Admittedly, I had to run to go get my sugar free mocha before I started this post. I might actually have to get a little catty and whiny here, and I’d like it to be a coherent oh let’s see, idea and suggestion session.
Last night, yes, I was in attendance at the 26th dems meeting. Sick as I was, I needed to be there. I needed to meet with some people, make sure my vote was counted, and introduce you to some people who are highly interesting and need some exposure. You can see my collection of photos and information here. I even did a bit of homework for you and added their websites for additional information about these great people. I figure that pictures alone don’t do justice. Please take a moment and read what they have to say. When August rolls around (state primary) and then November (the big kahuna election), I’d like to say that you’ve had the opportunity to be a well informed voter. Not a voter yet? What are you waiting for? Get out there, get registered, and make your voice heard. Granted, you may not agree with me politically, and you may even dislike who I support and what I believe in. Great! Isn’t it great that you and I live in a country where we can agree to disagree? Indeed it is. So if you’re not a registered voter, I hope that I’ve at least inspired you to get out there and register and be counted.
Speaking of “agree to disagree”, I have a couple comments. In my pictures, you’ll see a young man speaking about his experiences in learning more about the political process. His family and him are in attendance at every meeting…well, not necessarily him because he’s doing much work. But here he is, sharing his story, and what he’s learned, and I’ll be darned if he doesn’t get his hand slapped mid-speech. (Long story short, he was speaking to the homeless of different areas of Washington, and was reminded that yes, there’s homeless in the 26th district as well).
I admire this young man because instead of spending his summer out at the beach, working on a tan, or going to see movies or whatever it is teenagers do for fun and excitement these days, he’s learning and doing things politically. He represents our future. To undercut him in a public forum, in a public place while he’s trying to state what he’s been doing and how he’s been making his difference, I’m having a problem. Here’s why.
As a parent, I can speak to how hard it is to get your children thinking about our political future, or what’s on the horizon. My son, he loves to hear how things are going, what’s the latest news, and where our country is headed. He does not donate time to the cause, but he likes to stay informed. My daughter, on the other hand, got highly offended when the Young Democrats approached her and asked her if she’d like to get involved. It’s not that they’re Democrats, but it’s that she’s sat through enough meetings and rallies that she finds it all highly boring. I watch county commissioner meetings and city council meetings on cable and she rolls her eyes in disgust. Believe me, I’ve tried. But no, she doesn’t want anything to do with it, except that she’s a great judge and critic when it comes to my blog layout and design. So many children are bored and disenfranchised and just don’t care.
If there’s a part of the message that needs correcting or clarification, then that’s when you pull him aside for a moment and say “Hey, enjoyed the speech, but I think you missed this, or that could have been added.” Our young democrats need good guidance and suggestions, but not again, like I said, in a public forum in front of everyone. Write it down, approach, and offer the information and guidance in a private setting. Keep in mind that it’s still a learning process and encourage these people. No one is perfect, and even I have received my criticism and lumps of disdain. I’m older though. I know where and what I believe in. I appreciate every comment (good or bad) that I’ve received, because at least I know you’re reading, and it’s making you think. Don’t let our hard-working young dems fall by the wayside. Treasure every last one of them, because they *are* our future.
We’re hearing from candidates, and endorsements are being sought, and sure enough, we get to Pierce County executive. Now, I live in Kitsap County, so this is not a race that I can cast a vote for or against one way or the other. Calvin Goings gets up and speaks, and of course there’s great discussion on “sole” endorsements of candidates. Although again, I don’t live in Pierce County, but I visit lots, I know that Pat McCarthy is also running for the same position. Two great candidates in their own right, oh you bet. However, Pat herself was not present to seek an endorsement. She had sent along a member of her staff as she had a prior function she had committed to months ago. A couple of months ago, she had come and spoken to the 26th. I want to mention one more time, two great candidates, two great messages, but where do you put your endorsement? (This also brings up my need to read Robert’s Rules of Order. Sorry Derek, I swear I’ll get to the Obama book, I will, I really will.)
I’m snapping pictures and I have Pat McCarthy’s rep standing right next to me. An individual wearing an orange headband of some sort is directly in front of me, and makes the snide little comment about “Where’s Pat?” I could no longer hold back. I couldn’t help it. “Oh well you know Pat was here two meetings ago…” I mention (words to that effect). It just cheeses me off that people can get catty like that, even if we’re all supposed to be on the same team. Guy I’ve offended moves. However, later he’s out in the parking lot going on about how he “must have really pissed off that photographer girl” and on and on. Little did he know he was standing right next to my mother as he was extolling his great love for me.
So I’ll offer this up. Remember that part of the meeting where it was suggested that not only could we donate monetarily, but each one of us should make the challenge/commitment to put some hours towards campaigns? I challenge you, orange headband guy, to make that same commitment, not only to the 26th’s monthly meetings (to warn you, I might be out of commission for a few months due to major surgery…this is slated for September, so I might not be able to totally meet the same challenge here) but also to your favorite candidates. Honestly, I’m glad that I offended you, and that you took the time to speak to how obnoxious you thought I was. It inspires me to work harder to make sure that not only is my information factual and timely, but that I work harder for the causes I believe in. Also, it garnered me one of the biggest and perhaps meaningful compliments to my cause and my writing, and it came from my own mother. I salute you orange headband guy. I do. With that, I’d like to share one of my new mottos with you and the rest of the world.

great motto!
Now, let’s get a little more positive and uplifting. I had an opportunity to actually meet Steven Gardner, whom you’ll know as writer of “Kitsap Caucus” which is Kitsap Sun’s political blog. So to those of you who have made the comment in the past that he’s not impartial and is only out to make the republicans, oh crud, I meant to say GOP…look bad, guess what? Not saying here that he makes dems look bad as well, but he’s there and reporting. I shook his hand myself. You’ll note that I linked directly to his entry from last night’s meeting. Although I have pictures, the videos are even funnier. Take a moment to watch those if you can. Then, please refer to Chris Henry’s story about the same meeting. Yes, the “hannie” you see in comments is me. I usually won’t comment to stories in the Sun. But you know what, it’s high time we called “fair is fair” around here. I was highly compelled. I couldn’t help myself.
Both Chris and Steven bring up a very interesting point. There was no official “sole” endorsement made for the SK commissioner race. And yes, Monty Mahan sure as can be got up and stated he wasn’t looking for one. Charlotte Garrido had other commitments, so her husband Ray got up and spoke on her behalf. But no endorsement was made one way or the other. Why is that? I honestly can’t say. Tell you what, I’ll go with my own endorsement in the meanwhile. Although I really do like Monty, my endorsement goes to Charlotte, and it’s not only for her long standing work with our local area, but it’s on a personal note too. It all goes back to Hurricane Katrina, and how Mom flew the kids and I out of Little Rock (after we escaped ground zero….literally, the eyewall of Katrina hit land 20 miles from my house). When we first arrived, we pretty much had nothing. There’s a long list of people I can thank, and I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again, but Charlotte was one of the very first people on the phone with me, who had done her work and found me, and offered my family and me assistance and whatever else we might need. She didn’t have to, I mean, I was just lucky that yes, my kids and I escaped Katrina (literally, as we were driving up Highway 49 out of Gulfport MS, the sky was pitch black. It was coming, and coming fast…) and my parents had the ways and means to get the kids and I home to Kitsap County and safe. But Charlotte was one of the first people who sought us out, and offered us a helping hand. I could hug her a million times over for that kindness she showed us.
Last but not least, when you go through my collection of pictures here, you’ll see a few people who are not running for public office, but are regular people like you and me. We already covered my favorite young democrat. But there’s one person there that is my inspiration and I admire her. I’ve read her posts/writing for a while, but I had a chance to hear her speak. I mention it here. What an incredible person she is, and the daily struggles she goes through, yet she still makes time to ensure her voice is heard and fight for causes she believes in. I’m blessed to know someone of her caliber. I am.
Enough blabbing. I’ve got lots of work to get done today, and I’m not feeling exactly wonderful. I always seem to have miles to go before I sleep these days.
