single woman that’s anxious and excited about having to undergo any medical procedure, let alone an abortion. What we are is <span style="color: red;">PRO-CHOICE</span> which is where the problem lies... Some people in Government, and certain Religious groups and yes, mostly men... think they know what is best for women and women’s reproductive rights. <span style="color: red;">They are passing legislation many states to restrict a woman’s right to her own reproductive HEALTH choices, AND WE CAN’T LET THAT HAPPEN!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When Darrell Issa, (I’m ashamed to say he’s from CA) denied Sandra Fluke the right to speak at his congressional hearing, but had no problem picking 5 men to discuss a woman’s use of contraception… he unwittingly ignited a firestorm of protest culminating in this event, an event which is being duplicated in every capitol all across America. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In 50 states in 2011 there were over 1,100 bills introduced affecting women’s health provisions and reproductive rights – 135 have been signed into law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">38 states so far in 2012 are pushing for 450 new pieces of legislation – ALL aimed at restricting access or denying existing benefits of reproductive coverage and rights. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Wisconsin, Tennessee, Virginia, Indiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Arizona, and New Hampshire have all voted to either defund Planned Parenthood, ban abortions after 18 weeks, establish personhood laws, ban coverage for contraception, redefine rape, or require unnecessary and sometimes invasive ultrasounds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">AND… for the first time we are hearing about opposition to the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Re-authorization of VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Make no mistake about it... THERE IS A WAR ON WOMEN, and it is being waged mostly by MEN in the REPUBLICAN party because they want more control over women, and they have been systematically, passing laws that take away rights we have had for over 40 years, and they are doing it one state at a time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A few years ago, right out there on the sidewalk a man was picketing with one of those horrendous signs of an aborted fetus, and he asked me for my support<span style="color: red;">… BIG MISTAKE</span>… After taking him to task for protesting something that is none damn business, I asked him this:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">HOW MANY CHILDREN HAVE YOU ADOPTED</span><span style="font-size: small;"> from mothers that have chosen life, but are putting their babies up for adoption? </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">HOW MANY FOSTER CHILDREN ARE YOU RAISING</span><span style="font-size: small;"> from children taken away from parents that are unable to care for them or have abused them? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">That’s right… these people <span style="color: red;">PRETEND to be pro-life</span>, when in fact they are <span style="color: red;">PRO-CONTROL…</span> they don’t give a damn about children AFTER they’re born… What the <span style="color: red;">HELL</span>… they don’t even want to see us breastfeed our babies in public… they only care about <span style="color: red;">CONTROL, and CONTROLLING A WOMAN’S CHOICE.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And this issue doesn’t just affect us women… it affects men and families as well. When a woman makes just 77cents for every dollar a man makes, and has to pay up to 30% more for health care services, it affects that families ability to provide decent housing, food, education, etc… </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This <span style="color: red;">WAR ON WOMEN</span> screws you men too… think about it… </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1. BIRTH CONTROL helps men have MORE SEX… with less anxiety.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2. With birth control spacing out pregnancies, you have a healthier </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3. The <span style="color: red;">ECONOMIC BENEFIT… approx. $300,000</span> to raise a child to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> 18, that doesn’t include the cost of college. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">NOW THAT’S A LOT OF BIG SCREEN TV’S, ROUNDS OF GOLF, AND FAMILY VACATIONS IN HAWAII.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">BUT… </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">THIS IS NOT</span><span style="font-size: small;"> JUST ABOUT THE PAST STRUGGLES OF WOMEN …</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">THIS IS NOT</span><span style="font-size: small;"> JUST ABOUT THE SYSTEMATIC EFFORTS TO DISMANTLE ROE V WADE</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">THIS IS NOT</span><span style="font-size: small;"> ABOUT RUSH LIMBAUGH OR DARRELL ISSA, OR THE GOP</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">THIS IS ABOUT US… THIS IS ABOUT WOMEN</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">THIS IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF WOMEN</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">AND MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT</span><span style="font-size: small;">… the GOP has a TARGET… a PRIZE that they seek… they are after FULL and COMPLETE CONTROL over the <span style="color: red;">SUPREME COURT, and that is why they are so DESPARATE to regain the White House</span>... if they are allowed to appoint more ultra conservative Judges then they will be able to <span style="color: red;">CONTROL WOMEN for decades to come</span>. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE ABSOLUTELY CANNOT LET THAT HAPPEN... </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE MUST SHOW THEM THAT…. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE are sick and tired of the status quo. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE are NOT PAWNS to be manipulated by men.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE will NOT go quietly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE will NOT roll over.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE will NOT comply.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE will NOT sit down.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE will NOT shut up.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE will NOT submit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GO BACKWARDS IN TIME... </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE OUR DAUGHTERS AND GRANDDAUGHTERS SUFFER THE INJUSTICES SO MANY OF US HAVE FOUGHT SO HARD AGAINST. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE CANNOT GO BACK... NOT NOW… NOT EVER…</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE MUST STAND UP FOR OURSELVES, </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE MUST STAND UP FOR ALL WOMEN, </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE MUST SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OPPRESSED WOMEN EVERYWHERE, BECAUSE IF WE DON’T ... THEN WHO WILL? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">YES, We are at a pivotal point in the history of women – right here, right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And on November 6<sup>th</sup> WE have a MISSION… a MISSION to VOTE.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">A MISSION TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES THAT SUPPORT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO MAKE HER OWN REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">A MISSION IS TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">A MISSION to restore the RIGHTS of ALL Women, ALL ACROSS AMERICA.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Harrington; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: small;">WE are CITIZENS of THESE United States … </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">We are <b><i><u>EQUAL</u></i></b> and we <b><i><u>WILL PREVAIL</u></i></b> !</span></div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653284300034446181.post-72316973237210990212012-04-14T21:52:00.000-07:002012-04-29T13:36:38.693-07:00Letter #147... Dear Mr. President... The Loss of a Child... and Mothers<style>
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Dear Mr. President:</div>
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It’s appropriate that this is my 147<sup>th</sup> letter, because this is about my son Jeff, who passed away on 4/7 at the age of 47 from pancreatic/liver cancer. I told you about Jeff in letter #138 written on Saturday, February 4, 2012. </div>
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This is also about mothers, working mothers, single mothers, and yes, mothers like Ann Romney. You were quite right to say that all mothers are incredibly hard working, and there is no more important, nor difficult job than being a mother. With that said I think that you’ll agree there are vast differences between working class mothers like yours and mine, and mothers like Ann Romney. That’s not to say that she doesn’t love her children just as much, nor does it mean that she wouldn’t sacrifice just as much as any other mother… what it does mean is that she doesn’t have to work as hard, or worry about the same things as single moms or working moms. It means like everything else in life… not all things are equal, nor will they ever be… not even moms.</div>
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When Jeff was born in 1965, I was just 19 years old and had another son Dennis, who was barely a year old. Every day was a struggle for all of us… a struggle to make enough money to put food on the table, keep cloths on our backs, and keep a roof over our heads, and yes, I was a stay at home mom. Did I work hard? You bet I did, and when the kids were just 2 and 3 I was divorced, and I became a single working mom. I had to lie about Jeff being potty trained to get him and his brother into a state run child care facility that charged on a sliding scale according to what you made. They charged me a dime for every pair of pants he wet during the day, questioning if he was really potty trained. </div>
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Do you think Ann Romney had to worry about those things while she was ‘raising’ her five boys? I think not. Do you think she waited all year for the ‘sidewalk sale days’ to come, just so she could buy enough cheap cloths for the next year? I think not. Do you think she spent her Saturdays at the Laundromat washing cloths for the next week, or using iron on patches to extend the life of a pair of jeans for one more month? I think not. Those are just a few of the differences between Ann and me. </div>
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After an uneventful childhood, both of Jeff’s kidneys failed and at the age of 19 he needed a kidney transplant. Luckily I was an excellent match, so on August 14, 1984 we shared an operating room and a special bond that all donors and recipients have forever. In little more than two years Jeff needed lens implants for cataracts caused by the immunosuppressant drugs he took, and he needed bi-lateral hip replacements because his hipbones were disintegrating, and he could no longer walk without pain. </div>
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Would Ann Romney have donated a kidney to save the life of her child? No doubt in my mind, she would have. Would she have had to take time off of a job, arrange for someone to take her place at work, and find a sitter for her other children while she was hospitalized and recuperating… I think not. Would she have had to worry about how much insurance was going to pay vs. what she would owe the hospital and doctors... I think not. </div>
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Do you see where I’m going with this Mr. President… not all moms have the same struggles, not all moms have the luxury of knowing that they can have the absolute best health care money can buy, not all moms have the same resources at their disposal as the Ann Romney’s of the world, and not all moms have horses to ride as a means of handling the stresses of everyday life… some moms can only afford to take a walk around the block to relieve their stress. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEp5un7AZfnvAaKa2sTY0sXnCjdYMH9Ty3gX7nK4yzQd12POz76ar8kRJkksefP-ztgtcZpKP0qXGa4uPtvfczOSQDMmUJbl7SY0S9lKkFDt2LU3gVLyxsNom94AMupcGQYzYRiMPXtYH/s1600/naster+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEp5un7AZfnvAaKa2sTY0sXnCjdYMH9Ty3gX7nK4yzQd12POz76ar8kRJkksefP-ztgtcZpKP0qXGa4uPtvfczOSQDMmUJbl7SY0S9lKkFDt2LU3gVLyxsNom94AMupcGQYzYRiMPXtYH/s320/naster+030.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff catches the first of three fish that day</td></tr>
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In January when Jeff came to live with us after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we didn’t know how much time we’d have, or what he’d be able to do in the time he did have… so we took one day at a time. If Jeff was feeling good we’d take a walk around the lake, or do every day things like shopping or just sitting and talking. In the three months he had with us, he celebrated his 47<sup>th</sup> birthday with family, he went to Lake Tahoe to see the snow, he dropped a few coins in the slots, and had calamari in the bar at the Hyatt overlooking the lake. His sister took him to see his first 3D movie, even though he admitted to sleeping through most of it. He got to see his brothers home in Redwood City, and got to ride in his dads restored 48 Ford. He got to ride in the GTO he owned as a teenager before selling it to is brother, and treated everyone to lunch at a downtown restaurant. He bought a fishing pole and caught three fish just a few days before he died… he was the happiest man on earth that day. And together we planned for an Easter dinner celebration and egg hunt for his nieces and nephews. And although he died the day before Easter, we still had our celebration in his honor… he would have had a great time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff at right, getting ready for a ride in his brothers GTO</td></tr>
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We lived each day as if there would always be a tomorrow… we made plans like we had all the time in the world, and we never treated him like he was going to die, but that he was living. We planned a trip to Vegas and the Grand Canyon, but like Easter, it was not to be… his sudden decline and death came just three months to the day after his arrival. Even as we mourn his passing, we remember his strength and courage, we remember his sense of humor, and his genuine love for all of us, his friends, his music, his animals, and all living things… but we also remember that those who live in our hearts… will never die.</div>
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We were lucky to have the past three months together, Mr. President… yes, he struggled to find things he could eat and keep down, even as he lost more and more weight, but he never gave up or gave in to self-pity. Yes, there were times we cried together at the random unfairness of his eminent demise, but not because he would have wished it on another person, but because he knew he’d never be around to see his nieces and nephews marry and have children of their own. He knew he’d never celebrate another 4<sup>th</sup> of July, Thanksgiving, or Christmas… he knew he’d miss the next election and the opportunity to vote for you Mr. President. </div>
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I know there are many other mothers who have endured much worse than me, have struggled harder and longer than me, who have lost children like me, wept like me, and will go on like me… because that is what mothers do, we go on and we endure through the heartache, the pain, and the loss, because we must, but there will always be a hole in my heart, that small missing piece that was Jeff.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff's Uncle Shannon, Brother Colt (w/toy gun) Sister Eden, Jeff and his Brother Dennis </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Those are the things that all mothers have in common… we make sacrifices for our children because we love them. When we bring them into the world, we hope that the world will be their oyster, that we can keep them safe, comfort them when they are hurt or sad, teach them to be contributing members of society, and to treat others as they would like to be treated. We suffer when the cruel realities of life affect them in ways we cannot change… realizing that we cannot protect them from everything, and knowing that life is at times hard and unforgiving. I’m quite sure your mother and your grandmother felt the same way while raising you… and my mother about raising me, and my five siblings… it’s what we mothers do.</div>
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But to say all mothers are hard working in the same sense as your mother and my mother is not accurate. Ann Romney has never had to worry about whether she could afford to send her children to college, or if she could afford piano lessons, or dance classes. She never had to shop for bargains, or see how far she could stretch the beans and rice, or how many meals she could get out of a single chicken. She has in fact not had the same worries as ordinary working mothers. </div>
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So the faux anger the Republicans are claiming over the inarticulate comment made by Hilary Rosen saying Mrs. Romney has never worked a day in her life, rings very hollow with me and other ‘working’ moms. Let’s be honest, Ann Romney doesn’t work as hard as other moms, what she works hard at is organizing the hired help to do the work that other moms do by themselves… cooking, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, mopping, shopping, etc… etc… </div>
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So to say that all moms work equally hard is like saying that all the passengers on the Titanic had equal access to a lifeboat… it’s just not true. Of the 536 third class passengers that died, most were women and children, almost double that of first and second-class passengers put together. </div>
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And so it is the world over… life is random, death is random, health is random, being born into wealth is random, and living in poverty is random, and having to work hard, or not, is random. It’s not about fairness, or being more or less deserving than anyone else… it is, in fact… just random. </div>
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Hold your daughters tight Mr. President, love them unconditionally, and hope and pray that you never have to hold their hand and watch them die, as I did with my dear sweet boy... Jeff.</div>
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Most Respectfully,</div>
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Marcia Reimers, </div>
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Your Gadfly Granny</div>Marcia Reimershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03193825964818290849noreply@blogger.com0