OliveOil's shout trail with Florimouse - Help.com

Ha ha ha! Yes… only temporarily though (I hope, I hope.) I was inspired to come back after that great day… Tuesday of this week. :) Also that rain and cold we are having here keeps me inside for the time being… speaking of being stuck indoors I saw a couple of great films! :D

Check your e-mail! :))

Olive!!! You are here!

The answer about when life begins.

I do think his answer to the pastor was a little pathetic. I don’t think he should have put himself in that situation in the first place. But since he did, why isn’t he complaining (or having others complain) vehemently about the “cone of silence” thing?! I agree with the article that he must not be overly polite! Although I really appreciate that about him … He has the danger of being Kerry-esque.

Hmmm, intriguing. Email away! I’m leaving right now for lunch though …

I think friendship in general is more important than war. :)

Later, Ames … I still love your avatar. It’s so 50s-ish. Did you know I’m a graphic designer too?

LOL! McCain was young once upon a time

Interesting article - Obama was taking the high road by not grasping at straws and playing dirty, but it is true… this country wants to see a fight… maybe even the old Jerry Springer style! Sad, but true. I just hope he can do so intelligently. He got nailed with his comment about the McCain homes the other day. I was listening to a radio show last night where lots of screamers came on talking about how they found his comment personally offensive. LOL! After all the insignificant, low blows about Obama through McCain’s camp it just makes me laugh to hear these people yell. Amazing!

Yes… I think when someone’s got there mind made up they have their mind made up and have the support of others who also have their minds made up. I think it good you are backing away from that. I think your friendship with Fizz is more important in the long run. She seems like a sweet, thoughtful person.

LOL! I could tell you a few things about that Cooper! :)) But I’ll leave that for an e-mail!

Also Cooper is like-minded. :)

The link is not about McCain, except as opponent (bad paragraphing there …).

Oh God, it’s all too amazing. Yes McCain was cute - then – but so what? That doesn’t make him a hero, and neither does being a POW. Have you read this? http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2…

I know I’ll never change Fizz’s mind, and I’m vowing to never try again. I got riled up there!

I’m glad you and Maximina appreciate some of my posts.

Hi Florie,

Just wanted to say great posts! Interesting and thought provoking once again and you put a lot of time and research into them. I have to admire you for getting it out there.

I think its difficult to get messages across or to even alter a voter’s position or viewpoint. As we know background, upbringing and even one’s spouse can determine the way a person marks their ballot. Some people say they are non-partisan or moderate… but really I feel they are already pretty confident of what platform they support due to their values or beliefs. Being in the middle at first is a convenient way to say “I was thinking of voting for so and so… but he/she reallllllly disappointed me and if you agree with me just look at how he/she has failed in my view.” I have someone in my family like this. A lot of the time it is just snow blowing going on hiding the important stuff. Sometimes I think only if something political shakes up someone’s world personally or touches them directly will it have an effect on the way one votes. Good for you for posting Florie.

As someone just showed me media still plays a big role in our culture. I think this hero or fighting knight image is very important to most…

http://www.palshack.com/uploads/jsm_f…

+

http://www.solarnavigator.net/films_m…

Hmm… last thing we need is another knight become monarch that deceives the common folk like myself into believing he is working for our best interest when in fact he has his own best interests in mind.

Waiting to hear about Obama’s running mate!

Thanks Florie!

My sister just moved back east (where we are originally from) last summer though and so its kind of sad not having her around. :(

Nice! Cute sibs, too. :)

I am actually in this picture somewhere so you have an idea of the face behind the toon. I think its quite obvious… I like a good party! LOL!

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc…

LOL! Thank you! I think several people have thought I was a guy at one time or another. Its kind of funny and fun to have that sort of anonymity, but oh yes… I am a girl (the last time I checked!) :)) The cartoon is a self portrait of me …or something that looks a bit like me drawing. :))

Ames, I love your new avatar, and I now have to admit that all this time I thought you were a man. A very nice man … :)

Thank you for your words, Ames.

No…not at all useless to bring up. I think its good to get something out there whether or not people read it, understand it or appreciate the message. Maybe someone without some understanding will gain perspective from reading or viewing media and write-ups and form their own opinions from the information they have gathered. Unfortunately some people are brought up with such strong beliefs that they refuse to see the other side. I tend to be like this myself. I was brought up in a household of educators who are mostly liberal with some moderate leaning. My background has a lot to do with my values and beliefs and they way I look at and perceive related media.

America is about winning and the culture is based on heroes. Our movies, our video games, our comics, even our history texts are all about heroes or who struggled and fought to get to the top in society. If you are brought up watching movies like Terminator or Die Hard you get used to something like this being cool. A good guy with weapons of destruction vs. a bad guy with weapons of destruction. People are affected whether or not they admit it and some people are jaded by it. Its amazing the power that has over us …people go so far as wanting to be these characters. Speaking of celebrity McCain likes to make use of his past glory and portray himself as the honorable hero. Many people buy into this big time and call it “experience” without figuring in intelligence, diplomacy, effort or social graces - among other characteristics that are in the balance and come together to make a person a potential leader.

I understand your black mood as far as politics go. I am trying to see the good that some people are doing in the midst of all of the other stuff. Its hard when it gets clouded over by ignorance and tearing down of of the essential rights we once valued in this country. The fact that Bush is taking away birth control rights is outrageous! More unwanted pregnancies and more chaos! I automatically assume this will carry over to John McCain who is as unsupportive and even dodgy when it comes to a woman’s issues. Whatever happened to “We’ve come a long way baby!” ? Anyway …don’t want to encourage a downer. Just letting you know I do appreciate your posts and have a lot of respect for your points of view here.

I know, it’s useless to even bring it up. It’s amazing what has happened to our Constitution, our culture (hah!), our society & our world (although somehow I think it’s mainly America, among the so-called “first world” countries, that is so lame and getting lamer). Aaarg, I’m in a black mood. I’ve gotta get a grip.

Hey Florie,

Thanks for inviting me to your post. I would have responded there, but don’t have the energy to respond to people who are dead set on voting for McCain. While I respect his background I just can’t understand voting for someone who is just not very bright all around and temperamental if questioned (since he obviously doesn’t have the answers.) He is another puppet with strings attached to some of the same stuff going on over the last 8 years. I have also seen the silly ads and propaganda endorsed by John McCain. While I have seen videos out there of McCain that are just as nasty- I have yet to see one endorsed by Obama that would stoop so low. I have heard Obama’s response to some of the ads and believe he responded with intelligence and grace. Funny McCain accusing Obama of being a “celebrity” …don’t we have a couple of celebrity politicians in our history anyhow? Well, at least there are some celebrities who actually make a stand and do something make a difference out there. I think Obama is acting like the grown-up in this instance.

I also read this the other day and thought the writer put it aptly…

“McCain is using the same, old low road politics that voters are very unhappy about to distract voters from the real issues in this campaign. McCain is still trying to stoke the notion that Obama is too inexperienced to make judgments and to lead a country in times of war and economic straits.”

In my opinion if McCain is elected by the majority I suppose we can really expect to get what we deserve - 4 more years like the last 8 and we aren’t looking too well internationally or here at home economically (not to mention educationally.) With all his talk about fear and changes or that Obama might be an unfit or inexperienced leader - well I think the last 8 years have shown or proven to me what unfit and inexperienced means. Another 4 years like this - living in fear or even in debt?… now that is scary to me. But you already know where my vote is even if I there are some issues I don’t agree with Obama on.

I tend to think Obama is playing it cool. I feel maybe he isn’t as expressive because he would like to appeal to a larger audience. If he went to any extreme I think perhaps he might lose the confidence of some voters. It a balancing act many politicians probably have to play in order to be heard and to be influential over a larger population of voters. I think he does share his passion and soul and I get this in reading both “Dreams of My Father” and “Audacity of Hope.” I think he has learned something from those who came before him and is just using caution and not jumping on a bandwagon too quickly before giving it careful thought. Even some ideas that might seem good to some can end up throwing off the balance or resulting in some kind of backlash. But I definitely understand your feeling! True Kennedy and Martin Luther King were solid in their beliefs, persistent in reaching their goals and inspired a new generation of hope and change …I just think Obama may seem a bit more reserved to us because history glorifies the past and the forerunners or the people who paved the way …and it was most certainly a tougher road then.

Sometimes I am sorry lately that I think the comparison to Kennedy and MLK is really wrong. In the same vein, perhaps, but nothing so grand or inspiring. But there’s something he’s standing for, and I hope it’s really the real him standing there. He IS standing for hope and Intelligence (!) and the voice of reason, all of which is great, but I wish I could see his passion and his soul. Is there anything he really longs for? These are my thoughts of late, just a bit. I want more!

Those are great florie! Thank you for sharing.

I know sometimes its difficult for politicians to live up to everyone’s expectations, but I really think you have been right about Obama all along. He is truly intelligent and understands the meaning of “balance”. I think he is demonstrating or showing us his skills in diplomacy or negotiation just by being open and willing to work with or at least hear out his former rivals. This so called “experience” everyone is looking for is right there for everyone to see… and as far as politicians go it is quite positive. He is a natural teacher and a leader - and I think a leader doesn’t necessarily mean having all the power handed to you on a silver platter. I think a leader means experience in following and not forgetting that others out there are equals. A leader means really listening to others and offering some positive direction or guidance… being an inspiration. So far so good! I think he has done well in showing what a capable person he would be in the position of the presidency and that he would not abuse that position and bring us back to our Constitutional rights!

That “interview” wasn’t so good, but this endorsement by Jann Wenner is: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/… (2 pages)

Also, because I was just going through a wee period of doubt (not that I would ever vote for McCain), and thinking he’s not radical enough, not real enough. That he’s in cahoots, etc. Oh say it isn’t so. Did you look at the Rolling Stone issue, the photos: http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/ga… and the story: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/cove…
The photos make me smile. :) I really hope he’s good …

Hi florie,

No problem. I can see how it would get tiresome. I just know you and Max have some great insight on his character, platform and background. I totally understand its an energy zapper… kind of hard discussing it with some people because they already have a certain mind set or beliefs (some kind of crazy!) I like the ones about Obama being in cahoots with terrorists… that is just too funny. Sometimes its really not worth the discussion. LOL!

Cheers!

mm thanks I’m just not up to promoting Obama at the moment … maybe later. Did you write to Maximina? And Cooper?

Hey florie,

Thought maybe you would like to add something here? :D

http://help.com/post/175564-some-poli…

Not sure. I wonder myself.

yes, I saw … but who?

Hi Florie,

An Obama fan…

http://help.com/post/167749-im-so-ama…

Yay! So glad you liked it. I put up some quotes that I thought were inspirational in my life. I am always searching for meaningful quotes or suggestions as I remember my mom used to give me cards with quotes when I was going through hard times in my life. They are great reminders! I thought maybe they could give others a boost who come to my profile page. :)

Hi Ames. You have a great profile page! Wow. Much fun to look at.