SodaHead - Jane Heffelfinger's Blog

The Prince Who Would Be King

2008-09-15T00:58:28Z

0 raves

In this ultimate chess tournament for the kingdom of America, the Prince who would be King must face the fact that his coronation may now be in jeopardy...

…and all because of a woman.

Isn’t it funny how irony can mock arrogance square in the face at the very moment we wish it wouldn’t.

This particular chess match, McCain vs. Obama, has played out rather predictably. We knew the Democratic leadership would rather paddle through firewater than ask Hillary to be on the ticket. We also knew Republican McCain, being the independent maverick he is, would throw a wrench in the Democratic motor.

In retrospect, it’s also true that if Prince Obama would have taken the Queen, Madame Hillary, with him on his attempted conquest he would now be preparing for his coronation.

Instead, in his mission to promote change in Washington, D.C., Obama chose a 35+ year veteran of the land of Washington, D.C., a knight named Biden. This chess move seemed somewhat confusing to many. And it did not please those soldiers of Hillary.

So, where are we now?

The Libertarian Party Vice-Presidential nominee has stated he will step aside for the betterment of the country if the very popular Ron Paul Revolution would accept the position on their ticket.

This could be another fabulous move on their part if Ron Paul accepts.

It also positions both the Republicans and the Democrats horribly since they are now fighting for those independent votes, which they both need desperately.

Now I hear a rumor about Biden stepping down “because of health concerns”, allowing for Hillary to step in. I find that rumor rather interesting. In this soap opera chess tournament this would be the only way Obama is assured the crown; however, it requires the Democratic Party leadership, Obama, Biden and Hillary’s cooperation. After watching the earlier contests I would find that move to be phenomenal.

One thing is sure, this election cycle has brought all kinds of issues to the surface: race, gender, class, disenfranchisement, equality, religion, the list goes on and on. Nothing has changed much since medieval times, except the struggle is less bloody in the kingdom of America.

My point – as long as we keep talking about these human issues and allow ourselves the opportunity to change we are one step closer to human equality.

From The Democratic Party website - Party Builder

2008-06-15T00:25:17Z

Jane Heffelfinger

0 raves

WA DEMS VOTE TO DIS-ENFRANCHISE PRIMARY VOTERS
By Democrat For McCain - Jun 14th, 2008 at 7:44 pm EDT

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(What is this?) Just now at the Washington State Democratic Convention, the Party, lead by Dwight Pelz (ARROGANT ASS) to not allow the selection of delegates based on the Washington State primary. This process in place only allows those people who actually attend a caucus. This dis-enfranchises the Miltary, Elderly and many, many voters that can not make it to the caucus.

It is so nice to know the Washington State Democratic Party wants to ignore the voice of the people. The Democratic Party is supposed to be about including voters, not excluding them.

This only goes to prove it is no longer the party for the people, but against the people.

As a point of reference the Washington GOP selects it's delegates based upon 50% from the causus and 50% from the state primary.

Why is Dwight Pelz letting the GOP get the upper hand in hearing the voice of the People?

The Vote was:
334 For
605 Against
25 Obstained

Even if this was a majority for, it still would not pass, because there are not enough delegates present to pass an Amendment to the Platform. The threshold is 1,000. Clearly a number meant to keep any amendment from being heard and the party elitist, like Dwight Pelz, sequestering any alternate opinion.

This is not the Democratic Party I signed on to.

Report from the Texas State Democratic Convention

2008-06-09T20:24:26Z

Jane Heffelfinger

+3 raves

Report from the Texas State Democratic Convention
By Jane - Jun 9th, 2008 at 4:13 pm EDT
Back from the Texas State Democratic Convention and I have this to report.

Day One: Friday, June 6, 2008.

I was there from 6:15am Friday morning until 3:30am Saturday morning on the first day of the convention.

The leaders of the Convention and different caucus events continued to reiterate the Unity for Change propaganda we have heard lately. If they say it enough times we will eventually believe it and if they say it enough we will eventually conform.

The day was spent split between special interest Caucus meetings and individual Senate District Caucus meetings, conducting the business of electing Committee Members for the year and Delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

My Senate District Caucus was uneventful for a while since we, Hillary supporters, weren’t expecting to win any seats on the committees. Still, we fought on, voting for our candidates.

Then, the Obama supporters suggested they vote a Hillary supporter to a committee. While on the surface that token would’ve been a nice gesture in the uniting process; the position offered, however, held no actual authority. The proposal was ruled against because the rules would not permit it. However, Obama supporters could’ve, as a unit, elected a Hillary supporter anyway while following the rules since they had the majority of voting power. They chose not to.

The point I, and many of the Hillary supporters, were trying to make, and continue to voice, is that if the Obama supporters REALLY wanted to bring the Democratic Party together in unity, they would not attempt to pacify us with empty gestures of unity; they would’ve offered a position with some authority, such as Credentials or Nominations.

If you have won the battle as they claim, are not fearful of your opponent as they state and truly embrace unity within the Democratic Party as they profess, why wouldn’t they offer just one position of authority as a gesture of friendship, compassion, unity and change? That’s would’ve been good sportsman like conduct.

While many of us had insults and/or elite attitudes thrown at us, all in all it was predictable.

Bill and Hillary Clinton’s daughter spoke! She said she had never spoken before that large of a crowd; the estimate before the convention was around 14,000 people, I don’t know the actual numbers. She spoke eloquently even though I’m sure the circumstances were overwhelming for her.

__________

Day Two: Saturday, June, 7, 2008.

I arrived at the Convention at 7:30am, left for home at 8:15pm.

While the tone of the Obama supporters was in celebration for their candidate, most of the Convention propaganda was directed specifically at the Hillary supporters…and by the time people started leaving, it was as if all the air had been forced out of the balloon.

Hillary’s speech was to be televised in the Hall. We were listening to the commentators speak about what they thought Hillary would say in her speech when the screen went blank. Later they found the satellite feed and we watched for a few minutes as Hillary walked up to the stage and began speaking. Then the screen went blank for a few more minutes. Then Hillary came back on to announce she was “suspending” her campaign. Then the screen went blank again. Then a few minutes later she came back on to say she supports Obama, then suddenly the screen went blank again and nothing else.

How convenient those mysterious technical difficulties were at those appropriate times. Mind you, our convention was at the famous Austin Convention Center in fabulous Austin, Texas.
______

The leaders on this day spent most of their efforts trying to convert Hillary supporters to join the party of change in hopes of unity.

I lost count of just how many times we heard the words – CHANGE – HOPE – UNITY. It was as if they were trying to brainwash us. Remember, if you hear it enough times you will eventually believe it and if they say it enough we will eventually conform.

While we were sitting in the very large hall, we were yelled at by the speaker, told to stand up and hold hands with the person next to you – as if we were at a church revival.

That was the last straw for me; I do not touch much in public and holding two strangers’ hands is just too much for me. Where have their hands been, when was the last time they washed their hands, do they have a cold? Do you see where I’m going with this? It was not a religious revival for me and I could not be part of this lame effort to unite.

If you want me to unite with your cause, convince me that your cause will hold my values to some degree of integrity, convince me that your cause is worthy of my efforts, convince me that you are honorable in your efforts.

When the actual voting process was called to order, the Chairman went through the process so quickly it was obvious something continued to be just a little off in Dodge City – oops, Austin.

Then, in the middle of an important vote regarding whether or not we should take out the disenfranchising Caucus from the election process, we were told, ”There is an emergency, we need to evacuate the building.” By this time it was clear to everyone, not just Hillary supporters, that something was afoul in the O-K Corral, ooops, Austin.

After waiting outside for four minutes we were given the all clear sign and told to enter the building. At this point many people had already left the convention, it was finally more than they could take.

My party stayed at the convention a few more hours, then left with such disappointment; not only was our candidate treated so unfairly, but we were treated with such disrespect and the process of democracy did not prevail even within the Texas State Democratic Party Convention.

Personal note:
Let's be honest and call this what it is: a coup d'état period.

Ranking members of the Democratic Party, including those within the Texas Democratic Party, knew they could never control Hillary Clinton, but they could control Obama; so they have staged a coup d'état within the Democratic Party itself.

If the leaders of the Democratic Party do not care about fracturing the Democratic Party, then why should we?

Put the blame where the blame should go - the leaders. It is their responsibility to bring integrity, honesty and a general sense of fair play and transparency to the table - they have not.

They will have exactly what they deserve for staging such a disgraceful coup d'etat.

Sick, and frankly, damn well tired!

2008-06-02T19:22:26Z

Jane Heffelfinger

+1 raves

We, the people, stand in front of the powers that be in the Democratic Party with logic and the majority of Americans on our side. The powers that be, the Democratic royalty, act as if we are invisible.

Such a dismissive approach, in past history, has resulted in royal heads rolling down the steps.

Is this what the people's party, the Democratic Party, has degraded itself to become - a gullible, indefensible group of arrogant, self-glorifying individuals? But hey, isn't that what the Democratic Party calls a Republican?

"...we have to unify the party..." bluh, bluh, bluh. What other garbage do you expect us to swallow before you force us to vote AGAINST your probable candidate?

By voting the way you did regarding MI/FL, by taking votes away from one candidate and giving them to another candidate, aren't you really just setting yourselves up to keep the positions you now hold on the committee? I find it interesting that the people responsible for voting on this rules committee are also able to serve on this same committee in the future if the eventual nominee asks them. Doesn't that seem like a serious CONFLICT OF INTEREST?

Do you think the logical supporters of Hillary Clinton 4 POTUS are going to forget the blatant, grievously suspicious offense? POSTURING...OH, SWEETIE, IT'S just POSTURING and that happens all the time in politics.

Well, to that end I say, the American people are sick and damn well tired of posturing. Americans want results; Americans want honesty; Americans want integrity; Americans want a candidate who will hold America's best interests at heart.

When my house is burning down, I do not want a junior firewo/man HEADING THE TEAM OF FIREWO/MEN TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.

When my child needs a life saving surgery, I do not want an intern AS THE HEAD SURGEON.

When the airplane I'm on is falling to the ground, I do not want someone who plays video games TRYING TO LAND IT.

GET THE PICTURE?

It does not take a rocket scientist to get this stuff!

We, the people of the Democratic Party of the United States of America, are sick, and frankly, damn well tired of this crap.

Positions of Power - "Smoke filled back rooms"

2008-06-02T14:27:19Z

Jane Heffelfinger

0 raves

Our representatives are now choosing our leaders in "smoke filled back rooms". I thought that debate on Saturday was to be a public event. Who decided that they would choose what to do away from the people? What gives them the right to decide this in private, without the people there to hold them accountable for the decisions they made?

When are we, the people, going to hold our representatives accountable?

DO YOU KNOW WHY THEY VOTED THE WAY THEY DID?

I BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE PUT INTO THESE POSITIONS OF POWER BY THE EVENTUAL NOMINEE AND I BELIEVE THE POWERS THAT BE HAVE ALREADY DECIDED THAT PERSON WILL BE Mr. Obama AND THAT IS WHY THEY VOTED FOR MI/FL IN THE WAY THEY DID - SO THAT THEY WILL BE OFFERED THESE POSITIONS OF POWER AGAIN.

MY THOUGHT HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO PLAY FAIR - THE FAIR WAY TO DO IT WOULD BE TO CHANGE UP LEADERSHIP EVERY FOUR YEARS.

"SMOKE FILLED BACK ROOM" ONCE AGAIN

2008-05-31T23:34:25Z

Jane Heffelfinger

+2 raves

"SMOKE FILLED BACK ROOM" ONCE AGAIN
By Jane Heffelfinger - May 31st, 2008 at 6:56 pm EDT

WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON IN "THE SMOKE FILLED BACK ROOMS" WHILE WE WERE ALL WAITING FOR THEM TO COME BACK FROM LUNCH?

WE HAVE FOUND THAT WHEN THEY SAY - WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PARTY - THEY ARE NOT INCLUDING YOU AND I, THE ORDINARY VOTER, IN THAT.

PEOPLE WERE EXCITED THIS TIME AROUND BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE FINALLY BEING LISTENED TO, BEING HEARD; HOWEVER, WHAT DO THE PROCEEDINGS TODAY PROVE?

THIS PROVES THEY STILL ARE NOT LISTENING TO US.

WHEN WILL THE PEASANTS RISE AGAINST THE LORDS, DUKES AND PRINCES OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

REMEMBER, YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE IN NOVEMBER!!!

ACTUALLY, YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE NOW.

AT ANY TIME, YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION WITH VOTER REGISTRATION TO INDEPENDENT OR REPUBLICAN IF YOU CHOOSE.

Bill Cosby -

2008-05-29T19:03:23Z

Jane Heffelfinger

+5 raves

Article from Wall Street Journal:
Rev. Wright epitomizes the thoughts and actions that have prevented and continue to prevent black America from moving ahead and achieving their potential as a people. He suggests that this United States of America made up of sons and daughters of immigrants (I'm talking of the millions of 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation immigrants in this country) of every race, creed, color and religion each and everyone of them who had nothing to do with slavery, some how owe something to a group of people who have never been slaves? Its amazing. It seems everyone is to blame for the shambles black society is in with its violence, drugs, high school drop out rates, misogyny, and a host of other real and virulent problems, except for the very people who engage in such behavior. Enough. As a society, culture or people, they should look within themselves and fix their problems. When did this man become the spokesman for the black church? And of course his church is different, but that doesn't mean his message and philosophy is acceptable, or productive or non-offensive or not-racist or indicative or our greater cultural behaviors, values and norms Americans. And yes, the link between this man and Obama really does matter. At a very minimum, it provides insight into the political and philosophical strain that Obama adheres to.
Comment by Bill Cosby

Obama's Uncle - comment on Greta Wire Blog

2008-05-28T03:13:07Z

Jane Heffelfinger

+5 raves

Comment by Jane Heffelfinger
May 27th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Just so you know where I come from: I sent a partner off to Afghanistan, a brother and nephew to Iraq, my Uncle was in Nam, my Father Korea, my Grandfather and his four brothers in WW2.

What I find the most disturbing is the fact that he stumbled through the story almost like he knew he was telling a fabrication. Then to imply with his speech mannerism that it meant something personal to him - awful. Then to hear it wasn’t that horrid death camp. Then to hear it wasn’t even his Uncle, but a Great-Uncle.

How disgusting to toy with the Vets and their families, especially on a day when he was to honor their service.

And, to classify these lies as “gaffes” or misspeaking” - do not assume to tell me that this intelligent man had such an episode.

Not the POTUS I would want to sit in the Oval Office…ever.

Jane Heffelfinger
Austin, Texas, USA

http://gretawire.foxnews.com/2008/05/27/post-show-your-show-c...

Hillary and Obama supporters - Please read

2008-05-25T14:56:28Z

Jane Heffelfinger

+2 raves

There is really no need for insults that create an atmosphere of confrontation; especially because we are basically on the same side.

If Mr. Obama and his supporters want the change they profess to want - it must start with each individual changing within themselves - please stop the bad behavior no matter what is thrown at you.

The same goes for Hillary supporters - please stop the name calling, it is not becoming of a Hillary supporter. Debate with all your heart, logically, yes, but please stop with the bad behavior no matter what is thrown at you.

That is how I see it.

I have no children, but I am concerned about how the Obama supporters with children are acting; in the same way that I'm concerned for the parents who want to win their child's baseball game NO MATTER WHAT.

This psychological mentality is what needs to change, if you really want change.

In response to Chuck's question:

2008-05-20T22:05:04Z

Jane Heffelfinger

+2 raves

http://www.sodahead.com/question/89520/obama-rallies-tens-of-...

Can you imagine when we all meld together what culture will be lost forever.

To answer your post Chuck:
Southern Culture has nothing to do with racism, which is what you're really talking about.

MLK didn't AVOID areas where he wasn't welcome. Ghandi didn't avoid those parts of the country where they were not welcoming him.

No, these men went into the areas where they were needed the most.

RIGHT THERE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA and MLK.

MLK went everywhere to prove his point. Obama AVOIDS those places where he knows they won't give him a free ride, where they don't treat him like a savior.

Avoidance vs. Head On - which do you want from your President?

If I hear Obama evoke the name of MLK, JFK or Abe Lincoln one more time, I will have to scream.

"What do you want him to do under those circumstances?" Chuck asks -
If he wants to be the damn president of the United States he should start acting like it! If he wants to visit only those places that are comfortable, he needs to stay a Senator and go on vacations.

If he wants to be our leader, then he had better start acting like he can - because these ordinary Americans out here aren't so quick to fall for sh*t anymore.