She doesn’t want the shine of bright lights to end. Sarah, not satisfied to remain in her own empire of the Great White North, takes every opportunity to grab the spotlight. Smile, wave, walk for the cameras, Sarah.

Yes, she’s attractive, I will not debate that point. But then the gal opens her mouth and all thoughts of “beauty and brains” ends. She may be able to WOW the crowd and get them to chant, “Sarah, Sarah, Sarah” but substance is definitely lacking.

Sarah was interviewed on June 8 by Sean Hannity (he is a safer choice than the “drive-by media” diva Katie Couric) where Sarah used wonderful, descriptive euphemisms:

“It’s so good to be here in your stomping grounds”

“We said, you know, we’ll dig into there, and we will make sure that we know what those strings are.”

“So we saw the fat strings attached to these dollars, the least of which is the contribution to the federal government’s dizzying debt that we’re handing to our kids.”

“Well, I vetoed a bucket of the money, not a whole lot, we did accept education dollars and infrastructure dollars, but dollars that were tied to universal energy building codes for Alaska, kind of a one-size-fits-all building code that isn’t going to work up there in Alaska and really prohibits opportunity to build and to develop, and just wasn’t going to work up there in Alaska, so I vetoed a bucket of that money.”

“America is digging a deeper hole, and how are we paying for this government largesse? We’re borrowing from China, and when you consider that now we own 60 percent of General Motors or the U.S. government does, consider, but who is the U.S. government becoming more and more indebted to?”

That is just a few of the sound-bytes from the Hannity interview. If Palin wants to be taken seriously by the American people, perhaps she should begin with a Sylvan Learning Center vocabulary course. Following that, a class on American politics would be in order.

She believes her “down home”, “round the kitchen table”, talk will endear her to the American public. Sarah, that might be an attractive trait in Wasilla Alaska, but in the nation’s capitol, it just makes you look like a “back-woods hick.”

Keep smiling and waving to your fans…I doubt any of those who scream your name at speaking engagements are planning to cast their vote for you as president in 2012. Instead, spend your time in Alaska, getting your constituents to support you for another term as governor – you aren’t “movin’ on up.”

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=4732718&blogId=493401944

To set the stage, I will reiterate the Logan Act was crafted in 1799.

As quoted in West’s Encyclopedia of American Law: The Logan Act has remained almost unchanged and unused since its passage. The act is short and reads as follows:

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This Act came into being as Dr. George Logan sailed to France to attempt to negotiate better relations between the US and France. Due to his involvement, the French government lifted the trade embargo which allowed less animosity on the high seas.

Instead of returning to the United States as complete hero, the Republican Party praised him while Federalists Party raised criticism. President Adams, the only American Federalist Party president, immediately enacted the Logan Act to prevent a private citizen from interfering in international affairs.

Fast forward to 2008 and Timothy Geithner and US-China relations. The New York Times reported:

Mr. Geithner held high-level talks on Tuesday with some of China’s top leaders, including President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, and said in an interview that Beijing had not lost faith in the United States economy.

“What I sense is a fair amount of confidence in the underlying strength of the American economy,” Mr. Geithner told reporters in a Tuesday morning briefing.

The visit came amid growing worries in China over the state of the American economy and the prospect that heavy government spending and ballooning deficits in the United States could eventually weaken the dollar and destroy the value of China’s extensive United States Treasury holdings.

The question Frankie raises, “it APPEARS that Mr. Geitner [sic] may have broken the law.” My response: Absolutely not!

Timothy Geithner is NOT a private citizen at this point; he is Treasury Secretary in the Obama Cabinet. He traveled to China to communicate with Chinese leadership in light of the US economy. Whether we, as citizens, like it or not, China has an interest in the US economy. Timothy Geithner didn’t create this, nor did President Obama. This situation has developed over a number of US Administrations and now the Obama Administration must move forward to lead the US toward a healthier, more solvent financial situation.

When President Adams enacted the Logan Act, life was very different in this young country; and Dr. Logan was not a authorized in any way to represent the country. This is a marked difference in circumstances of 1799 vs. 2009. In my opinion, Geithner HAS NOT broken the law.

So, what happened to Dr. Logan?  According to Wikipedia: Subsequently, Logan himself was appointed and then elected as a Democratic-Republican to the United States Senate from Pennsylvania to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Peter G. Muhlenberg and served from July 13, 1801, to March 3, 1807. He was unsuccessful in getting the Logan Act repealed. Logan declined to be a candidate for reelection. Nonetheless, despite the Logan Act, he went to England in 1810 on a private diplomatic mission as an emissary of peace in the period before the outbreak of the War of 1812, but was not successful. Seems he didn’t learn his lesson.

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=4732718&blogId=492812125

Alexandra’s Response:

Today is a first – Alexandra Ames was singled out in another’s blog, being begged to defend her stand of President Barack Obama. I would like to say to my friend, Frankie, I am HONORED to be singled out in your blog! We have our differences, but remain respectful and I appreciate that about you! I take your comment “back up your claims” seriously, and I shall.

In April 2009, President Obama was quoted as saying America is predominately a Christian nation, stating “[O]ne of the great strengths of the United States is — although as I mentioned, we have a very large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.” [quoted from The Washington Times]

Yesterday, as OUR President (and I take that pronoun very seriously) traveling to the Middle East. Mr. Obama noted that the United States also could be considered as “one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.” (quoted from The New York Times).

He goes on to say ““What I want to do is to create a better dialogue so that the Muslim world understands more effectively how the United States, but also how the West thinks about many of these difficult issues like terrorism, like democracy, to discuss the framework for what’s happened in Iraq and Afghanistan and our outreach to Iran, and also how we view the prospects for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.”

And the piece de resistance that you are referring to in your blog, “And one of the points I want to make is, is that if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we’d be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world,” Mr. Obama said. “And so there’s got to be a better dialogue and a better understanding between the two peoples.”

My friend, Frankie, and many of the conservative members of our country (read Right-Wing Republicans) want to take this statement “Muslim Americans” and religious-ize it. I do not believe that is the context in which the statement was made. Muslim, although a religion, has a more comprehensive connotation to it than religion. When referring to the Jewish nation, was Obama referencing only Orthodox Jews? When speaking of the Christian nation, did he mean the Catholics or Protestants or Jehovah Witness or Mormons?

The English language has so many facets and meanings that one umbrella term, such as Muslim, brings very different suggestions to the listener.

There is a bigger question here that skims the surface of any discussion about religion. Are we a Christian nation? Our Constitution specifically denies the institution of a state religion. Therefore, to be a Christian nation would run counter to our very beginnings. Demographically, the Middle Eastern, Muslim heritage people are increasing in the United States, along with the Hispanic population and others who have come to this great country for a chance at a better life.

Isn’t that exactly what was promised to those escaping religious persecution when the band of misfits left jolly ole England to find a country without the restraints of state-imposed devotion to the Church of England and the crown?

This discussion of Obama’s loyalties hearkens back to the early campaign when many of the churches were attempting to incite fear of the Muslim Barak Hussein Obama and his plan to change America into a Muslim-religion country. As he opens dialogue with other countries and discusses our similarities in addition to our differences, are we going to return to the fear of WHO he has shown he isn’t?

Barak Obama IS my president, not the anti-christ NOR anti-Christian. Look around – America is comprised of people of many colors, nationalities, and beliefs. We now have a President who is willing to look at our strengths and our weaknesses; one who wants to open doors rather than slam them shut. I, for one, am willing to support my President and speak for the rich diversity America is and continues to be.

Check out www.readprint.com

You won’t regret it!

This seems to be true of either major political party – the Democrats and the Republicans are equally guilty. In fact, the party pointing out the lack of follow-through tends to look like a case of “sour grapes.” When the Republicans now point fingers at President Obama there seems to be a aura of “na na boo boo” that he won’t do what he said he would.

I want to fairly look at Obama’s record thus far, keeping in mind that he has been in office slightly more than 100 days. I believe it is impossible for solutions to be put in place so quickly when it took many years to make the mess. However, I am willing to look at the progress (following quote www.politifact.com)

The Obameter Scorecard

Promise Kept ………..29

Compromise…………..8

• Promise Broken………6

• Stalled……………………..8
• In the Works…………..62
• 
  

• No Action……………..401

Promises Kept:

No. 15: Create a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners

No. 36: Expand loan programs for small businesses

No. 40: Extend and index the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch

No. 58: Expand eligibility for State Children’s Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)

No. 76: Expand funding to train primary care providers and public health practitioners

No. 125: Direct military leaders to end war in Iraq

No. 134: Send two additional brigades to Afghanistan

No. 174: Give a speech at a major Islamic forum in the first 100 days of his administration

No. 222: Grant Americans unrestricted rights to visit family and send money to Cuba

No. 224: Restore funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program

No. 239: Release presidential records

No. 241: Require new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliation or contributions.

No. 278: Remove more brush, small trees and vegetation that fuel wildfires

No. 290: Push for enactment of Matthew Shepard Act, which expands hate crime law to include sexual orientation and other factors

No. 307: Create a White House Office on Urban Policy

No. 327: Support increased funding for the NEA

No. 346: Appoint an assistant to the president for science and technology policy

No. 371: Fund a major expansion of AmeriCorps

No. 411: Work to overturn Ledbetter vs. Goodyear

No. 427: Ban lobbyist gifts to executive employees

No. 452: Weatherize 1 million homes per year

No. 458: Invest in all types of alternative energy

No. 459: Enact tax credit for consumers for plug-in hybrid cars

No. 480: Support high-speed rail

No. 498: Provide grants to encourage energy-efficient building codes

No. 502: Get his daughters a puppy

No. 503: Appoint at least one Republican to the cabinet

No. 507: Extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits

No. 513: Reverse restrictions on stem cell research

Compromise:

No. 3: Eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses and start-ups

No. 5: Expand the earned income tax credit

No. 32: Create a tax credit of $500 for workers

No. 257: Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit to offset college costs

No. 365: Appoint experienced disaster official to head FEMA

No. 434: Set a three-month moratorium on foreclosures

No. 512: Go “line by line” over earmarks to make sure money being spent wisely

No. 515: No family making less than $250,000 will see “any form of tax increase.”

Promises Broken:

No. 24: End income tax for seniors making less than $50,000

No. 234: Allow five days of public comment before signing bills

No. 240: Tougher rules against revolving door for lobbyists and former officials

No. 505: Create a $3,000 tax credit for companies that add jobs

No. 508: Allow penalty-free hardship withdrawals from retirement accounts in 2008 and 2009

No. 511: Recognize the Armenian genocide

Stalled:

No. 34: Enforce pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget rules

o. 177: Close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center

No. 178: Develop an alternative to President Bush’s Military Commissions Act on handling detainees

No. 293: Call for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy

No. 313: Allow bankruptcy judges to modify terms of a home mortgage

No. 407: Limit subsidies for agribusiness

No. 446: Enact windfall profits tax for oil companies

No. 501: Sign the Freedom of Choice Act

In The Works:

No. 1: Increase the capital gains and dividends taxes for higher-income taxpayers

No. 2: Eliminate all oil and gas tax loopholes

No. 4: Extend child tax credits and marriage-penalty fixes

No. 21: Require automatic enrollment in 401(k) plans

No. 22: Require automatic enrollment in IRA plans

No. 27: Change standards for determining broadband access

No. 28: Create a consumer-friendly credit card rating system

No. 31: Create a $60 billion bank to fund roads and bridges

No. 33: Establish a credit card bill of rights

No. 37: Extend the Bush tax cuts for lower incomes

No. 38: Repeal the Bush tax cuts for higher incomes

No. 39: Phase out exemptions and deductions for higher earners

No. 59: Invest in electronic health information systems

No. 67: Implement and fund proven health intervention programs

No. 70: Eliminate the higher subsidies to Medicare Advantage plans

No. 72: Prevent drug companies from blocking generic drugs

No. 84: Double federal funding for cancer research

No. 106: Expand Veterans Centers in rural areas

No. 114: Reduce the Veterans Benefits Administration claims backlog

No. 115: Institute electronic record-keeping for the Veterans Benefits Administration

No. 117: Launch a supportive services-housing program for veterans to prevent homelessness

No. 126: Begin removing combat brigades from Iraq

No. 128: Launch robust diplomatic effort with Iraq and its neighbors

No. 135: Increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps

No. 144: End the “Stop-Loss” program of forcing troops to stay in service beyond their expected commitments

No. 155: Review weapons programs

No. 159: Set standards for when the government should hire defense contractors

No. 161: End the abuse of supplemental budgets for war

No. 170: Double U.S. spending on foreign aid to $50 Billion a year by 2012

No. 171: Establish a Global Education Fund

No. 175: End the use of torture

No. 176: End the use of extreme rendition

No. 196: Extend monitoring and verification provisions of the START I Treaty

No. 203: Develop a comprehensive cyber security and response strategy

No. 218: Increase the size of the foreign service

No. 243: Expand Early Head Start and Head Start

No. 259: Reduce subsidies to private student lenders and protect student borrowers

No. 275: Expand Pell grants for low-income students

No. 286: Secure the borders

No. 299: Eliminate disparity in sentencing for crack and cocaine

No. 306: Push for a college football playoff system

No. 319: Fully fund the COPS program

No. 343: Improve climate change data records

No. 373: Encourage community service through online outreach and social networking

No. 391: Appoint the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer

No. 392: Expand broadband’s reach

No. 393: Double federal funding for basic science research over 10 years

No. 405: Create White House performance team and chief performance officer

No. 421: Appoint an American Indian policy adviser

No. 422: Create new financial regulations

No. 430: Pressure Sudan to end violence in Darfur

No. 439: Create 5 million “green” jobs

No. 449: Raise fuel economy standards

No. 455: Work with UN on climate change

No. 456: Create cap and trade system with interim goals to reduce global warming

No. 463: Require more energy-efficient appliances

No. 464: Reduce energy consumption in federal buildings

No. 469: Require federal fleet to be half hybrids or electrical cars

No. 476: Modernize the nation’s electricity grid and use “smart grid” practices

No. 478: Modernize air traffic system

No. 481: Support airline service in small towns

No. 514: Ensure that stem cell research is conducted ethically and with vigorous oversight

What a list! This doesn’t include the 401 “No Action” items… but you can go to www.politifacts.com and read those 401 PLUS commentary on the 99 items listed above. Does this mean that Obama is ineffective, or worse yet, lied to the American people?

You will have to make that decision for yourself. As for me, I am willing to give our president a little more time before stating that he misled the American voters. He is making progress. I am still hopeful for a positive outcome.

What do YOU think?

Today the local news station previewed a “new treatment” as breaking news. Of course I listened in and then followed up with a little research. There was good news and bad news and many more questions than answers.

The drug discussed today is Campath – 1H (generic name alemtuzumab). Campath is a chemotherapy drug used for treatment of leukemia and also for organ transplant rejection.

You may say to yourself, “A chemotherapy drug for MS?” This is not a new concept. For years my neurologist has tried to convince me of the benefit of Novantrone (mitoxantrone). I seriously looked into the possibility of Novantrone – there seems to be benefit to that. Many who allow this royal blue tinged chemical into their bloodstream experience a dramatic turnaround of symptoms. My neurologist tells me that I could very possibly walk without my forearm crutch as many are able to leave their wheelchairs behind.

Sounds good, right? With the good also comes the not so good. After more research, I discovered the limitations of Novantrone. There is a limit to the number of treatments that can be given due to the toxicity to the heart muscle (numbers vary, but the range is 6 to 10 treatments). The cardiac toxicity is not always immediately apparent and the toxicity builds cumulatively in the body. In fact, it is estimated that use of the chemotherapy drug Novantrone can take as many as 10 years off the recipient’s life. Also, the alleviation of symptoms is not always permanent – the MS can still progress after Novantrone treatments are discontinued.

Will Campath – 1H have the same side effects as Novantrone? I don’t know. I’m not a medical professional. I understand this drug, currently in Phase III trials, shows great promise for curbing the progression of the disease. It is being tested on patients newly diagnosed (without much disability progression). Much will be learned through the trials and, following FDA approval, common use in neurological medical practices throughout the world.

Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable disease. After diagnosis it is easy to be caught up in the idea of disability and loss of quality of life. I remember those first months after receiving news of this diagnosis. Every book I could find discussed the progression, the loss of ability, the inevitable death of the patient.

I read all the wrong books! Yes, those things happen – but most people who are diagnosed die WITH the disease, not FROM the disease. I have experienced loss of ability, but I have learned to live with anything I’ve lost. I still work full-time, I am an effective mother to my children, I live a full, interesting, wonderful life. I have dreams and hopes – I REFUSE to let MS run or ruin my life!

There are many treatments out there – Interferon injections, chemotherapy agents, medications for symptoms, and the treatment I use, Tysabri. All of these treatments have their own side effects, negative and positive outcomes. The one thing I know is that anyone who lives with this condition makes the best decision they can, along with their physician.

A cure? I am hoping for one every single day. Until then, I will continue to live my life to the fullest potential and refuse to give up.

I am including some helpful links below. If you are living with MS and want to contact me, feel free to do so.

Helpful links:

Campath-1H: http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/Campath1H.html

Novantrone: http://www.rxlist.com/novantrone-drug.htm

Tysabri: http://www.tysabri.com/tysbProject/tysb.portal/_baseurl/twoColLayout/SCSRepository/en_US/tysb/home/about-tysabri/index.xml

National Multiple Sclerosis Society: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx

On Monday, the National Journal reported that Powell had a few things to say. “…the Republican Party is in deep trouble” then going on to suggest the Republican Party may be in a better position without Limbaugh. “I think what Rush does as an entertainer diminishes the party and intrudes or inserts into our public life a kind of nastiness that we would be better to do without,” Powell shared.

Rush Limbaugh wasted no time in lashing back at Powell, telling Powell that he should join the Democratic Party. “What Colin Powell needs to do is close the loop and become a Democrat instead of claiming to be a Republican interested in reforming the Republic Party,” Rush shared with his listeners on his radio show Wednesday.

Rush didn’t stop there, insinuating Powell endorsed Obama’s candidacy strictly upon race. He’s [Powell] just mad at me because I’m the one person in the country who had the guts to explain his endorsement of Obama,” Limbaugh said. “It was purely and solely based on race.”

Rush is grasping at any short straw that will give him more visibility and stir dissention within politics. Will his ranting change anything. I think not. Those who follow Rush and believe every word out of his mouth will continue. Those who do not will discount his rhetoric as ineffective and irrelevant.

Perhaps Rush just likes to hear himself talk. Keep on talking, Rush, all the way until the EIB Network is a long lost memory.

Every human has the option of changing their mind, of realigning their views with their beliefs – even if those beliefs change. That has personally happened to me. Is it tough? Absolutely; all you believed to be true is challenged as you realize the beliefs you hold are paradoxically opposed to your actions. You lose friends, you cause others confusion as you reconcile the opposing views.

When a political participant announces a change in party affiliation, typically there is a litany of reasons for the change:  an epiphany, a “seeing of the light”, a realization of an error in ways. This is not the situation with Arlen Specter.

He has been incredibly transparent as he announced his move to the Democratic Party.

Arlen Specter, a Republican senator from Pennsylvania since 1980, said on April 28 that he would switch to the Democratic Party, a move that could reshape the balance of power in Washington. Mr. Specter, running to be elected to a sixth term in 2010, already faced a primary challenge from a conservative opponent, former congressman Pat Toomey, whom Mr. Specter only narrowly fended off in the 2004 primary. [www.nytimes.com 4/28/2009]

Specter has always been known as a “moderate Republican” many times to the chagrin of strong, conservative Republicans. His views on the issues haven’t changed – and he is now taking the opportunity to change parties in an effort to keep his Senate seat.

If he were to run for re-election as a Republican, he would most certainly face a primary challenge by former Congressman Pat Toomey. At this time, Mr. Toomey has a decided advantage in the polling numbers. Specter’s number dwindled following his support of President Obama’s stimulus bill.

I wish that if Arlen Specter wanted to make such a dramatic change, he would have done this strictly on his own views and beliefs, NOT with the threat of losing an upcoming election. If Senator Specter is willing to do whatever it takes protect his own political future, what is he neglecting as he focuses on this instead of representing his constituents?

As much as I would like to see the Democrats reach the 60 vote threshold, I believe that Pennsylvania voters should look long and hard at the upcoming primary election and compare the candidates. Do you want a senator who will sell out for his own political livelihood over his constituents?

First of all, Iowa is only the third state to allow such unions. OK, really Iowa is the fourth state – but since the residents of California chose to amend the state Constitution, Iowa is the third state.

Secondly, this decision is historical due the fact that Iowa is not known as a liberal, forward-thinking state. That is not a criticism – Iowans are down-to-earth, rationale, reasonable Americans. But they are not typically on the cutting edge of controversial decisions. When thinking of people who would embrace this change in societal vision of marriage, Iowans don’t leap to the top of the list.

Hold on a minute – does this mean that Iowans are strongly behind the ideology of same-sex marriage? Unfortunately, no; In fact, in a Des Moines Register poll taken last year, 62% of Iowans believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. So are Iowa residents battering down the statehouse doors, demanding the Legislature call for a Constitutional Amendment vote? Once again, the answer is no. In fact, the Iowa Legislature just adjourned WITHOUT bringing that suggestion out of committee.

Hmmm, if Iowans do not overwhelming agree with the Supreme Court ruling, but aren’t demanding legislative relief, what are they missing? The New York Times [4/26/2009] highlights many of the major points:

But in Iowa City, a university town known for liberal politics, people spoke of the ruling as the latest evidence of Iowa’s pattern, however overlooked around the nation, of openness.

Some pointed to Iowans’ acceptance more than a century ago of utopian societies, like the Icarian movement in Corning and the Amana colonies, and their willingness to grant safe passage to Mormons on their way to Utah.

And it was Iowa, with a population that is less than 3 percent black, that gave Barack Obama his first caucus victories last year, and then favored him in November (as did Wapello County, home to Eldon, where Mr. Obama won 56 percent of the vote).

Iowans truly believe in the doctrine of fairness, equality, and yes, even privacy. Many of Iowans will not agree with the granting of marriage licenses to same-sex marriage. However, those same Iowans will “mind their own business” and live and let live.

Truly, it may be a really good thing for Iowans – perhaps they will get to know others who are gay and lesbian and realize that people are people. They may understand that we all love with the same love and we all want the same things for those we love. That would be the best for the state of Iowa and America in general.