New Job

Well, one wish came true: I just got hired as a freelance writer on suite101.com. More details later.

Current Stats

Obama-- 48%; McCain-- 43.1%

Things are Looking Up

I just checked the Yahoo! Political Dashboard scenario map. Barack's winning North Carolina! I sort of expected that he'd be winning in Virginia, since Gov. Tim Kaine was the first to endorse Barack, but certainly not North Carolina. Then again, Barack did melee Hillary down there during the primaries. So, I guess I'm not that surprised by this turn of events after all. Either way, it's good news for we Demfolk.

Officially Hip

Hey, folks! Guess what? I got a new car this weekend. It's a hunter green Volkswagen Passat. It's very fuel efficient, too. Now, if I can just get my online media career on a roll and Barack would win the election, everything'll be fine 'n' dandy in the Ashleyverse.

Today's Numbers

Obama-- 47.9% vs. McCain-- 43.1%

Poll Updates

Looks like Barack was indeed bolstered by the first debate. According to several updated polls, he's now ahead of McSame by at least five points. In addition, Barack is taking the lead in at least a couple red states, namely Virginia. I'm happy, to say the least.

The Evening After

Well, folks, the general consensus is that Barack won the debate last night at Ole Miss. He whipped McSame's backside on the grounds of foreign policy knowledge and solutions to domestic crises. It is rumored that the KKK was in the audience. Barack has proven time and again that he can hold up under pressure, thus proving that he is definitely fit to be president.

Tonight's Debate

Well, the presidential debate is on for tonight. It'll be broadcast on the networks at 8 PM EST. The candidates are meeting in Oxford, Mississppi. Oh, boy, things are about get sizzlin' hot in the South! McSame's going down. It's judgment day. Next week, Barack's poll numbers will cross the 50 % threshold-- mark my words. All hail Pres. Obama!

The Debates

Don't forget: The presidential debates start next week. Barack is going to cream McSame. I'm really looking forward to the veep debates. Palin has "scandal" written all over her. Trust me, something big, bad, and major is about to come out about her. Can't wait for Nov. 4, when all the naysayers will be proved wrong. Obama/Biden '08!

Today's Numbers

Obama's still in the lead with 47.8%, versus 44.1% for McCain. Yay!

Latest Poll Figures

Hey, ya'll! According to the latest poll from Quinnipiac University, Obama's ahead in four key battleground states: Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. On Yahoo! News Political Dashboard, Barack is ahead of McCain as well. The RCP (Real Clear Politics) National Average is: Obama-- 48.3%; McCain-- 45.3%. Finally, the two candidates are tied on the Dashboard Scenario Map, with 250 electoral votes each. (270 are needed to win the presidency.) My hunch is that Barack will win the four states listed above. I read one Politico editorial today that claims he is even gaining in Florida. I also think that he can win Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. I do the Create-Your-Own Scenario almost daily on the map and always come up with a final electoral vote count of 311 for Obama and 227 for McCain. We shall see!

Patriotism Quotes

1) "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism."-- Thomas Jefferson
2) "They who would give up liberty in exchange for security deserve neither liberty nor security."-- Benjamin Franklin
3) "When tyranny comes to America, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."-- James Madison

And Now for a Little Righteous Indignation

"Upon the Application of Novel Concepts"

By Lysistrata

There's a lot going on right now, and one thing is painfully clear--

We're in dire need of a change--

A regime change, that is

It's one thing to to admit that and say it, but actually making it happen is quite another

So, how do we go about "making it happen?"

Well, for starters, we need some fresh thinking

The status quo just doesn't cut it anymore

In fact, it's destroying us

The current administration has chosen to act against our best interests

Their time is up!

We're approaching the end of a very sad chapter of our history

And that end couldn't come sooner

We can no longer afford to stay where we are

More importantly, we can no longer afford to perpetuate this climate of stagnation

The next regime needs to be a champion of the people

After all, isn't that what this country was founded on?

Amazingly, so many consider this a novel concept

An even more outlandish idea to some is the fact that the foundation of this nation is rebellion

Why so many don't grasp this concept is beyond all comprehension

America needs to be re-educated

If these supposedly unfathomable ideas were actually applied, we really could become the Land of Opportunity and the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

We really could become a great nation

Yes, we can still reclaim the American Dream

We've got a lot of work ahead of us, so we had better get started

Let us not delay the Second Revolution

This time, however, the Revolution will be bloodless

Our primary weapon will be our collective conscience

Our other "weapon" will be the ballots we cast in November

We must elect the Prairie State senator

He is our only hope for the implementation of the Essential Change

We must urge the leaders of the New America to remain altruistic

Of course, our greatest challenge will be ending the Immoral War

On this front, spiritual protest and moral outrage is definitely warranted

So, where is the outrage?

It's time to get with the program-- No excuses

Better late than never

The Decisive moment is upon us

It is of paramount importance that we act now

If we do not act now, we will never recover

If we do act now, on the other hand, we will be redeemed

No, applying the "Novel Concepts" will not be an easy task

But we have to persevere in order to ensure the Common Good

It's too late to turn back

We have a long way to go, but we've come so far

We must keep going, come what may

Our journey will be fraught with peril, and we will face adversity

We cannot let that stop us

There will be rewards for all our trouble: Peace, Unity, Harmony, Equality, and Justice for All

Let's start the Journey!

We mustn't hesitate

And upon the application of novel concepts, it shall come to pass:

November 4, 2008: The Day of Reckoning, January 20, 2009: Redemption Day!

(Poem read during Eastern Illinois University Iraq War protest on 03/20/08.)

Recommended Reading

Y'all should read the excellent historical coffee table tome The First Ladies Fact Book: The Stories of the Women of the White House from Martha Washington to Laura Bush, written by Bill Harris. (New York: Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers, Inc. 2005.) Can't wait for the updated version with the chapter about Michelle Obama. What an elegant, classy, smart, successful, and beautiful woman. (And her husband ain't too bad, either!)

Good News

Well, I'm actually in a decent mood right now. Why? Answer: Barack's back in the lead. Guess even Jesus can't save the economy. So, Barack's winning, and all's right in the Ashleyverse. Let the healing begin!

Existentialist Ramblings

"Why?"

By Lysistrata

Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world?

Why are we here?

So many complex questions, so few easy answers

I ponder these and others frequently:

Is humanity basically good or evil?

I tend to believe that we have equal propensities for both predilections

I'd like to think that there's more good in this world

Sometimes it sure doesn't seem that way, though

Is there really a God or some sort of higher power?

I believe God is an amorphous force that permeates everything

I believe evil is the result of greed and the contingency of happiness upon earthly possessions

Why does this even matter?

It matters to me, because it helps me navigate through this life

Reminder

Did y'all remember to register to vote?

Just for fun...

Log onto http://rawstory.com to get the scoop on the latest political stories and scandals. Check out the link to Twing.com in order to post nasty comments about Sarah Palin.

Talks with Middle Eastern Countries is the Answer

"Democracy in Action Series"

Pt. I:

It seems that the world is descending into chaos. The U.S. is more deeply embedded in Iraq than ever; meanwhile, the war appears to have no end in sight, and casualties (on all sides) are mounting. In response to this disturbing trend, some political figures, including Illinois senator and presidential hopeful Barack Obama and former president Jimmy Carter, are asserting that the U.S. should practice diplomacy with Middle Eastern nations, especially Iran, Turkey, and Palestine.

First, a major cause of U.S. involvement in the Iraq quagmire is a lack of diplomacy with Iran. During the Persian Gulf War, the first Bush administration imposed sanctions upon this nation. These sanctions have led to a communication breakdown as well as fueled Iran's hatred of the U.S.

Secondly, it is crucial that the U.S. foster diplomatic relations with Turkey, a cultural and religious link between East and West. Turkey has seen much bloodshed during its long history. Centuries ago, the Byzantine, Ottoman, and Roman Empires seized control of Turkey. Conflicts between Christians and Muslims persist today. Also, understanding the culture and history of Turkey is central to understanding current events in the Middle East. Iraq is comprised of three religious groups: Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds. Saddam Hussein, who was a secular Sunni Muslim, banished the Kurds to the northern periphery of Iraq. Many sought refuge in Turkey after they were displaced during the Persian Gulf War. Following Hussein's execution in December 2006, fundamentalist Shiites overtook the Iraqi government. Relations among Turkish Christians and Muslims and Kurdish refugees are contentious, to say the least. Furthermore, the recent U.S. troop has only served to decrease unity among religious groups in Turkey and Iraq.

Finally, the U.S. government must engage in an open dialogue with Palestine. This is perhaps the most controversial of all aspects of the Middle East peace process in that many Americans erroneously believe that the U.S. should support Israel. The fallacy of this belief is that the modern Israeli state, established in 1948, was not created by God. Rather, it is the result of the 1967 Six Day War in which Israel captured the West Bank in Jerusalem, a land that belongs to Palestine. Expansion of Israeli settlements in this area is a violation of International Law. Zionism (belief in Israel as the Promised Land) is also backhanded, because many Evangelicals believe that Jews must convert to Christianity in order to "get into Heaven." In addition, advocating for Palestine is not anti-Semitic. According to the Bible, the Palestinian Jews are God's chosen people. Therefore, we should support the Palestinian Cause, not Israel. Diplomacy with Palestine is the key to peace in the Middle East.

So, it is obvious that the U.S. needs to negotiate with certain Middle Eastern nations. First, the U.S.-imposed sanctions on Iran must be lifted. Secondly, we must inform ourselves in regards to the complex political and religious history of Turkey. Finally, we must realize that peace is only possible through open diplomacy with Palestine. Ultimately, we must elect leaders who are willing to try diplomacy. This is how we can begin to create a more peaceful and just world.

Below is a list of books that will facilitate readers' understanding of the preceding subject matter:

Carter, Jimmy. Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. Simon & Schuster. 2006.

Karabell, Zachary. Peace Be Upon You: The Story of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish Coexistence. Alfred A. Knopf. New York: 2007.

Pamuk, Orhan. Snow. Vintage. 2005.

(Look for Pt. II of this series sometime in October.)

Scary Stuff!

Get a load of this, folks. A friend and fellow activist from San Francisco sent me a link to a video about Sarah Palin's church. The link is: http://vimeo.com/679097. Watch it, be informed, and spread the word.

Monday Night Musings

"Right On"

By Lysistrata

Jesus was right on

Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson were right on

Martin Luther King was right on

Jimmy Carter was right on

Rosa Parks was right on

Betty Friedan was right on, as was Gloria Steinem

John Lennon was right on

Bob Dylan was right on

Keith Olbermann was right on; Obama's right on

I hope I'm right on

I don't know for sure

Sometimes I don't know if I get anything right

I try to say the right things, and they come out all wrong

I try to do the right things, and they come off all wrong

Maybe I'm being too hard on myself

I tend to be hypercritical, tend to underestimate myself

I try to remember what Mother Teresa said: "We can only do small things with great love."

She was right on

Maybe I've been right about a few things

Abe Lincoln once said: "All the people can be right some of the time, some of the people can be right all of the time, but all the people can't be right all the time."

He was right on

I think some people never right and always wrong, like Dubya

According to Fact Check, he's given no less than 23 different rationale for the war

Wrong-- Dead Wrong!

(Yeah, Scott McClellan was definitely right on!)

Gandhi was right on

Got a bumper sticker that says, "An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind."

Right on, man!

Maybe I'm right at least part of the time

I said there'd be a backlash against Pox Americana

I was right about that

It's happening-- happening right now

Right on!

Ode to a Great Campaign

The major theme of Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign is, of course, "Change." Many Americans want to be a part of the Second Revolution, but they don't know exactly how to get started. Accordingly, the following is an essay/poem, which is appropriately titled:

"How to Be a Change Agent"

By Lysistrata

"The Times, They Are A-Changin'," or so the timeless song goes

Yes, folks, we are embarking upon an era of monumental changes

Of course, these changes can't happen without people to create them

The tragedy, however, is that so many people are afraid to shake things up

Consequently, our society remains stagnant

Furthermore, individuals remain oppressed

The problem lies in the fact that too many potential change agents do not know how to go about creating the necessary changes

They have a myriad of excuses, too

Like, for instance, "I don't have the cash to spare."

Then, there's my personal favorite, "I would get involved with causes, but I'm worried about what others will think of me."

First of all, there are many little things you can do that don't cost anything

This includes letter writing and joining community organizations and charities

As for having a fear of "what others will think," you must put this into perspective

Seriously, what's the worst thing that could happen?

Also, think of the great changes that have already taken place in our society

For example, where would we be if Rosa Parks hadn't refused to give up her bus seat?

Where would we be if Thomas Jefferson hadn't written the Declaration of Independence?

Answer: Nowhere

And that's exactly my point--if Ms. Parks had graciously moved, we'd still be racially segregated, and if Mr. Jefferson hadn't proposed that the fledgling republic become a sovereign nation, we'd still be under the thumb of the Mother Country

So, we are now at the possible end of another Era of Oppression

If we do not act immediately, we will lose our inalienable rights

We cannot afford to sit idly by and let the presiding negative forces run their course

Instead, we must work to alter the course of our history

No, fulfilling this proposition won't be easy

But we can no longer afford to take the path of least resistance

The time has come to take the road not taken

That's the only way to make a much-needed difference in our society

And it won't happen overnight, either

Change takes time

That's an undeniable truth

These changes will occur in stages

They will be tangible to future generations

By the same token, our progeny will suffer if we do not act now

Therefore, we must put aside our fears

And that, my friends, is how to become a change agent

The Prairie-Hoosier-Lone Star-Sooner-Pelican-State Religious/Political Journey of a Christian, Patriot, Southern Belle, Democrat, & Obama Supporter

While conducting my daily political web search, I stumbled upon an intriguing article. This provocative piece is entitled "Young, evangelical...for Obama?" and was published in the Sunday, May 11, 2008, edition of The Seattle Times and written by staff reporter Haley Edwards. I couldn't believe my eyes! For much of my life, I've struggled to reconcile my liberal, Bohemian spirituality with the Religious Right's three-decade monopoly on American Christianity. According to Ms. Edwards' article, 15 percent of white Christians between 18 and 29, who traditionally support the GOP, say they no longer identify with the Republican Party. Edwards interviewed University of Washington communications instructor David Domke, who cites the unpopular Iraq War, Bush's low approval ratings, and the tanking economy as reasons for their country's fortunately shifting views regarding the link between politics and religion.
I, for one, couldn't agree with Domke and these so-called "political misfits" more. I grew up in "the buckle of the Bible Belt," otherwise known as Texas, raised by devout Disciples of Christ parents. The Disciples represent the progressive branch of Christianity. I was always encouraged to challenge everything I heard and read, including sermons and scripture. I realized I leaned toward the left following the August 1990 outbreak of the Persian Gulf War. One of our denomination's key teachings is that followers be peacemakers, which solidified my anti-war beliefs. In addition, my father, an engineer and sales and sales representative for an oil company, insisted we watch CNN 24/7 during this time. My mother and I would often engage in deep discussions about politics and religion, especially those pertaining to the moral implications of U.S. involvement in the Middle East. For these reasons, I became a questioning Christian.
When I was 12, we moved back to Illinois. (I was born in Olney, but I've lived in Indiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.) We eventually found a church similar to--albeit more conservative than--the one in Texas. The GOP gained control of Congress in 1994. Around this time, I began vocalizing my dissenting opinions during Wednesday night youth group meetings. Needless to say, this put me at odds with my more compliant peers. Thus began my love-hate relationship with organized religion, my crisis of faith.
In college, I went through the requisite rebellious phase, although I attended church with my family on weekends I was home from Eastern Illinois University. During the 2000 election, I was admittedly apathetic and didn't vote. Still, I was deeply saddened on Jan. 20, 2001, the day of George W. Bush's first inauguration. Then, on 9/11, I came to an immediate realization: I needed to become more involved in the political process. I quit school for a couple of years after that life-altering semester to "find myself." On March 19, 2003, the U.S. declared war on Iraq. It was on this horrible day that I discovered my calling-- to be a peace activist. I returned to Eastern for the fall 2004 semester. After Dubya's re-election, I began expressing myself more passionately than ever and became an active member of the EIU Chapter of College Democrats of America.
Today, as a 28-year-old English teacher, I am continuing to speak out against war, racism, environmental negligence, inequality, and social injustice. It is because of, not in spite of, my faith that I care about these issues. As a "values voter," I feel that Barack Obama is the presidential candidate who shares my beliefs. An advocate for persons of faith, Sen. Obama once said: "My faith shapes my values, but applying those values to policymaking must be done with principles that are accessible to all people, religious or not. Even so, those who enter the public square are not required to leave their beliefs at the door." This is why the Prairie State senator receives my vote.
DISCLAIMER: Okay, I kinda lied to y'all. I was actually born in Illinois, but I spent my formative years in the Lone Star State.

Spiritual Musings

"Does Heaven Exist?"

By Lysistrata*

So much talk about spiritual matters these days

So many big questions being asked, yet so few answers

Well, one question I have is this: "Does Heaven Exist?"

Furthermore, what about Hell?

Quite honestly, I don't think they are physical places at all

Rather, Heaven and Hell exist within us, and their characteristics manifest themselves according to worldly events

Where there is peace, there is Heaven

Where there is war, there is Hell

It seems that we're in a Hellish state right now

But we can turn things around

So, does Heaven exist?

I say, "Yes. If we want it to, however, we must create it."

*This is my stage name. It is taken from a Greek comedy called Lysistrata, which was written by Aristophanes . The title character is the first anti-war and feminist heroine in literary history. I perform my poetry and spoken-word pieces at Jackson Avenue Coffee in Charleston, IL.

Howdy, Ya'll!

Hey! My name is Ashley Waggoner. I'm a Texan and a Democrat. (Oxymoronic, huh?) Anywho, I'll be sharing my worldview with y'all on this blog. Hope y'all join the fun!