Inauguration ’09: Military Families

January 19, 2009 by 1 Comment

crossposted at BlogHer.com

Millions are descending here on Washington, D.C. for reasons that are as vast and varied as our country.

Line for #inaug09 tickets at Cannon building

I’ve met politicians and parents, teachers and truckers. Standing in line waiting for tickets to the swearing-in, you can really get a feel for what may come tomorrow. The community is forming as line mates talk to one another and tell their story: why they came to see Barack Obama sworn-in and how they got here.

Just one of those stories is from one of our very own BlogHer’s. Stephanie Himel-Nelson, aka LawyerMama, along with Vivian Greentree are here representing Blue Star Families for Obama. Stephanie and Vivian spoke with me about their mission and their anticipation for an Obama Administration.

More from DC soon!

Erin Kotecki Vest also blogs at Queen of Spain blog

Filed Under: BlogHer

Inauguration ’09: The Emily’s List Luncheon

January 19, 2009 by 1 Comment

crossposted at BlogHer.com

BlogHer’s inaugural festivities are kicking off exactly as they should: with a line-up of amazing women.

Emily’s List has brought together Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton, Homeland Security Secretary-designate Janet Napolitano, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Secretary of Labor-designate Hilda Solis, Senator Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Governor-elect Bev Perdue of North Carolina.

The “Power to Change: A Celebration of the 2008 Election” Emily’s List Inaugural Luncheon had me turning on my camera every other minute to capture all the fabulous women in attendance.

While we filed into our seats, I was lucky enough to speak with Feminist Majority Foundation’s Eleanor Smeal about that infamous Ms. magazine cover.

While Clinton, Pelosi, Napolitano, and others were all amazing speakers and had the crowd on it’s feet, no one brought the house down like Congresswoman Gwen Moore as she praised Pelosi and introduced Secretary of Labor designate Hilda Solis.

More from DC soon!

Filed Under: BlogHer

PlayDates and Politics

January 14, 2009 by 5 Comments

I am reading Barack Obama’s letter to his daughters and, of course, tearing up.

My son, peering over my shoulder, asks me about Malia and Sasha and wants to know “Can we go to their house and play with them? It would be fun.”

I try to explain that I am sure the President will be busy with work and the girls have school, but this does not deter the 5-year old who says, “but we can just go on a not school day, and maybe it’s ok if their Dad isn’t there.”

I again tried to put into words how their lives will change and how they may not be able to have a playdate with the Vest kids…but he just sort of looked at me blankly.

How do you explain this sacrifice to a child?

I think, in the letter, Obama says it best,

“I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.”

I don’t know any parent who does not feel the same, but not all are willing to do what Barack and Michelle have done.

Thank you Obama family, for missing playdates…and then some.

Filed Under: Count Waffles, Feeling YaYa

I’m Headed To DC

January 13, 2009 by 10 Comments

crossposted at BlogHer.com

A week from today Barack Obama will make history and BlogHer will be there.

I’m headed to DC to give BlogHer’s a look at what is going on in and around the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States.

As a democrat I am thrilled, but as a women I must admit I’m over the moon. Working with both campaigns throughout the election I gained some insight into our President-elect that I believe makes the new Ms. magazine cover true:

New Ms. magazine cover

An Obama campaign staffer shared with me a very telling tidbit one day long ago during the election. I was pushing staff to get me an interview with Michelle Obama, I wanted to discuss women’s issues. I wanted to discuss motherhood and working, balance, family leave, Roe, affordable daycare…all those things women tend to deal with.

Of course I assumed Michelle was a perfect fit for this interview, seeing as she has dealt with all these issues on a personal basis and on a practical basis with her husband dealing directly in policy. A natural fit for Michelle to talk to BlogHer…made sense.

But what I got back from the staffer was something I wasn’t expecting. To paraphrase, I was told Michelle did not want to be the face of “Women for Obama” or it’s spokeswoman….why? Because her husband was just a big a feminist as she was, and just as involved in the day to day struggles as she was, and HE should champion these causes as the man running for office, while she did her part as well.

It seems Michelle firmly believed she was not alone in her balance and family issues and entirely believed her husband understood and was on top of it. He needed to be a feminist and should be one.

Of course it was then BlogHer got it’s interview, not with the First Lady to be, but with our President-Elect.

As Eleanor Smeal writes,

“…he ran on the strongest platform for women’s rights of any major party in American history. Feminist Karen Kornbluh, the platform’s principle author, ensured women’s rights, opportunities, advancement, and issues were addressed throughout the historic document.”

And with women in mind, I head to DC.

While in there I plan on attending as many women focused events as I can muster and bring you reaction, feelings, and expectations. I’ll be talking to women at the Emily’s List luncheon on Sunday, January 18th. I’ll sit down with Progressive women at the NetRoots Nation party on Monday, January 19th, and I’ll bring you this BlogHer’s reaction from Capitol Hill on Tuesday, January 20th as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

There are events all over to celebrate this historic event from a day of service as described by Michelle Obama

to “un”official concerts, parties, and neighborhood balls.

Join me here at BlogHer as I report back on everything I see and hear. I’ll take on those crowds and broadcast live when possible. I’ll blog with YOU in mind and with women at the center of one of the most historic events in our lifetime.

Filed Under: BlogHer, Obama '08

meh

January 12, 2009 by 1 Comment

Monday can #suckit. I’m busy. Open thread or…something.

Filed Under: #suckit

No Longer A Virgin

January 8, 2009 by 9 Comments

Today I sat in a cushy waiting room, filled with tea and cookies and baskets with pink ribbons.

Unexpectedly I found myself in a robe with women who seemed older, but probably were not.

I waited my turn for what I was later told was ‘what us big girls do’ and silently told myself it was nothing.

It was nothing.

But for many it’s something.

The woman next to me maybe. Or the one that went in after.

I left with instructions on how to care for a swollen duct and relief. They left with tears and referrals.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.3 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer annually.  Worldwide about 465,000 will die from the disease.

Consider this your reminder to get a mammogram.

Filed Under: Feeling YaYa

Dead Fish Alert

January 7, 2009 by 10 Comments

We had a floater.

Time of Death: somewhere between breakfast and dinner

Kids: seem to think it’s sleeping, refuse to believe otherwise

Mom: paranoid the other three won’t make it to Monday and the return of school

Teacher: super cool and understanding

Husband: mocking

Maybe I should have kept a webcam on these fish. Clearly I can’t be trusted.

Filed Under: By Order of the Charter

Leon Panetta? Huh? What Year Is This?

January 6, 2009 by 6 Comments

crossposted at BlogHer

Well excuse me while I put my flannel back on and rip my jeans. Apparently the 90’s are back.

The New York Times reports Leon Panetta, former Clinton White House chief of staff, will be named CIA director.

“Democratic officials said Mr. Obama had selected Mr. Panetta for his managerial skills, his bipartisan standing, and the foreign policy and budget experience he gained under President Bill Clinton. Mr. Panetta has himself been a sharp critic of the agency’s interrogation practices.”

But let’s be honest, most of us are scratching our heads over this one. Panetta has limited intelligence experience, at best. And while President-elect Obama is touting the pick (unofficially) as someone who would not tell him what he wants to hear, but what he needs to know…I can’t help but turn on some grunge music and wonder how this position came to be filled.

Was this part of the great Clinton negotiation?

Is this an old school pick or an unusual pick meant to push change in the CIA?

Mcjoan at Daily Kos writes, “This appointment is a bit out of left field, but it is encouraging in several ways: Obama wasn’t swayed by the intelligence community’s all-out effort to put a current CIA type into the position–an effort aimed at maintaining and/or justifying Bush policies, including torture. Instead, Obama went for someone with proven management skills, something that it desperately needed in the position. But the best news in all of this–Leon Panetta is a much of a departure from torture as you could want.”

This is a plus, because I land firmly in the “torture sucks” crowd.

However my California Senator Diane Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, seems ticked:

“My position has consistently been that I believe the agency is best served by having an intelligence professional in charge at this time,” she said.

Lez Get Real writes, “From 1997 to 2000 I was employed by the National Security Agency as an analyst and I am getting feed back from those in the know about this appointment and they are saying that many intelligence and defense insiders are up in arms about this… Several top ranked members of the Intelligence Agency have also stated that they would leave their position if Panetta were confirmed.”

Which makes me go…uh oh.

Kathy from Comments From Left Field notes the righties are outraged seeing the pick as an “anti-torture” statement.

However, even if the CIA insiders (and the righties) are pissed, the President is STILL the President, and their job remains to gather intelligence and report TO the President.

Will there be unnecessary pissing matching by the big boys because their guy didn’t get picked? Probably. Will they make life more difficult for the new administration and moan and whine a bit? Probably.

Will they stop doing their job and put our country in danger? I’d hope not.

Contributing Editor Erin Kotecki Vest also blogs at Queen of Spain Blog

Filed Under: BlogHer
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