Red Pencil Diaries

I have to share this with you all. Read below an actual, word-for-word copy of a back-and-forth email discussion between me and a republican woman on Myspace. Trust me. It's hilarious. The first is from her after I posted a comment about how disgusted I was at this video she played where people were saying it was true that Obama was a Muslim and that he wanted to change the American flag... The replies continue from there...

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
Date: Oct 24, 2008 1:42 PM

I see that ur angry at my bulletin(s) and have posted ur own, I can relate..
This is just a friendly question, from a Rep to a Dem.
What do u value so much in Obama? What views of his do u see as ur own? I am just wondering, if u don't want to answer I understand, but on the other hand u can ask me why I think what I do, if u want.
I am very stressed about this election, idk why ppl don't see why? I know u commented on my bulletin....but...did u read and watch it? I think it has very good POV's. I can understand being a Democrat, etc. but this man is not who we need to be president. Did u know that he won't wear a flag pin or look at a flag or say the alligence? Wow what patriotism! And his lovely wife...Hasn't been "proud" of this country till her husband ran for president. I cannot till this day even think of why they'd ever LET him run for president. That's just my opinion (of course) and I want to hear urs as crazy as it sounds. I want to know what the Democrats are thinking. I am sorry if this message has at all offended u, I apologize now for and inconvience. Thanks again and ur comments are alwasy welcome on my page or bullitens.
God Blees America,
Megan
----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Kim
Date: Oct 24, 2008 2:06 PM

First of all, Obama has been wearing a flag lapel pin. He even wore it in the debate. Second, the quote you gave from Michelle Obama was taken totally out of context and I have seen the speech she gave--she wasn't meaning it the way you seem to think. I would rather listen to Michelle Obama give an uplifting speech any day over that undereducated, anti-feminist woman Sarah Palin. It scares the bejesus out of me that people think she has enough brains to run the country should she have to.

I used to actually like McCain as a man and as a politician--about 6 years ago, I thought he was a decent politician, even standing up to the republicans on points he felt he needed to. But he's become another cog in the Karl Rove machine. It sickens me that he's changed all his beliefs just to try to win this election. He's cowed down to all the republican views and adopted them as his own. He's changed his mind on everything from the economy to health care.

I'm a feminist. I believe in the rights of women. I am all for Obama's tax plan. I believe the rich need more taxes, not less. And the middle class needs relief. I also approve of his plan for jumpstarting the economy by rewarding companies that create more jobs in this country and doing away with tax breaks for companies who send jobs overseas. We need jobs here in our country--not in India or China!

I could go on and on. I am not going to. I wish you could read just a bit on Obama and his plans for the future of our country. He is NOT the things you say he is. And McCain isn't all you believe he is, either. I've studied plenty on both sides. The crap I read on Obama that is being presented as facts by the republicans sickens me. Deeply. Obama has the decency not to present rumors as facts. I thought McCain was a bigger man. He's just another little man who bows down to the republican machine in hopes of them having the power to make him their leader. If he wanted to be president that badly, why didn't he "stick to his guns" and stay the way he was 5 years ago?

Kim

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
Date: Oct 24, 2008 3:23 PM

Thank u Kim, I enjoyed reading this.
HOwever, u are aware that I am in fact only 26 and new at politics, I'll give u that. I didn't know McCain 5 yrs ago and nor do I know him now..
You never answered my question tho, did u in fact look at the video about the flag pin? What's this "lapel pin" crap. That's not a flag, it's a symbol which has the colors red white and blue in it. No stars and stripes as the flag declares. Also in my bulletin is a video of Obama remaining silent as we sang the star spangled banner....wtf? Come on u can't tell me that does not affect u?
I can understand about the war, no one likes to lose troops (for no reason some may think) but freedom isn't free. I know it's misleading because it say free in the word, but like McCain said we didn't get this way by sharing....
Ok so Obama and McCain both make promises, but who's to say EITHER one of them has our best interest in mind? At least I know McCain isn't a possible terrorist. I say that b/c it's clear to me he doesn't like the US the way it is and wants to "change" it, are u sure u know what his "changes" are? Don't like the flag, won't respect it, he is Muslim as the terrorists and he wants to take away the right to defend urself by owning a gun.
Other than slander do u have any other reasons for Obama??

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Kim
Date: Oct 24, 2008 4:34 PM

I'm tired of this. I KNOW what Obama stands for. In the debate, he did wear a flag on his lapel. Go check the video.

Yes, he does wear the symbol of his campaign. I think it's a nice symbol. He's not wanting to change the flag. WTF gave you that idea? More republican propaganda, I am sure.

Read up on McCain. He's not what you think he is. He may be republican. But he flips and flops on his platform and his voting record. He goes against republicans in one breath, then shares the views of the party in the next. And he's just out to try to be president to make Daddy and Grandpa FINALLY proud of him for once in his screwed up life.

Obama is an american, through and through. Just because he doesn't look like you (and yes, I mean WHITE) doesn't mean he's not. He is NOT Muslim and in fact goes to church (a Christian church!) and practices his faith more than McCain ever has. It doesn't matter though. This country isn't Christian--and I am not either. There are MANY religions in this country. We all have to live here together and someone's religious affiliation should have NOTHING to do with the political background or how they are perceived by the people of our country.

That video means nothing. It's a bunch of crap taken out of context to try to prove something that isn't true.

I could send you hundreds of videos that show the contrary on many points. I'm just tired of sparring with you. Dear, I've been involved in and studying politics for a very long time. I've been seriously voting since I was 18. I know a lot about the candidates I vote for--I don't just choose them based on whether they are a democrat or a republican. I have voted both ways. I suggest you do your own homework. If someone tells you something, don't take it for face value--go look it up until you feel satisfied with the answer. That's what I do. And that's why I've grown increasingly dissatisfied with what the republicans have been throwing out there. Mistruths, rumors and out and out lies.

I'm done. I won't change your mind. I just hope I can convince you to do your own research and not just take word for word what you see in some propaganda video or on someone else's Myspace page. Read up on the platforms for each of the candidates. Listen to their speeches from months ago. Make notes. Then go with the one that makes sense to you. You think Obama is against the war--he isn't, he just wants it to be for the right reasons and have a timeline for troop removal. And that makes total sense to me.

Kim
----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
Date: Oct 25, 2008 12:09 AM

Your "tired" of this? Ha! tsk tsk Demmie that's not of ur nature. As for u to ask as if I'm a child, I laugh at u silly woman, I am as much woman as u and know exactly what the fuck I am doing. Don't shit ur self I'm not blind u obviously didn't do ur homework now or in school. I watch that asshole give a public I said PUBLIC statement about WHY he WONT where it! Get a clue, ur vote democrate because that's what u are. And ur obviously not content or strong minded enough to have a simple conversation, just like Obama u think ur better than someone. Obama won't win don't get ur hopes up. He wrote books on his Muslim religion miss smarty pants...read em. I don't care what COLOR he is or Republican or NOT! Damn it he isn't American. If u don't see it now u will in the near future. U only know what these ppl want u too know, are u in congress or the white house? Well then u can quit preach cause u don't know shit for sure. I am tired of these lame asss democrats. Rather kill an unborn child than our enemies that killed thousands of Americans yrs ago. Ur stupid ass president wana be doesn't even know we how many states we have in the US let's make him president, u make me sick I want to puke. Move to Africa where he grew up if u want his kind of bullshit. Wanna talk hate? That's all he heard about for 20 yrs in his church which is not Christian miss thing. U go read up till ur damn eyes fall out. U watch ur news abbe, u can see live I don't need "propaganda videos, blogs, bullitens etc. I am American I know American and ur not either. Good bye and good luck with being like Obama.

Megan, one damn solid Republican who don't believe in SHARING the wealth, hope ur not fond of ur own! LOL
----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Kim
Date: Oct 25, 2008 8:33 AM

How funny... you can tell me off, but you can't spell worth shit. Now who is the silly woman?

Go back to school. You obviously need it.

I am not giving up. I'm just giving up all hope on people like you. Hard headed, believe anything they read or hear, but never really learn the truth.

Just wait. When Obama is president you will see. Just a few more days now.

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
Date: Oct 25, 2008 6:23 PM

What's funny is off all things u have to crack on spelling, that's what happens to someome who's typing fast. It's not an education problem as is urs.
Get over urself, and listen carefully....
I don't "just liten" to other people I watch the news like everyone else.
Act like a Democrat and put ur tail back between ur legs and cower like the man u will vote for!
I can go on for days, don't point fingers babe u ain't perfect =]

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Dear, you vastly underestimate me. I don't back down. EVER. Just ask my real friends. And I'm far from perfect. I never said I was. But I'm the most honest, upfront, and straight-forward person you would ever meet. Too bad you'll never get the chance to know me.

There is no reason for me to even listen to you. You make no sense. You yammer on like an idiot. I enjoy having intelligent conversations with my other friends about political issues. But at least they point out facts and tell me the reasons why they are voting republican--they actually do research and point out tax incentives, energy programs, and parts of the platform that they agree with. I'm so tired of your petty "blame" making and rumor-mongering.

You're just an angry, small-minded person. I have MANY things I could "crack" on about you, but your pathetic spelling is what stands out most in your emails.

You can call me any names you want. You can say anything you want about me. I know what is true. I know what I stand for. And I am proud of that. I don't really care about any of your opinions.

You just want me to go back and forth with you because you get some kind of childish thrill. Well sayonara, dear.

I don't make friends with people who can't think for themselves.

To the cowardly republican freaks who destroyed our two Obama yard signs, someday karma will get you back. I truly believe it. Dave and I donated good money to the Obama fund to get those signs. We waited a month for them to arrive and then proudly displayed them along the road in our yard. They lasted just over two weeks. There will be no replacements--the democratic committee's office here in town has run out because there is such a high demand for them. All that remains are the mangled metal sticks rising from the ground where they once stood.

The asswipes didn't bother our other sign for democrat Baron Hill for congress. Nor did they bother any of the McCain/Palin signs down the street.

I'm quite sure it was some racist, uneducated, jerk who actually BELIEVES that Obama is an "arab" and took their frustrations out on the signs IN MY OWN YARD. They probably drive a giant truck that gets 5 miles to the gallon and is plastered with W and McCain/Palin stickers.

America is all about freedom--we were exercising our freedom of speech. But that has just been taken from us. How sad that someone can just vandalize your property and walk away and feel as if they've done something good for their country. Bastards!

This list is interesting. There are a few things on it that I might question (knowing how to drop down a steep hill on a dirt bike? Is that truly practical?), but most of it makes sense. And I thank God every day that I have a husband who is super handy. He's my handy man. He can do it all. He even helped me sew up a friend's Halloween costume after I had agreed to take up the sleeves and couldn't get it done right. He's amazing.

The economy is sucking. For the past few years, Dave and I have lived pretty comfortably. We don't take elaborate vacations and most every free penny we have had has been sunk back into this money pit of a house. But we ate out when we wanted, splurged on fancy foods at the grocery, and never really considered how much we spent per month on milk. Now... things are a tad different.

We have two growing children. The cost of feeding us all (and keeping us in clothing since they are growing like weeds) has gone up quite a bit. We're not really *hurting*, but we now have to think about our spending. I used to not think anything about taking a trip to Target to buy necessities and end up buying a shirt for me, a toy for Zack, some shoes for Lola, and a ton of clearance items that I *had* to have. When I shop now, I take a list. I stick to what's on my list. We still spend a lot on finishing our house, but the price of doing so has gone way up. So cutting corners where we can makes sense. I try to cook at home more. I buy a lot of the kids play clothes at thrift stores. I also have taken to selling a lot of stuff on ebay.

I've also taken to shopping for groceries at Aldi. It's a nice, clean store. No big brand names. But I can get a gallon of milk for $1.99 regular price--that comes in handy when I buy two gallons per week. I pick up the daily essentials and basics there--bread, milk, cheese, carrots, onions, cereal, etc. If I need other foods for recipes for the week, I make a trip to Meijer or Walmart or Target. It seems to be working out for us. If only Aldi carried name brand soft drinks, I'd be set. Oh, and coffee pods for my Senseo!

We were talking about Halloween coming up and how we were going to go to Jellystone Campground in Cave City to stay in the cabins with our family (and see the cousins--we call all of the nieces and nephews "the cousins"). Then Zack added, "Cousin Baddy will be Cheese Boy." And I ask, "Who?" Zack says "Cousin Baddy. The one with the rainbow car. I told you about him last night when I was making cracker raisin pie."

Yeah.... I still have NO idea what he was talking about. But it made me chuckle for quite awhile. And by the way, who is Cheese Boy?

I have phases I go through where I feel stuck in my life. It's not that I hate being with my children, but more that I feel like my brain is atrophying and I'm not challenged in the right ways. And yes, often times I'm lonely--I don't seem to fit in completely with most of the other moms out there. And I have a difficult time making and keeping friends these days. But this article kind of hits the nail on the head in terms of my unhappiness with my line of work. Of course, I have no real way to "get out of Rome." But at least I've identified the cause of my frustration.

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This guy listed ways to love your wife. I couldn't agree more.

I've been feeling down this week, but today I read Tony's blog and started thinking of things I'm thankful for... and that helped me feel better. Here goes my list:

* Zack and Lola

* My husband

* Friends who try to cheer you up when you need it

* Having the windows open on a cool fall day

* Coffee with splenda

* Dave finishing his two tests for school last night

* Happy Meal toys

* Rediscovering how much I love the thai peanut salad dressing at Mai's restaurant

* Goodwill stores and thrift stores

* Watching my daughter "pretend" play with baby dolls and her baby doll stroller--she even gave her "baby" a sippy cup! So cute!

* Hearing about all the great things Zack is learning at preschool

* Afternoon naps

* Clean sheets

* Bare Minerals makeup

* Shiny nail polish

* Trading in my sandals for fall shoes

* Less humidity

* Ebay

* Halloween coming soon

* Getting to go out Friday night and try to forget my troubles!

I'm sure there are tons more things to be thankful for, but I must go now and put away my clean laundry.