Top 10 Reasons I Loved 2009

Well, 2009 is over. There is a God. [Although I wondered about that.] I’m so glad I’m shakin’ the dust of last year from my sandals, and marchin’ forward into 2010. I’m fired up! But first, I thought I’d try to find a few positive nuggets from what had to be one of my worst years in modern times. [Can’t count the way-back past. Can’t remember most of it, anyway.] Okay, I just lied. I really just wanted to take one more poke at last year, and then I’m forgettin’ it. [Hopefully, for life.] So, here are the Top-10 Reasons I Loved 2009….

#10 - I learned a new language: Latin.

Yep, I became quite familiar with the sentence, “Et tu, Brute?” [Caesar’s last words, meaning, “You too, Brutus?”]

#9 - Although I love game shows, I won’t be trying out for Survivor.

[Couldn’t make all those alliances, then turn around and do “the blindsides.”]

#8 - I implemented what I’d learned in my fave book, How to Win Friends and Influence People.

A certain person in a certain organization shrieked at me over the phone. My hubby [he’s such a sweet man] was a witness. [I didn’t know a man’s eyebrows could stretch so high!] After this person called me unprofessional [as if!] and several other choice words, I remained so calm it was frightening. While I so wanted to point out that person needed a Xanax while I did not, I just said, “I appreciate your time. Thanks.” [MAJOR, dudes.]

#7 - I have a high tolerance for pain, [I’m married.], but I increased it.

I was so upset near the end of the year; I tore off all my fingernails. No, not just the white part, most of the pink part as well. [Saved money on nail polish too.]

#6 - I learned a new skill: how to be a contortionist.

[Had to pull an entire set on Ginsu knives outta my back.]

#5 - I bought a new wardrobe.

Due to stress and sleep-eating [that’s a blog in itself], I gained 20 pounds.

#4 - I learned God chooses clients and friends for me, better than I can.

[No further comment needed.]

#3 - I learned there is a sucker born every minute.

[This year, I was born 525,600 times.]

#2 - After a 2-year battle with the IRS, the Christian-hatin’ IRS dude actually showed up knockin’ at my front door…

…which I never answer without strappin’ on my sidearm. [Never seen a man in a cheap suit back up so fast!]

And the #1 reason I loved 2009…

I can get battered, beaten, and bloodied … and Get Off the Mat.

Boo-Yah! I’m comin’ up swingin’! In 2010: I’m. All. In.

To sum it up, I’ll use the words of one of my fave Christian bands: SuperChick…

Follow the leader, stay in the lines
What will people think of what you’ve done this time?
Go with the crowd, surely somebody knows
Why we’re all wearing the emperor’s clothes

Play it safe, play by the rules
Or don’t play at all - what if you lose?
That’s not the secret, but I know what is:
Everybody dies, but not everyone lives. Everybody dies, but not everyone lives

I’m gonna ride like I’ve got the cops on my tail
I’m gonna live my life like I’m out on bail
I’m gonna be out front, gonna blaze a trail
I’m gonna, I’m gonna, I’m gonna, I’m gonna cross that line

Everybody freeze - don’t step over the line
Don’t stand up, they’ll shoot down the first one who tries
Try to change the world, they’ll think you’re out of your mind
Revolutions start when someone crosses the line

They want us to lie down, give in to the lie
Nothing has to change, and no one has to die
That’s not the secret, but I know what is:
Everybody dies, but not everyone lives. Everybody dies, but not everyone lives

I’m gonna ride like I’ve got the cops on my tail
I’m gonna live my life like I’m out on bail
I’m gonna be out front, gonna blaze a trail
I’m gonna, I’m gonna, I’m gonna, I’m gonna cross that line

[Come with me. I dare ya….]

by Kelly Gottuso Mortimer

“Mom, I’m here. I’m safe.”

Ah, music to a mother’s ears, at least in part. For “here” meant Kuwait. And safe? For how long? Her next stop—Iraq. I’m speaking of my then eighteen-year-old daughter, Private Nicole Giovanna Mortimer—known to family and friends as Nikki. [my ‘”I Ain’t Quittin’” Child]

Her vibrant blue-green eyes gazed at me from a photo taken in her senior year of high school, hand resting proudly on her Bible. And the snapshot from her prom, dressed in her billowing gown, her lovely figure swathed in pale pink lace and tulle. A rhinestone tiara perched proudly on her shiny, light-brown hair, and the glittering necklace that once belonged to her grandmother dangled from her swan-like neck. Next to that, her latest picture.

Nikki dressed in fatigues, cradling an M-16.

Why would such a happy, carefree girl want to spend her summer at boot camp in the unbearable heat and humidity of South Carolina’s Fort Jackson? Then the trek to the windy desert over Iraq, followed by a jump out of a helicopter in 130-degree heat?

Because I asked her to.

I know what you’re thinking, “Come again?” Yes, for better or worse, her old mom convinced her to enlist when a war raged in a foreign country.

Nikki didn’t know what she wanted to do after high school, so, like any good daughter, she asked her parents for suggestions. I’m so patriotic; I bleed red, white, and blue. Nikki’s a girlie-girl, but “fearless” is her middle name. Why not the Armed Forces? She could help those less fortunate than herself, master an interesting trade, learn self-discipline, and garner a healthy respect for those in authority.

Of course, the decision would have to be hers. She’d turned eighteen, a legal adult in California. Eighteen! Could a random set of numbers comprised of a simple “one” and an “eight” make her an adult? Nikki couldn’t be an adult. Wasn’t it yesterday morning I dropped my baby daughter off for her first day of kindergarten? Okay, I guess my dates are off, but that’s to be expected, considering my advanced age.

Regardless, I’m sure I was more mature at eighteen than Nikki, wasn’t I? She’d spent good money on an “In Sync” CD. At eighteen, I listened to Aerosmith.

Shock enveloped me when she took my advice. What was up with that? I didn’t listen to my mother when I was eighteen, or ever, for that matter. Of course, I didn’t need to, as I already knew everything. Sorry, Mom. Seriously, what soon-to-be-a-woman takes it to heart when her mom tells her to enlist in the Army? I know, I know. Apparently, mine.

My friends and family asked if I worried about Nikki coming home safely. I said no, as a giant angel in body armor guarded her back. And if the angel needed a rest, she had the finest soldiers in the world next to her. So, off she went with the family’s blessing.

I couldn’t wait to speak with her. When I finally did, I asked her how many cities she’d stormed, and what interesting trade she’d learned. Computer processing, air-traffic control, public relations perhaps? Nope, no storming. And her trade? She decided to be a cook. I taught her how to cook; shouldn’t I get the credit for that? Did she need to enlist in the Army to learn something she already knew? She didn’t have the joy of cooking for hundreds of people here at home, but she did have access to more spices.

Then her superior offered her a different position: driving her commanding officer on missions. My heart thundered in my chest, then stopped. Did the poor man realize he was in more danger from Nikki driving him around Iraq, than from fifty homicide bombers? Within a

month of having her first car, Nikki crashed it. She wasn’t hurt, but I’m afraid the T-bird didn’t make it. And her driving skills never improved with age. I visited her on base in Colorado. In the span of fifteen minutes, she parked and left the headlights on, ran a stop sign, and if I hadn’t intervened, she’d have driven the wrong way down a one-way street. I know; she’d be driving in the desert. Not much there to plow into. Trust me. If there was anything to hit, Nikki’d find it.

Nikki had one minor mishap while in Iraq: A piece of shrapnel scored her shoulder when her camp came under attack. I told her I’d put it on a chain and make a necklace out of it. Her reply? “No, Mom, it’s radioactive. Just stick it in the drawer.” I thank her angel for protecting her. No missing limbs, no gunshot wounds. True to form, as soon as she became a civilian, Nikki broke her ankle, but you should’ve seen the other guy.

So, Nikki’s not the best driver in the world. She has a lot of good qualities. While stationed in Iraq, she started a Bible study with her friend. By the time she left, nineteen soldiers attended. Could a mom melt? I was so proud of her. Even in the blazing desert, Nikki remembered what we taught her. Jesus should always be the most important thing in her life. Leaving to rescue defenseless Iraqis ran a close second.

In her last letter to me before she came home Nikki wrote, “Mom, I’m proud to be doing something really important with my life. I’m making the world a better place, and keeping America safe for my little sister to grow up in.”

So, did I make a huge mistake putting my teenaged daughter in harm’s way? I think not. What more could a mother ask for than to have a daughter who was happy, healthy, and out there saving the world?

Welcome to My Worlds.

Sal’s hard gaze flew from his friend to the front of the cave. The silhouette of several men, rifles in hand, caused his eyes to widen and his chest to constrict. Then came the whispers of North Korean soldiers. A man crept toward them, cautiously moving forward about three feet. Another two and no question about it: discovery, torture, death.

Sal prayed. But would God be sick of hearing his requests by now? His glance riveted to the enemy, closing in on their position in the shadows. Then the North Korean stopped and cocked an ear. Sal didn’t dare breath. His now clammy hand clamped over the boy’s mouth. The soldier took a step, then turned, and exited.

Is their any limit to God’s grace?

“Let’s get back to camp,” Sal said, wiping sweat from his brow.

The boy scampered off, and he and Neal trudged down the mountain.

Sal retired to the canvas tent he shared with fourteen other men. He slept fitfully, waking with a start, chills sweeping through him. His gaze flew to the opening flap. His eyes adjusted to the dim light, and then he saw it: a thin wisp of smoke creeping through the canvas. It slithered like a snake up the seam of the tent, pausing where the side met the ceiling, then drifting toward him with agonizing slowness.

His breath caught in his throat. He slammed his eyelids closed, whispering a prayer the vapor would disappear, then opened his eyes. The death-mist inched closer. His limbs froze, then shook as if his body was a rattle in the hands of a baby. Heinous pictures of war flashed in his mind like vacation slides.

Sal ducked his head under the protection of his sleeping bag, fists clenched, head thrashing side-to-side. He knew what would happen if he uncovered his face, but an unseen force seemed to pull him back into the open, and the filmy smoke attacked his skin, invading his flaring nostrils. He shrieked like a prisoner in the throes of agonizing torture.

The smell of the dead seeped into his pores, permeating his senses. He slapped at the air, but couldn’t bat the mist away. Another high-pitched scream tore from his throat. Then another.

He couldn’t escape.

They sent him to a hospital ship anchored in the harbor, diagnosing him with battle fatigue. The area onboard consisted of rows of narrow bunks stacked three high, covered with thin mattresses. He inhabited one of the penthouses.

Sal lay there listening to another man beneath him and across the way. “Jesu, Jesu, Jesu,” he mumbled in Spanish.

Sal looked down to see him, but swung his head away and toward the wall. That guy has no chance. The dying man’s insides were in clear view, the skin of his stomach peeled back like the lid on a tin can. Sal considered himself fortunate. He added his own prayer: that God would take the suffering Marine home.

October waned, and General MacArthur announced the war neared an end. Sal’d “rested” for two weeks. They were about to ship out for R & R in Japan.

Sal asked to see his C.O. “Sir, I need to go back to my unit.”

“I hear what you need is rest.”

“Respectfully, I can’t go to Japan. My place is with the men, sir.”

He sighed. “Permission granted.”

***

Orders arrived that would prove costly. President Truman discounted vital information stating the Chinese would intervene. So, Truman sent the troops north of the 38^th Parallel to supposedly crush the remnants of the North Koreans and unify the country.

Sal and the 5^th sailed to the West Coast, landing in Wonson at the bottom of the entry to the Chosin Reservoir.

But the Chinese did join the fray. They feigned east, sneaking behind the Marines.

Ice covered the top of Sal’s helmet and light parka. If Hell had a spot the opposite of blazing hot, this place had to be it. In cold so deep it seeped through his skin to chill his bones, he manned a trench with the rest of his company in the most dismal of conditions.

Hunger gnawed at his empty stomach; his vigor ebbed like the departing daylight. He reached for a ration, then tossed it, ignoring the thud it made when it landed. Frozen solid, like everything else. He cupped shaking hands into the snow and swallowed it, desperate to keep hydrated, even though he knew his core temperature would fall to scary depths.

Engines of Chinese planes roared overhead, then the sky rained paper. Flyers fell all around him. He grabbed one and read: We will annihilate the 1^st Marine Division; the flower of the UN fighting force.

A hopeless situation. He glanced at the others. Some couldn’t walk from the pain of their frostbitten feet, some pockets remained empty, as the men manning them died at the hands of the Chinese.

Surrounded, Sal and the few survivors able to fight engaged 120,000 Chinese soldiers who kept comin’. Even when wounded, the Chinese advanced due to the opium balls they ingested. Apparently, they felt no pain. Sal wished he could say the same.

The combat ignited again. Starving, strength sapped, fingertips a nice shade of blue; Sal ignored the forty-below weather and concentrated on destroying the enemy, including the soldier who’d slipped on the bank while trying to kill him.

Lord, give me strength.

Heat surged into his veins, infusing him with power. He continued to battle as men dropped all around him. Was there any way to emerge victorious? He fired off another round, then remembered a Bible verse: With God, all things are possible. Mark 10:27.

He’d hang on, and he’d make it out alive.

I have God’s word on it.

***

Early December, 1950

The remaining troops of the 5^th and 7^th held out against heavy attacks. They mounted a bitter assault and against all odds, broke from the reservoir, sheer force of will driving them. These brave men earned the title: The Chosin Few. Some within the ranks lovingly dubbed them, The Frozen Chosin.

The Chinese suffered massive losses at the reservoir, gaining only a hollow, pyrrhic victory.

***

Christmas Eve, 1950

Sal watched the campfires on the hills above Wonsan Harbor from a LSD. Now a scant 128 pounds, he waited in line for what would be his first hot meal in weeks. Every man had to get a shot before they received their chow, and he hated needles, but ignored the minor prick as his mouth watered. Too bad his cramping stomach couldn’t keep the food down.

I’ll get over this. I’ll go on. That’s what I have to do. That’s what I will do. So help me God.

Sal paced a path in the dirt. The ship’d made him stir-crazy, and now the camp penned him in again. He decided to take a chance and escape his confines for an evening, sure the North Koreans weren’t on the prowl this time.

He and Neal finally made it to the Black Cat Inn, settling in an upstairs room to kick off

their shoes and relax. They played dominoes and for a few fleeting hours, forgot they were on foreign soil fighting a brutal war.

Then the thud of doors slamming and men yelling vibrated the thin walls. Sal looked at Neal. “I bet it’s the Army MPs raidin’ the place. Sounds like a whole battalion is floodin’ in.”

Neal scratched his head. “How we gonna sneak back into camp?”

“We’ve only got one shot,” Sal said, glancing at the lone window on the opposite wall.

They sprinted over, tugged the widow open, and hung their heads out to see how far the drop would be.

Sal moaned, then said, “Anything but that.”

Below them rested a huge vat of what stank like liquid fertilizer.

Sal gave Neal a shrug. “I’ll go first.”

With parka and shoes held over his head, Sal leapt from the second story with Neal following. They emerged stinking worse than a pile of steaming manure, but put on their boots and barreled back to camp.

Sal and Neal shimmied up the fence and dropped to the other side.

Neal suppressed a laugh. “Man, your hair has spikes of smelly icicles standing straight up.”

“Shh. Lower your voice.” Sal touched his head. “I guess that’s what happens when this stuff dries. Like you look any better. C’mon; let’s go.”

They used the rows of tents for cover. Crouching, then moving. Crouching; moving. A blast of light blinded Sal. “What the….” He put his hand over his eyes to shield them from the glare.

When focus returned, he stood in front of Major Treadwell. Sal’s stomach lurched.

Their superior officer looked them up and down, stroked his curling mustache, and said in a smooth Alabama drawl, “Nice of you gentlemen to join us.”

***

May 26, 1951

Corporal Sal Gottuso was the first Marine to disembark the U.S.S. General Hase in San Francisco, California. A Navy “wave” [a cute gal assigned to welcome them home] waited at the bottom of the gangplank to greet him and pose for a picture. But he sped by her and into the arms of a tiny woman who’d ducked around the Marines holding the crowd back.

“Mama, I’m home!” Sal embraced his mother, who smacked his cheek with a kiss as his sister-in-law stood behind the pair weeping tears of joy. Thankfully, the photographer snapped that shot, which Sal saw in the next morning’s paper.

“God brought me through each trial; answered every one of my prayers, Mama. And I kept Him busy.”

His mother’s eyes glistened as she looked at him. “I had feelings some days, and I knew you were in trouble, Salvy. Your father prayed. I prayed—told everyone to pray.”

Sal produced a shining grin. “Thanks, Mama. It worked.”

***

…This wasn’t the end of my dad’s military career. For his service in Korea, he made Sergeant. He also entered an MP outfit, never losing a prisoner.

When his service was up, his superior encouraged him to attend Officer’s Candidate School to become a second lieutenant, writing him every three months to convince him to come back.

Dad considered the offer, but after twelve months of careful thought, he declined, although he never stopped loving the Marine Corps. He eventually married my mother, Doreen, and had us three children.

Years later, the horrors of war continued to haunt him. He woke many nights in a cold

sweat, staring at the bedroom closet. The doors jiggled, and he surmised the mist swirled there, desperately trying to free itself.

His doctor’d told him to face his fears. So, he’d rise and pull the sliding door back with a flourish, then scream as the vapor rushed to envelope him. Invade him. Smother him.

It carried the rotting stench of the dead. Still.

When I asked my dad what he remembered most about the war, he replied, “There was tension all the time; it never let-up. I lost a lot of good friends over there, and I never prayed so much in all my life.”

My dad: Bronze Star nominee, undefeated Marine Corps boxer [the original pound-for-pound Italian Stallion], passed away on March 27, 2006. Cancer accomplished what the Chinese army couldn’t. My dad’s in heaven now, but I’ll see him again. Until then: Semper Fi, Daddy. You’ll always be my hero.

Author’s Note: My dad wanted everyone to know when I interviewed him his memory wasn’t what it used to be. If any of the statements written as fact are incorrect, he wanted to apologize. [Rest easy, Daddy. You’re forgiven.]

This is probably one of the few serious works of mine you’ll get to read. In honor of all Veterans. Better late than never….

November 27, 1950

Lord, help me—or I’m gonna die.

Corporal Salvatore Frank Gottuso stared at the Chinese soldier bearing down on him. Snow crunched under the booted feet of the enemy. Dawn broke the horizon, highlighting the soldier’s silhouette as the odor of spent mortars clung to the icy air. There wasn’t time to react. The Chinese combatant unfurled his pike, ready to thrust.

Looked like the freezing foxhole in the Chosin Reservoir could be—probably would be—Sal’s grave. He’d never leave Korea. He held his breath, reciting another silent prayer as time seemed suspended.

Kettledrums beat in the distance, releasing their eerie tones amidst the screaming men and discharging weapons. Sal stayed in a crouch, frozen into position. The sharpened point of the pike had a clean shot at his exposed chest. No time to fire his M-1 rifle. This was it. Dead at nineteen. He’d never know what married life might be like, never have children, never feel the welcoming hugs of his parents or nine siblings again.

It’s all over.

The Chinese soldier lunged at Sal, but miraculously, slipped on the bank. Sal instinctively raised his weapon, his bayonet sinking into his enemy’s heart, killing him instantly.

Thank you, God, for your protection. For answering my prayer.

Mixed emotions flowed through him: relief he’d be alive to fight another day, and sorrow at taking another man’s life. His first kill in hand-to-hand combat.

But victory wasn’t sweet.

***

…I’ll be forever grateful God kept Sal Gottuso from harm. I’m his youngest child, Kelly. My siblings, Carl and Gina, and I, wouldn’t be here today if God hadn’t been faithful to my dad.

This was a tough story to write. I cringed as my dad related the harrowing details to me: stories of escape from certain death on several occasions as he served his tour of duty in Korea. I’ll start at the beginning, and pray I do his words justice.

***

Albany, New York - September 8, 1948

Sal strode to the officer. ”Sir, I’d like to enlist.”

The man handed him a clipboard and pen, then smiled. “Son, you don’t look old enough, or strong enough for what you may face.”

“I’m seventeen. Be eighteen on January 7^th. I’m old enough. As for strong, you try figthin’ seven brothers, with a few sisters thrown in on occasion.”

The officer read the form. “Salvatore Frank Gottuso. Five-feet seven; 135 pounds.” He glanced up. “So, we’ve got a scrappy Italian in the United States Marine Corps?”

“Yes, sir. You do.”

“Why the Marines, son?”

Sal spoke without pause. “I wanted to be in the toughest branch of the military, sir. I may not be the biggest Marine, but no one has more heart, and I trust God to take care of me.”

“Very good, then. We’re proud to have you.”

***

July, 1950

Sal emerged from boot camp in Honor Platoon 217, one stripe already on his shoulder.

After intense training in amphibious assault conducted on Guam and at Camp Pendleton, he headed for Korea with the 1^st Provisional Marine Brigade, 5^th Marines. My unit.

The sky shown bright orange and dark gray when the Landing Ship Dock (LSD) pulled into Pusan Harbor as evening stole over southeast Korea. Sal glanced at the land, then at his friends Neal and Jimmy.

His excitement mingled with apprehension, heart pumping erratically. “Boy, guys, we’re gonna be in there tonight.”

The North Koreans made a statement, crossing over the 38^th Parallel into South Korea, pushing the U.S. Army occupation troops back. Sal’s Brigade ran some forty miles to assume defensive positions near the southwest corner of the Pusan Perimeter. Air support came from the U.S.S. Sicily that night, as Corsairs bombed the North Koreans, clearing the way.

His muscles ached as he moved, hefting his full field transport pack and M-1 Rifle with bayonet. Every breath harder to take than the last, but with adrenaline coursing through his veins, he made no complaints.

I’m a United States Marine.

General MacArthur formed a special group named “X Corps.” Sal’s 5^th division made the cut. They boarded a ship to the Naktong Bulge, about halfway up the Pusan Perimeter, where the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) infested the area.

Ten Corps went on the offensive, but the North Koreans wouldn’t go down without a fight. They launched a counterattack with Russian-built T-34 tanks.

“Don’t worry guys,” Sal shouted over the noise. “We’ll get ’em.”

Using rocket launchers, rifles, and 90-mm tank fire, plus the aide of the Corsairs, they completed their first goal mid-morning.

The North Koreans retreated, badly battered. Obongni or “No Name Ridge” belonged to the victorious Americans. Still, their main objective loomed before them: an assault on Inchon, then the retaking of Seoul.

Sal had a long way to go.

***

September 15, 1950

Time for the assault on Inchon. The general picked a controversial spot to land: near the seawall with as much as 32’ tides, limiting landing times to a few hours a day. The beaches seemed poor places to dock. Thick mud abounded, and the Marines had a long approach through shallow channels. Enemy mines were a worry as well. And if the Marines made it intact, the troops would have to scale metal ladders to reach their destination.

Sal sat back, waiting for the Amtrac to reach the seawall. Two men sat between him and his friend Bob. Just before disembarking, a cracking sound made him jump. “Bob, what the heck was that?” But Bob’s head bent back, a bullet hole embedded in his forehead.

Lord, give me strength.

Trepidation skittered through Sal, but stiff resolve followed. He couldn’t stop to mourn Bob. This was real.

This was war.

He held his breath, his gaze locked on Inchon, the city in the distance. It seemed like a blaze shot to the clouds and all the way to heaven. Orange-yellow flames rose like enemy arms in surrender.

The whole city must be burning.

He snapped out of his musings as small-arms fire continued to haunt the Marines on Green Beach. Sal and the men landed and fought hard, killing over 200 of the enemy, and capturing 136 prisoners.

Mission accomplished, but back to work. They set out to retake Seoul, South Korea’s capital city. Their wave of Amtracs moved at less than three knots while crossing the Han River. Splashes sounded up ahead.

They’re shootin’ at us!

Every few feet, the spraying water came closer. And closer. It seemed impossible for the Marines to escape the river bombs. The next mortar attack would blast their Amtrac apart and sink them. Sal’s heart nearly stopped.

Help us, Lord.

A welcoming sound reached his ears: a buzzing in the sky. He smiled. Corsairs soared over the cove and took out the North Korean threat. Saved once again.

Thank you, God.

Waiting on shore, their enemies hid in the hills surrounding Seoul, and the 5^th faced a heavy battle. The NKPA weren’t willing to surrender, but by late afternoon, the Marines proved too much for them, and the American flag whipped proudly in the breeze. The firefight left fields of stinking, NKPA corpses, but the Marines held their ground.

The noise of popping buttons sounded as the overtaxed uniforms of the dead succumbed when the bodies swelled. Skin inflated out of their ears and mouths, flapping in the breeze like gruesome balloons.He’d never forget the stench of the dead. Never.

The 5^th transported to a fenced rest camp. Even as one of the Commanders of the Guard, Sal couldn’t stand the confinement. One night when no moon loomed to give their position away, Sal and his buddy Neal snuck out and along with a Korean boy they’d befriended earlier. Their destination was an establishment called the Black Cat Inn, located in Inchon.

They traveled up a winding mountain road, and were halfway to the top when Sal heard a distinct noise: the clinking of rifles against canteens.

North Korean soldiers.

Some called them farmers by day, snipers by night. Whichever, they were on the other side of the hill, so close, the trio wouldn’t have a shot to double-time it back to safety. Sweat beaded on his forehead, even with the chill breeze. He ground his teeth.

Lord, what should I do?

Sal looked left, then right. A cave! It was their only chance. He led the way to the farthest reaches of the shallow overhang, as quickly and quietly as he could. They settled back, and Sal put his hand over the boy’s mouth in case the kid might be in league with the NKPA. In Korea, you never knew who your friends were.

Sal’s body tensed. He reached for his rifle, but only grasped air. His hair stood on end. Marines didn’t take their weapons outside the rest area fence unless they sought punishment. Stiff penalties. Neither he nor Neal would risk that. Sal had nothing to defend them with, and if found, the enemy would shoot them on sight.

The shuffling sound of many feet echoed off the rock walls of their tenuous hiding place. His breath quickened, then a gnawing ache clenched his gut.

His hard gaze flew from his friend to the front of the cave. The silhouette of several men, rifles in hand, caused his eyes to widen and his chest to constrict. Then came the whispers of North Korean soldiers.

A man crept toward them, cautiously moving forward about three feet. Another two and no question about it: discovery, torture, death.

[Part II on Friday!]

Now This Is Romance

So, I told y’all about the horrors (for me) of the RWA conference, 2008. This installment covers the good stuff. Unfortunately, the good things aren’t funny, but what the heck? Just didn’t want ya to think everything was gnarly.

Once I made it on the plane, I thought, I must be on the Space Mountain ride at Disneyland…. I flew Virgin America. Their planes are Phly! (No pun intended … well, maybe.) The side lights overhead are neon amethyst, the seats are black leather (yeah, even in coach), the seatbacks are slick, pristine, white high-gloss whatever-they-make-’em–out-of (I realize I only allow my authors two such descriptive words, but I’m an agent, and this is my blog. Oh, the power…). Great leg room too.

They had lots of spiffy flight attendants, and I knew my other, other business (4 Gals Designs) was well on the way to making it big, cuz when I trolled down the aisle, flight attendant Brad took one look at the briefcase I made (not the one I nearly lost a thumb over), stopped me and said, “Oh, my. I love your bag!" (Sigh.)

The plane arrived on time and without incident: no crashes, no turbulence, no warning of a possible water landing—what a letdown! But at least the pilot and co-pilot came out to say goodbye, although neither commented on my bag. (Sigh.)

Hotel check-in was a breeze, unlike a few years ago at the Adam’s Mark when it took two hours of waiting in line. Some genius decided to book RWA and Mary Kaye at the same time. (Beastly!)

Since I was still incognito, as I was too late to register and get my name badge, two gals strollin’ toward the elevator didn’t know who I was. They were commenting on the ribbons on one of their badges. One gal was explaining what the PRO ribbon meant, (means you’ve submitted a full manuscript to an editor/agent and received an answer, even if it’s a rejection) and that as a PRO member, she was supposed to get a better shot at an agent appointment. I asked who she booked with, and she said she couldn’t get anyone. So, I got to play Santa. I whipped out a business card (from the sassy handbag I’d made in addition to the briefcase) and told her to show up fifteen minutes before my scheduled appointments. Man, she looked stunned. I love helping people. (Sigh.)

Next, I met my fantabulous roomie, Jennifer. Thank you, God. She’s great. Most agents don’t offer to share their room, and it wasn’t until later we found we were sharin’ more than that. The “Executive King Suite" not only had an “open floor plan,” but it only sported one bed! (I wanna know why they call it a suite when it had one room with a half-wall that hid the bed if you’re in the bathroom. Sheesh.) No worries. We managed nicely.

I had a great time at the Death by Chocolate Party, even though my clients didn’t win Daphnes. (Yeah, I agree, they were robbed.)

Friday mornin’ rolled around. I had no choice but to skip the showcase (editors from major houses tell everyone what they’re lookin’ for) I wanted to attend, and go buy some shoes, drat the luck! Of course, one pair wouldn’t be worth my time, so I bought three pairs (or would that be “three pair”?).

I loved seeing my clients at our annual Friday night dinner, as I don’t get a lot of face time with them. Some also made appointments with me. Sharp!

I ran into a gaggle of gals (well, not literally) who, boo-hoo, also didn’t get agent appointments. Yes, I already have too much to read, and yes, I wanted to meet with all of them anyway. Imagine spendin’ all that money for a conference and not getting’ an appointment. Not. On. My. Watch.

Poor Marjorie was workin’ a walker, and was last person to reach me. I had no time left. I’d booked every minute I wasn’t already meeting anyone, or attending something. (Yes, literally.) But wait … no obstacle can overcome “the mominator" (what daughter #3, The Genius Child, calls me). I asked Marjorie if she was game to put her walker into high gear and hoof it up to my room at 8:15 a.m. before my Saturday morning appointments. Think she wasn’t? (In Kelly-speak, that means “yes.")

In rolls the Mighty Marjorie. I was dressed, but sans make-up (and the brave lady still came in!) I moved the desk chair in front of the bathroom door for her to sit in, grabbed all the stuff that makes me look human (or close), and applied my make-up while Marjorie pitched. (See, told ya I was a regular gal.)

Skip to the appointment room. (No, I didn’t really skip.) All us “industry professionals" had little tables to sit behind with are appointment lists in front of us, and empty chairs across. No way I was gonna sit there and wait. I got up and moved to the empty-chair side.

I memorized the prospective clients’ names, and when the rigid line of hopefuls marched in with a wee bit of trepidation, I was all excited, leaning in to get a better view of the nametags. It felt like old times, when you could actually wait for your loved-one disembarking the plane to rush out into your awaiting arms—which is just what I did. I opened my arms wide and said, “There’s my Esther!, My Fiona (Julie couldn’t make it)!, My Mary!, My Marsha!, My Cindy!, My Barbara!, My Anne Marie!, My Sandra!" Gave each a big hug and babbled, “I’m honored you had one agent appointment, and ya chose me." (FYI: I meant it.)

Well, as if anything could get better than that, I snagged a coveted spot on Esri Rose’s “Shoe Revue." Only the coolest shoes make the cut. Yep, this proved what I’d known about me all along. I don’t crack under pressure and just settle for any old shoe. I found three gorgeous pairs (or would that be “three pair"?) in forty minutes flat (well, actually, I bought stilettos.).

To view my spiffy lava-like pumps and read my quality quote, go to: www.elvesamongus.com. On the right top margin, click on “Shoe Revue." My foot is under the header, “And I’ll take the even higher road…" I’m foot #1, of course. (Sigh.)

So, I make it home after another uneventful (boring) flight, and finally set foot on my piece of heaven on earth. What could be better?

My hubby (he’s such a sweet man) grins and tells me to sit down, as he has a surprise for me. My anniversary gift was comin’ early. Hmm. I sit, he reaches under the couch, then jostles to hide something behind his back. Hmm.

He jerks his hands forward, and reveals the prize. I jump up, I scream, I shout, “Yes! Yes!" with all the joy I can muster. What was in the box my hubby (he’s such a sweet man) handed me? AMMO! And I knew what was comin’ next. BOO-YAH!

Then it was in my hands, in all it’s titanium glory. A new Taurus, .38 Special (+P) Revolver. I know some of y’all opt for semi-automatics like the Glock or Sig, but a revolver has its place. Recently, a nasty Iraqi terrorist went to a local area and hassled a local chieftain. The chief refused to back down, so the nasty Iraqi pulled his Glock and fired at point-blank range. Oops! The Glock jammed. The chief calmly whipped out his revolver, probably unearthed from 500 A.D., fired, and shot that nasty Iraqi, who’ll never know why he didn’t get a shot off.

Still, I stood perplexed for a moment ’cause I already had a titanium, Taurus .45 Colt. Hmm. This new weapon was lighter, and the handgrip was the perfect size for me. How sweet is that hubby?! (And where’s that interrobang when ya need it?!) But wait, Johnny, that’s not all—no bored holes in the barrel. This puppy not only fires regular bullets, it shoots, you guessed it: SNAKESHOT! (Sigh.)

Now that’s what I call R-O-M-A-N-C-E. My hubby really is such a sweet man.

Welcome to My Worlds. (Sigh.)

A “Welcome to My Worlds: A Bipolar Christian Tells All” Story 

Since the Romance Writers of America’s (RWA) National Conference, 2009 is almost upon us, I thought a look back at my 2008 adventure appropriate. Here’s the tale of when I winged my way to beautiful San Francisco…

Being me, I planned way ahead of time. Overjoyed the conference was in California this year (it rotates from East, Central, West—although it takes less time to get from So Cal to Arizona than to Northern Cal), I realized I could actually avoid going on Wednesday. One extra day home. Double sigh. I guess I should clear something up. Yes, as an agent, I should wanna spend numerous days networking, but due to rampant Bipolar Disorder and numerous OCD’s (I make Monk look like a lightweight), I have juuust a bit of trouble changing my routine.

Anyway, I booked a 5:00 p.m. flight on Thursday, front of the plane on the aisle (for a quick getaway). The flight was only 1.5 hours, so that’d give me time to get acclimated. My agent appointments weren’t until Saturday morning, so I was set.

A few weeks later, I received an invite to the “Death by Chocolate” party. Two of my authors (Kelly Ann Riley, Terry Odell) were up for a Daphne award, and I figured I should be there. Is there such a thing as a triple sigh? So, I called my airline and changed my 5:00 flight to the 1:20 p.m. flight. Cost me $40.00, but I could justify the expense. I gritted my teeth and whipped out my debit card. Grrr.

Some of you know; I have three businesses. One being 4 Gals Designs for my custom line of handbags. I’d been taking sewing lessons at night, and was hoping to finish what I call a “mini-briefcase” to show off at the conference. Technically, it’s a laptop carrier, but I don’t like laptops. Can’t get used to the rollerball instead of the mouse. (Wonder if that would bother Monk?) The size is perfect for a partial or two, and the one I was making was so hot, it was cool.

I have to say, I’m darn good at most everything I try, but sewing? Oiy! I’m an artist. I love squiggly lines that trail off the page. If any of you sew, you know it’s kind of important to cut and sew straight. In my valiant attempt, I sewed through my thumb. Literally. Needle went through my nail and out the bottom/side.

I yelped, but didn’t cry. (I have a high threshold of pain.) My hubby (he’s such a sweet man) turned from his desk. He saw the blood and nearly fainted, then decided he had to “rush” me to the hospital for a tetanus shot. (The closest hospital is an hour away, so I’d probably bleed-out before arrival.) Besides, we’re too close to the Mexican border. In the Emergency Rooms around here, English is a second language. (Yeah, I know. But we’ll save that for another blog.) My hubby (he’s such a sweet man) froze. I told him to get his behind in gear and grab a paper towel, ’cause if I bled on my mini-briefcase, he was toast.

Then I got revenge on my sewing machine, so to speak—I broke the needle. (No, not with my other thumb.) Happens when working with heavy fabric. I have Brother computerized machines, and I think I need commercial-grade Singers. Grrr. No problemo. Exchange needle and re-thread machine, lickety split. (Wonder where that phrase came from.)

I worked feverishly, doing everything I could at home to save time at my next class. I always get hung up because the teacher doesn’t use the instructions that go with the pattern. She’s been sewing for roughly 100 years (I’m counting her time in the womb), and simply does things her way. Great … until I go home and try to follow the instructions and cute picture diagrams on the patterns. My 400-level finance classes were easier to figure out.

I was sure I’d finish the bag at my last class, the Tuesday night before I left. Nope. All these pesky problems cropped up, so I had to go it alone. No problemo. I was on the second-to-last step when I decided I needed to add a few things. I won’t give you the gory details. I stayed up all night. Well, close. I went to sleep at 4:30 a.m., and got up at 6:30 a.m. Then I tried to fix all the damage I’d caused the night before, but couldn’t. No bag. Grrr.

Lightbulb moment. I knew what would make me feel better. I cut and color my own hair. Not with that boxed stuff. I had to read up on the procedure and learn the process like the “pros.” (One should never stop learning new things. Right? Just don’t ask my thumb that question.) Never had a problem dyin’ my hair before. But a simple application of color couldn’t overcome my feelings of d—de—defeat. Nope. I figured a weave was in order. Didn’t matter that I’d never done one; I used to get them all the time. I had bleach and a dark blond-colored dye in my supply cupboard. I even had pre-cut foil. Didn’t matter that I had to catch a plane in a few hours. I’m a “go for it” kinda gal.

The bleach worked, except the hair at my part and in front processed lighter than the rest. Cool. Those dark-blond highlights around the face would soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. (Wonder who thought that idea up.) Step two: I applied the dye, then looked at the time. OMGosh!

I sprinted to the closet, grabbed some clothes, and tossed everything in my suitcase like it was last night’s soggy salad headed for the garbage. Except my shoes. Sigh. Those, I loving wrapped with tissue and care and placed them into the special bags made to slip inside my suitcase, all snug and safe. Double sigh.

Sheesh. I forgot; I still had to rinse the dye out of my hair! I streaked to the shower (no wisecracks) and shampooed. Couldn’t wait to see the new color. (I shoulda waited.) Orange! Yes, orange is my favorite color, but not on my hair. Grrr. What to do? No time to use more dye, and all I had left was my hubby’s (he’s such a sweet man) jet black. Talk about lookin’ like a walking gothic novel. No thanks. Ingenuity. I could handle this. I took a minute to think up a solution. (Actually, it was half a minute—thirty seconds was all I could spare.)

I rummaged through my used make-up drawer and found a sponge applicator and some chocolate-brown eye shadow. Perfect. My brassy orange turned into a sort of caramel color … kinda. That would suffice for the flight. On the way to the airport I could make a pitstop at the beauty supply store and pick up some non-permanent rinse. I figured I’d get to the conference and have plenty of time to implement the color change before the party. Whew. I felt better. Had to hurry, though.

I dressed in comfy clothes, and being the smart gal I am, slipped my feet into my black mules with the kitten heels. (Still haven’t found a pair of brown ones.) That way, when I hit the plastic containers at airport security, I could shuck the shoes off in record time.

My hubby (he’s such a sweet man) hefted my suitcase and off we went. If we broke Mach 1, I juuust might make my flight. I was already nervous, as I wasn’t flyin’ out of my airport: O-N-T, Ontario, CA. I know where everything is there, have the security checkpoints figured out, etc. They didn’t have a flight to San Fran, so we headed to our default: San Diego Airport.

First stop: Pick up the rinse. I rushed into the store, grabbed some Fanciful (never used it before, but how hard could it be?), a squirt bottle, and a pair of latex gloves, then zipped them in the outside pocket of my suitcase, and we were back in business, baby.

We pulled into the airport and it was late. I mean late. My flight departed in twenty minutes. Did I give up? Think I would? No way. We cruised curbside, but couldn’t find the Virgin America drop-off spot. Grrr. I figured I’d find it inside. My family waved goodbye, and I hustled (not the dance, although that used to be totally fun), trotted up and down, back and forth, but didn’t see a counter for Virgin. Grrr. Thinking it must be upstairs, I hit the elevator. (Not literally—with my luck, I’d anger “Hal” and the darn thing would stop between floors.) I taped my kitten heel, waitin’ for the chute to open so I could charge out like a scared calf.

Glance at my watch: Ten minutes until my flight flew. I looked up and smiled at the nice Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) lady, and waved my boarding pass and ID at her. I glanced at the disrobing line, trying to hide my scowl, and asked if I’d make a 1:20 flight. She checked her watch and nodded. Great. No problemo.

I stood behind four people and my Secret antiperspirant wasn’t keepin’ my secret. (No, I don’t really use the stuff, as they’ve linked aluminum with Alzheimer’s, but it made for a good line, don’t ya think?) At least the nice gentleman in front of me let me cut in front of him. (A last resort, I assure you.)

The nice TSA gentleman looked at the size of my bag, then at me. The depth of his frown wasn’t a good sign. He asked if I had any liquids over three ounces. Of course not; I knew the rules. Drat, my rinse! He told me I’d have to ditch it, or go back and check my bag. Since I had no idea where to check it, and my flight left in eight minutes, I coughed up the bottle. Grrr. If I hadn’t stopped to buy it, I wouldn’t have been so late. Sigh. I passed through the metal detector without a glitch. (I know, but the impossible happens at times.) Could I still make the flight? I juuust might squeak by.

Then another nice TSA lady flagged me and pulled me aside next to an elderly woman leaning on her walker, and a young gal cradling a tiny baby. (You never know; the newborn might be hidin’ an explosive device in his diaper.) I shoulda grabbed that white towel I dry my hair with instead of concentrating on my black mules. If they thought I was from the Middle East, they probably woulda saluted and given me a personal escort aboard the plane. (Yeah, I know. But we’ll save that for another blog.)

I grabbed my belongings and she gave me the favored parting words, “Don’t worry; you’ll make your flight.” I scooted to the gate where a lone dude with a nametag reading “John John” (no, I’m not kidding) said, “Are you Kelly?” I huffed out a yes and asked if I’d missed my 1:20 flight. Yep. I glanced at my watch, which read 1:15. I looked out the window and there was the plane, just restin’ up before the big flight. Unfortunately, it’d moved about three inches from the narrow hallway where passengers embark.

No problemo. I could jump it. (Have I mentioned I went to the state finals in track? Yeah, as a sprinter, but I was also nasty at the running long jump.) Yep, I’d simply squat into position, pound the ground at a flat-out run like a flamin’ demon trailed me (Or one of my ex-mother-in-laws. The second one, I think), tap my foot on the board, and soar through the air like I was Jonathon Livingston Seagull.

John John crushed my dreams of glory. Even though the plane wouldn’t go anywhere for another ten minutes, once they’d moved, no cigar. He asked if I wanted to be on standby for the 5:00 flight. I answered in the affirmative, but told him he’d have to wait a minute to sign me up, as I had an important errand to run.

I turned and hoofed it back to the security station. I figured if I had to wait 3.5 hours for the next flight, I might as well get my rinse back and check my bag. I’d have plenty of time to hunt for the elusive Virgin American counter.

I moved past the nice TSA lady who’d promised me I wouldn’t miss my flight, making sure my fake smile didn’t morph into a genuine grimace. (Didn’t wanna lose the yogurt she let me keep in the first round.) I politely asked the nice TAS gentleman for my rinse back, to which he informed me one of the lady janitors had just emptied his “rubbish receptacle” about one minute before I re-appeared. Grrr.

I turned away, head down, bag dragging. (Hey, even I have my limits.) Wait! Janitor at two o’clock! It only took me a minute to convince her I wasn’t a nut. (Which proves my theory I shoulda been an actor.) I don’t speak Spanish, and she didn’t speak English. (Yeah, I know. But we’ll save that for another blog.) She said something kinda resembling the word “ticket” and I nodded. (Not a lie, as I had no idea how close the words “hair rinse” and “ticket” were in Spanish.)

I almost grabbed the latex gloves meant for my rinse operation, but opted to go bare, confident in the knowledge my hubby (he’s such a sweet man) put a travel-size container of hand sanitizer in my gorgeous handbag. (Yep, I made that one. Well, that was the second time I made it. The first time I crashed and burned.) I rummaged through the trash, but no rinse. Grrr.

So, I trudged back to John John, and he put me on standby. I didn’t wanna contemplate what I’d do if I didn’t get on the 5:00. I parked it, and did some line editing after I called Gayle Link. (I tell ya, I couldn’t survive without that women. No joke. She’s the life-preserver in my sea of chaos.)

I wore a light sweater, but that infamous air conditioning kicked in. (The airport personnel have to make sure all those nice people visiting from Antarctica stay comfortable.) With no socks on (I was wearing mules; I had no choice!) I shivered. Great. I was a freezing, angry, miserable, bipolarized (if I say it’s a word, it’s a word) orange-haired woman who was gonna blowout two appointments (beastly!) in San Fran, and might miss the party as well. Could anything else go wrong? (Do I haveta answer that?)

A group of six teenaged boys showed up. No biggie until they set up a movie theater with a large-screen laptop and two speakers. I’m not sure, but they coulda been watching Animal House, or mayhap Porky’s. Either way, I found it difficult to give the manuscript a decent edit.

I spotted a row of seats in the high-traffic area. I caught my breath. (No, not literally.) My gaze fell on a skylight complete with a single beam of afternoon sun peeking onto the floor in a criss-cross pattern. (A tiny ray of warmth for the two blocks of ice I once called my humongous feet.) I stampeded my way toward the light like Colin Ferrell was over there, winkin’ at me. (What I really needed was a Xanax, but what if I fell asleep and missed the call for the flight?) Couldn’t risk it, so I stayed in “full manic mode.” Wasn’t pretty. I looked through the skylight to address my Maker. “Okay, God. I get the whole “Job-thing.” (Not job, JOB. Y’know, the guy who ate it, big-time.) “So, God, seriously, do Ya think You can stop now?”

John John approached. He informed me that when I’d gone on standby, there were seven seats available, but now there was one left. Did I want to reserve it? I pondered why he hadn’t given me that choice from the get-go (Wonder where that phrase came from.), but just said “yes.” He mentioned the additional cost: $25.00, oh, and I’d have to sit in the back of the plane, center seat.

Let’s recap, shall we? I’d paid for the 5:00 flight, front row, aisle seat; then paid $40.00 to switch to the 1:20; then paid another $25.00 to get back on my original flight, with a seat in back, dead center. I gritted my teeth and whipped out my debit card. Grrr.

Finally, at 7:35 p.m., I made it to the Marriot, knowin’ I was home-free. Just enough time to unpack and jam on over to the Death by Chocolate party. Went to my executive king suite where I met my lovely and sweet roomie, Jennifer Clark Vihel. (Sharing a room with her was one of the highlights of my stay, even though we soon realized there was one bed, and two of us. At least she can say she slept with an agent at a conference.) Then I unpacked.

No! Waves of shock shook my body. The room spun. I dove for my meds. The horror I found—or didn’t find—in my suitcase vaulted me over the precipice. Somehow, I’d left my separately wrapped, lovingly bagged shoes on my bed at home. “Grrr” didn’t cover it. I peeked at my shoes. Black mules with a kitten heel. Not exactly stylish enough for my RITA ceremony gown, or anything else I’d brought.

I delved deeper into the bowels of my suitcase, praying I was blind instead of bipolar, and my beautiful shoes were hiding under my Godzilla-sized make-up bag. (Gotta disguise all my flaws. Well, at least the ones on my face.) Sigh. No never-worn, fire-engine-red patent leather chunky heels. No black stilettos sporting tiny shoestring bows, toe cleavage, and pointy tips. (No, your toes don’t go all the way to the top. This style elongates the leg.) No copper metallic slingbacks … I can’t go on, it’s too painful.

I didn’t have my glorious shoes, but my extensive suitcase search did reveal three “ball of the feet” gel insoles, two packs of “heel protectors,” and two sets of “firming arch supports.” Grrr.

Welcome to My Worlds.

[Permission to Forward]

Kelly Mortimer of Mortimer Literary Agency Presents:

The First “Hangin’ with a Happenin’ Agent” Conference

Everyone knows I’m certifiably insane, so I need to keep up my rep. I’ve decided to have my own mini-conference. A one-woman conference. [or a two-woman, if ya count my bipolar disorder] Learn. Laugh. De-stress in beautiful Southern California.

WHY?

· Many writers belong to RWA, but can’t afford a trip to their D.C. conference.

· Many writers don’t belong to an organization, and don’t know where to start.

· Many writers can’t afford the high costs of conferences: conference fees, food, lodging, extra editing and seminar costs, transportation. Yikes!

· Many writers don’t get a chance to know an agent in a ten-minute appointment. I wanna make friends! I’m a good friend to have. [So my friends tell me….]

· Many writers don’t like conferences where thousands of people attend. [Sometimes it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond.]

· I guarantee you’ll leave my conference motivated, more knowledgeable, and well rested. [You’ll have downtime, and great ways to spend it.]

· Conference will benefit anyone who wants to rev up their writing, have fun with me, and possibly win ridiculous [the good ridiculous, meaning “awesome”] prizes.

GENERAL INFO:

Place: Calvary Chapel Conference Center, Murrieta, CA. [Note: This is a conference for ALL writers, not just inspirational writers]

Dates: Friday May 29, 2009 at 4 p.m.; to Sunday May 31^st at 10:15.

Registration: Deadline to have forms and money order in my hand: Thursday May 28

AGENDA:

• One-hour workshops with practical, hands-on advice to help writers in different aspects of their careers.
• A one-hour Motivational Speech [I dare ya not to be motivated.]
• A twenty-minute pitch appointment with moi.
• Question-and-Answer time
• Hangin’ out with me. Just wanna gab? I’m up for it.

AMENITIES: [It’s a sic spot, dudes!]

• Mammoth swimming pool [not a pool for Mammoths, it’s just gigantic]
• Roman Spa that holds 80 people [No worries. LOTS of chlorine.]
• 6 Natural Hot Springs
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Billiards
• Foos ball
• Ping-pong
• The grounds have fountains, waterfalls, palm trees; and rolling, green lawns.

FUN EXTRAS and PRIZES:

• I’ll bring some of my bodacious, blingy bags [custom-made handbags] from Four Gals Designs [www.4galsdesigns.com], as they aren’t yet available in high-end stores. They’re pricey (hundreds), but I’ll give y’all a discount.
• One fortunate attendee will WIN a handbag just for attending a workshop!
• Immediately following the conference, you can win lunch and shopping on me. [Well, I don’t want your lunch on me.][details follow]
• Drawing for a chapter (up to 30 pages) content/line edit.

COST:

• Workshops [kewl], Motivation [priceless], Pitch [my undivided attention—oh, forgot, I’m bipolar…sorry.], All Five Meals (two breakfasts, one lunch, two dinners), and Lodging. [Lodging is dorm-style: two-to-six people per room, but the rooms are off the rip—and I’ll be stayin’ in one of them. Pillow fight, anyone?]

• Total cost for the entire weekend of information, fun, and R&R is only $250.00! Period. Everything’s covered except transportation. An awesome deal!

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

Friday:

4:00-5:00 Check in

5:00-5:30 Orientation

5:30-7:00 FREE TIME! Unpack, rest, explore the acreage of waterfalls, gardens, etc., or use the fab facilities.

7:00-7:45 Dinner

8:00-9:00 Motivational Speech: How I Went from Worthless to Worthwhile

Saturday:

8:00-8:45 Breakfast

9-10:00 Workshop: Extreme Makeover: Editing Edition, Part 1 (Bring THREE Full-

Page Overheads of Your Work, and We’ll Edit them!)

10-12:00 Appointments (If you don’t have an appointment, this is FREE TIME!

Rest, explore the acreage of waterfalls, gardens, etc., or use the fab facilities.)

12-12:45 Lunch

1:00-2:00 Workshop: Extreme Makeover: Editing Edition, Part 2 (Bring THREE Full-

Page Overheads of Your Work, and We’ll Edit them!)

2:15-4:00 Appointments (If you don’t have an appointment, this is FREE TIME! Rest, explore the acreage of waterfalls, gardens, etc., or use the fab facilities.)

4:00-5:00 Workshop: Query Letters and Synopses – Make a Great First and Last Impression

5:00-6:00 Let’s hang out! Informal question and answer session, or we’ll just gab. (No pitches allowed!)

6:00-6:45 Dinner

7:00-8:00 Workshop: Bleak to Chic – Dress for Success (My version of What Not to Wear.) Lookin’ great gives you the confidence you need in a field where rejections abound. One fortunate attendee to this workshop will win a $100.00 gift card to buy a new outfit, and if you stay until the conference is over, we’ll go to lunch, and then I’ll take you to the mall and give ya advice on how to spend your winnings!

Sunday:

8:00-8:45 Breakfast

8:45-9:00 Drawing for Four Gals Designs handbag and Chapter Edit. Collect survey sheets. Closing remarks for those who don’t have Sunday appointments and wanna bail.

9:15 Shuttle to airport, or hang out until noon (when they kick ya out).

9:15-10:15 Appointments (If you don’t have an appointment, this is your last chance to take advantage of the facilities until noon, or you can get the heck outta Dodge.)

10:30-1:30 Shopping trip and lunch for workshop winner, if still around. (Hint: Duh!)

ACQUISITIONS LIST:

[You don’t have to write in the genres listed below to attend. Still have great info.]

• Single Title and Category/Series
• Contemporary Romance/Romantic Comedy (No Chick Lit)
• Historical Fiction
• Historical Romance
• Paranormal/Fantasy/Speculative (Both romance and not)
• Romantic Suspense (No Cozy Mysteries)
• Suspense/Thrillers
• Women’s Fiction
• Young Adult/Middle Grade
• Non-Fiction
• Screenplays/TV Scripts

Not Looking For:

• Science Fiction
• Children’s Books
• Westerns
• Poetry

ABOUT THE AGENCY/KELLY MORTIMER:

• Kelly is a Two-Time Nominee, and the American Christian Fiction Writers “Agent of the Year,” 2008
• Top 5 : Publisher’s Marketplace Top 100 Dealmakers–Romance Category, 2008
• Top 10: Publisher’s Marketplace Top 100 Dealmakers–Romance Category, 2007
• Founder and Operating President of the new Christian Writers’ Organization, CMA: Christian Media Association www.joincma.org (not live yet)
• Represents ABA Writers (Secular), and CBA Writers (Inspirational)
• Agency is Romance Writers of America (RWA) Recognized www.rwanational.org
• Member: Orange County Chapter, RWA www.occrwa.org
• Monthly Snarky Humor Columnist - Christian Fiction Online Magazine www.christianfictiononlinemagazine.com
• Monthly “Ask an Agent” Columnist - Romance Writers United http://rwunited.freehostia.com
• Agency Site: www.mortimerliterary.com
• Web Site For Writers: www.perilsofpublishing.com
• Blog: www.welcometomyworlds.com
• Loop: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Agent_of_the_People

MISCELLANEOUS INFO:

• Handouts for workshops given
• No tape recorders, please.
• If traveling via air, Ontario Airport (ONT) is the closest, roughly 40 minutes from the site. We’ll run one shuttle from the airport on Friday at 3:00 p.m.—can fit the first 6 people who request a ride, and one on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. No charge!
• Dress is ultra-casual. [I know what I said about dressin’ up, but not for this conference.]
• More questions? E-mail me: kmortimer@mortimerliterary.com
• Sorry, no refunds.

Let me know if you’re in, I’ll e-mail you a registration form, then you pony up the dough by Cashier’s Check or Money Order only, made out and sent to:

Kelly Mortimer

52645 Paui Road

Aguanga, CA 92536

Hope to meet some serious, non-hobby writers and get to know ya. Boo-Yah!

The dreaded bailout has passed the House, but not the Senate. My first question is: What the heck is President Bush thinkin’? I’m pleasantly astonished that a few conservatives finally found their backbones and told him, “No!” Sheesh. You’d think he was a liberal the way he spends our money. I give him points on protecting us, and that he’s pro-life, but his reckless spending [to me, anything that doesn’t haveta do with the military], and his comments on the Bible don’t make him my favorite president. Are we ever gonna get a true conservative to vote for? [Sorry, my clients need me.]

This is insanity gone rampant. Don’t the idiots [pardon] that run GM and Chrysler realize they’re being NATIONALIZED? Does our government seek to run everything? [Actually, if you think like the liberals, the answer is yes, as they know what’s best for us. And, oh, we need them to take care of us.]

First, the banks/mortgage companies. That frosts me, as the bleepin’ Democrats forced sub-prime loans down their throats, then what happens? People can’t pay, and the government has to bailout the industry. Pardon, WE bailout the industry. It’s our tax money. [Wonder where all that money already appropriated for the banking industry disappeared to?]

As for the car manufacturers, what a joke. Guess what? This really isn’t a bailout for the automakers; it’s a bailout for the UAW (United Auto Workers Union). They don’t wanna lose their bloated concessions. Do you realize that automakers have to pay pensions after union workers are dead? When they can’t work? How high their wages are? (Approximately 70 bucks an hour for a line worker, including benefits.) The Japanese get $45; in India, $19.00 an hour. What about the suits? Roughly 20 million a year [I bet those suckers get free cars too.] I saw Norma Rae, but this is ridiculous [the bad connotation].

Add to that the libs and the environmental fascists put so many restrictions on our automakers, it’s no wonder they’re in trouble. What with the CAFE standards (Corporate Average Fuel Economy), which tells Detroit the MPG they should get for the types of cars they sell, I’m shocked they didn’t ask for a handout sooner. Now the Democrats wanna have a “Car Czar” oversee the industry and control the money. Want Nancy Pelosi tellin’ you you haveta drive a Yugo, right before she takes off in a gigantic military plane? [Where are those terrorists when ya need ’em. Yes, that was a joke … kinda.]

Will it end? GM and Chrysler said they need $14 billion to operate through March 31. We’re lookin’ at up to 25 billion to start. Since they’re losin’ about 2 billion a month, this bailout is milk money. It’s usin’ a Band Aide for a decapitation. No. No! NO!

What about the foreign automakers? They get a free ride. [You know, the companies that assemble cars here, so you really aren’t buying a “foreign” car.] They aren’t unionized, so they can afford to sell their cars for less money. I don’t care if I had two broken legs and a broken arm. I’d use my good arm to drag myself down the road before I’d buy a foreign car. [Yes, I had a 7-series BMW, but that was when I was in my 30’s, young and stupid. FYI: If anyone sees me drivin’ that KIA Minivan, it’s a rental. Driving it is my punishment for killin’ the Silver Bullet, may she rest in peace.]

Look, I don’t want a bunch of people out of work, but this can’t be helped. We have a system for businesses that can’t make a go of it—it’s called bankruptcy. Oh, but the automakers are too big. We can’t afford to lose them! That doesn’t mean they go out of business, they just have to reorganize and get leaner and meaner. Nearly all the major airlines went through bankruptcy. Gone on a trip recently? Gee, somehow we still have airplanes to fly us places.

What about the publishing industry? I don’t see the government charging in to stop layoffs there. And the newspapers. [Actually, the leftist papers are getting’ what they deserve.] But, seriously, don’t the liberals care about writers? Editors? Agents? Truth is, no one bails our businesses out. Yeah, some of the problems stem from idiotic policies and the UAW, but some blame falls on the suits as well. Either way, I don’t think they’re entitled to my money.

We need to lose CAFÉ standards. We need to lose our Democrat-controlled Congress. We need to lose the corrupt union bosses—all of which are strangling the industry.

That’s it for now. This makes me ill, especially that some Republicans are for the bailout.

President Bush, ya done us wrong!

K. – “The Crazed Conservative”

Ode to Obama

(Sung to the theme songs [one at the beginning of the show, one at the end] from Gilligan’s Island)
Lyrics by Kelly Gottuso Mortimer
Copyright 2008

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started with the “Messiah,”
Who’d make the Clintons flip.

The mate was a mighty speakin’ man
Whose words were brave and sure,
Fifty-two percent would vote that day
For a three-year Sen-a-tor.

A three-year Sen-a-tor. [Sound of thunder: Crack!]

The economy started getting rough,
Dow averages were tossed
If not for the courage of a fearless man,
The U.S. would be lost.

The U.S. would be lost.

The Weather Underground had a man in this
Who’d reach across the aisle—
With Reverend Wrighhht, the ACORN crew,
Plus William Ayerssss, and his wife
Rez-ko, Rashid—the Professors and Farrakhan,
Hear the liberals sighhh.

So, this is the wail of conservatives—
“They’re here for a long, long time.
We’ll have to make the best of things,
It’s an uphill climb.”

The First Lady and Joe Biden too,
Will do their very best
To make Obama comfortable,
While on his hairbrained quest.

No coal! No oil! No motor cars! Not a single luxury,
Like Marx is spreadin’ wealth, oh, it’s primitive as can be.
So join us in four years my friends; you’re sure to get a smile,
’Cause Palin’s gonna win the day; the Libs are in denial!

K. - “The Crazed Conservative”

SAXBY WINS IN A LANDSLIDE! No super-majority for the dems. in the Senate. Thanks to all who donated to goptrust.com! 

Promise #2 - Broken: Raise Taxes on the “Rich”

There is a God. Looks like all us “rich folk” get a reprieve for now. I know, all you poor people lookin’ for a handout counted on Obama spreadin’ the wealth, but here’s a newsflash:

WASHINGTON – An economic crisis, rising joblessness and a credit squeeze can make a president-elect refine his words. Today’s word is “repeal.” During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to repeal President George W. Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy [GRR.] ahead of their scheduled expiration in 2011.

It was part of how Obama would pay for an overall net tax cut aimed at low- and middle-income taxpayers, and an effort to bring what he called “fairness” to the tax system.

No one is talking tax hikes now.

Over the weekend, Obama said he has charged his new economic team with devising a plan that would create or preserve 2.5 million jobs over two years. He said the plan would include broad spending plans as well as the middle- and low-income tax cuts he described during the campaign.

Aides later said the plan would not include any of the tax increases Obama, as a candidate, had said he would impose on taxpayers who make more than $250,000.

Asked Monday when those hikes might go into effect, Obama said, “Whether that’s done through repeal, or whether that’s done because the Bush tax cuts are not renewed, is something that my economic team will be providing me a recommendation on.” [But, I thought You had all the answers.]

If repealed early, Obama’s tax increase on the rich would have generated significant revenue, but not enough to compensate for the cost of his tax cuts. An analysis by the Tax Policy Center, based on January 2008 income projections, estimated that the increases would result in about $43 billion in revenue in 2009 and $45 billion in 2010. Those numbers would be smaller now, as the economy has lowered expected incomes.

Obama’s economic advisers say he will not propose any tax increases in the economic plan he unveils in January. It is to be focused entirely on job creation and economic recovery.

Okay, actually, here’s his “big idea.” Focus on Green alternatives for fuel, [Well, since he’ll stop offshore drilling, won’t touch ANWR, wants to bankrupt the coal industry, and reduce funding for nuclear power, he’d better think of something or a lot of people are gonna be awfully cold.] Also, get that infrastructure goin’. [States have already proven that doesn’t work. Guess Mr. Obama wants to learn from his mistakes.]

Promise #3 - Broken: Raise Taxes on Oil Companies

Happy Thanksgiving! I’ve missed you. Well, it’s time to keep track of Mr. Obama. First, we have an emergency on our hands. Al Frankenstein is trying to steal the Senate race in one state, and in Georgia, Saxby is under fire. WE HAVE TO WIN THESE SEATS! As is, Mr. McCain will vote with Obama supporters on things like illegal alien amnesty. These new “citizens” will be votin’ one day. Who do ya think they’ll vote for? The Hispanic vote, not the Black vote is what gave Obama the win. The Black vote only increased by 1%. Young vote was nearly the same as in 2004.

I urge each conservative to make a donation to www.goptrust.com. Saxby’s opponent has deep pockets, and Saxby needs our help. I’ve already donated twice, but I just donated again. We can’t let the liberals who already control both houses and the White House, get a non-filibuster-proof Senate. As you’re reading this, they’re planning their assault on our conservative talk radio hosts via the “Fairness” Doctrine that my hero Ronald Reagan got rid of. Even if ya only have 10 bucks, send it. Every little bit helps!

From the Office of the Gal Reporting on the President-Elect

Whaddaya know. Seems like we have two presidents. Obama’s lookin’ like he’s movin’ in on the morrow. When he makes an announcement, American flags stand proudly behind him, backin’ him up. He grasps the lectern, and this is what chaps my hide, the lectern sports a huge sign: “The Office of the President-Elect.” 

Hello? There’s no such thing. Check the Constitution. [That living, breathing document Mr. Obama said has deep flaws that continue to this day.] Does Mr. Obama even realize he isn’t the President-Elect yet? That’s right, people. As per the Constitution, [boy, that’s an annoying document] the Electoral College has to convene after December 10, then elect Mr. Obama based on the results of the Nov. 4 general election.

Now, we do have The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 [amended in 2000 by my presidential pick, Sen. Fred Thompson; Sen. Joe Lieberman, who stood by his friend, which I admire; and Sen. Dick Durbin]. As amended, the bill provides training for presidential appointees, and background checks to ensure we get people vetted properly, and confirmed for office. [Ah, who did background checks on … oh, never mind.]

Mr. Obama gets a budget of a cool 12 million dollars, 5.2 of that Congress allocated, the rest came from private donations [I don’t think there’s one pre-paid credit card left in the entire state of Illinois….]; and an office and staff [Mr. Obama has 500 staffers. Question: How many staffers does it take to keep Mr. Biden from gaffing publically? Answer: One, as long as she’s packin’ a giant roll of duct tape. I’ll volunteer.]

Look, I know we’re in a crisis and Mr. Obama needs to jump in, but that “The Office of the President-Elect” sign is disrespectful to our sitting president, and it’s tacky. And people say I’m arrogant. Sheesh!

Already Breakin’ Campaign Promises

Didn’t take long. He’s not even due to take office until Jan. 20. I’ll be keeping track of promises, both kept and broken.

Broken Promise #1: CHANGE

Let’s see:

Hillary Clinton: Secretary of State- Former First Lady and rival for the White House. Mortal enemy who woulda stomped all over him in a dark alley, but her neon pantsuits kept givin’ her away. Only Foreign Policy credentials refer to photo ops taken while riding camels.

Rahm Emanuel: Chief of Staff- Clinton Administration. Chicago political operative. In the dictionary, referenced next to the word “Partisan”—sorry, RABID partisan—cross-references: Wise Guy, Enforcer, Hit Man, Pit Bull, One Scary Dude. Another caveat: Rahm looks out for Rahm, but I guess that’s Mr. Obama’s problem. [I can see Rahm reaching across the aisle—to strangle a couple of conservatives….]

Bill Richardson: Commerce Secretary- Clinton Administration. Offered Monica Lewinsky a job at the United Nations. Mayhap an attempt to buy her silence on behalf of President Clinton? [No way– ya think?] And … both Democrat and Republican senators slapped him around cuz the rocket scientist didn’t safeguard nuclear secrets after leavin’ his U.N. post to take a spin as Energy Secretary. [My kinda guy.]

Eric Holder: Attorney General- Clinton Administration. Pardoned Marc Rich. Remember him? The fugitive billionaire Clinton pardoned before he got outta Dodge. Rich’s estranged wife, [or is that “strange” wife?] Denise Rich, was one of Bill’s major donors. [Major Baggage! What’s Obama thinkin’? Oh, I guess he isn’t.]

Janet Napolitano: Secretary, Homeland Security Department-

Timothy Geithner: Treasury Secretary- Hmm. President of the New York Fed. [Not Federal Prison.] I have a problem with Republicans who aren’t Republicans. Well, he’s an Independent now, but in Obama’s corner. Might be a great pick, but he’s no economist. Rescued Bear Stearns. AIG. Flip-flopped on rescuing Lehman. [I’m not fond of flip-floppers.] Dunno. Since the NY Fed is supposed to take care of the financial institutions on Wall Street, which are goin’ down in flames, is he the guy we want?

And:

Mr. Obama’s keepin’ Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense. [Whoo-hoo, bet the far-left libs are lovin’ him for that pick!]

Change? Who? Where? I don’t see any. Looks like a Clinton White House reunion. But what’s Obama gonna do? He doesn’t have enough connections. He has a small pool of talent to draw from because he hasn’t spent a lot of time on the Hill. Sorry—Ayers, Wright, Farrakhan, Resko, Khaldi, [never did get to see that video], etc., aren’t qualified. Mayhap Mr. Obama can corral some of the ACORN workers, or the gang who broke the law to gather dirt on Joe the Plumber. [And Mr. Obama says he’s for the workin’ man? Well, mayhap those who support him….]

About CHANGE, Mr. Obama said: “Understand where the vision of change comes from first and foremost. It comes from me. [What is “it,” exactly, and when is “it” coming?] That is my job, to provide a vision in terms of where we’re going [Where are we going, exactly?] and make sure that my team is implementing it.” [How, exactly? Oh, I forgot. You have Rahm to keep ’em in line.]

Promise #2 next week.

K.

Okay, so I put myself out there. I fight for what and whom I believe in. I can deal with hate mail, although it chaps my hide that these people choose to clog my e-mail box instead of posting on the blog, as is proper. Of course, I rarely get a real name. I can at least respect those who don’t heckle-and-hide. The others are cowards.

My problem is, I can’t seem to stop myself from answering them, even though I spend hours, at a detriment to my health. I have tennis elbow (both arms) and I’m not supposed to use the computer. But then, how would I help writers? This time, I’m answering on the blog, as is proper. We’ll call this person “Sonny,” as I don’t have his/her real name. In the future, no matter how it pains me. I’m going to delete any such e-mails. I have to. It’s early, and my arms are so numb I can barely type.

Here we go…

Sonny thinks I’m a “piece of work.” You’re correct. I don’t know many people like me. Thanks for the compliment.

Sonny doesn’t know if I’m a Christian. Well, Sonny, I don’t call myself a Christian. I call myself a Jesus-lovin’ woman.

Sonny has friends, “so-called” Christians, who enjoy drinking, cursing, fornication, adultery, and pornography. They then state the Grace of God covers them. Sonny wonders if that’s the kind of Christian I am. Sonny,  I don’t drink, curse, fornicate, commit adultery, like pornography, nor do I smoke or do drugs. I used to drink, curse, fornicate, commit adultery, smoke, and do drugs. Never liked pornography. As to your friends, I don’t see them as what I would call Christians. God tells us He won’t be mocked. If they misrepresent Him, they will have to suffer the consequences. I don’t agree with their philosophy, if you’re presenting them correctly. I can only speak of my salvation.

Sonny wonders if I cringe when a when a person running for a secular job “is for” secular issues. From what I remember from elementary school, I believe those who founded this country did so to flee religious persecution. They wanted the right to worship as they pleased. I think our currency says, “In God We Trust.” No matter. Regardless of the radical Pro-Abortion, Pro-Partial-Birth Abortion, Pro-Infanticide stance of Mr. Obama, his views on secular issues trouble me.

I have business degrees in finance and contract law. I’ve studied Macro and Micro Economics. I’m well-versed in all areas of Politics. And wouldn’t ya know it–I even have a high I.Q.! I’ve listened to hours of Mr. Obama’s interviews and speeches, as well as those of other politicians. I am qualified to make the assessments I’ve made. Mr. Obama’s views are Socialist and Marxist. History has proven this type of regime does not work.

Why do immigrants flock here? Because they say we offer a land of opportunity, where a person can aspire to something, and achieve it. It’s called C-A-P-I-T-A-L-I-S-M. We have (mayhap had) a Capitalist society. People with ideas can pursue them and become successful, tax-paying, economy-helping individuals. Our economy is run-down due to rampant spending by Congress–spending money the country doesn’t have. Raising taxes on anyone during a recession, or when we’re close to one, is foolhardy. One needs to free-up capital to drive the economy. Give people more money to spend so businesses flourish and can expand. Printing more money only causes inflation. I’m not going to continue to educate you, Sonny. No more time.

Sonny doesn’t know about me, but Sonny isn’t voting for a pastor. Well, Sonny, there was no pastor running for either of us to vote for. There was in my primary, but I didn’t vote for him.

Sonny mentioned Mr. Obama has a lot of baggage. I agree. He also lied about it, and when caught, played it down. I don’t know about you, Sonny, but I’m not comfortable having a man who could not qualify to become an FBI Agent, CIA, nor even a lowly staffer for the NSA, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Sonny remarks that Christ came to heal the sick [meaning He came to save sinners, as the saved have salvation]. Sonny believes the sick include presidential candidates. I agree. Sonny then lists Mr. McCain’s faults. He is for stem-cell research, he committed adultery 30 years ago, etc. Sonny, he’s also a man who spent more years in prison in a foreign country suffering torture, than Mr. Obama has spent in the Senate. I thought you were concerned with “secular” issues? Stem- cells and adultery do not fit into that category.

Yes, he loves his friend, Joe Lieberman, an Independent who is Pro-Abortion. But Mr. Lieberman is for limited abortion: “When the health of a woman is involved, I think the government has to be respectful. I supported, in fact, a bill in the Senate that would have prohibited late-term abortions, except in cases where the health or life of the mother was involved. I did not support the so-called partial-birth abortion bill because it would have prohibited abortion–that form of abortion at any state of the pregnancy, regardless of the effect on the health and life of the woman, and that’s unacceptable.” Source: Vice-presidential debate Oct 5, 2000  So between an Obama/Biden ticket, or a McCain/Lieberman ticket, there’s still a clear choice on which ticket is more Pro-Life.

Sonny mentions Mrs. Obama has suffered discrimination. I feel sorry for her. I do not think that justifies her statement that because her husband was the Democrat nominee, it was the first time in her adult life she’s been proud of her country.

Sonny says it’s a free county. Yes, and our freedoms are at stake when a president reveres Socialistic and Marxist policies. He wants civilian security forces and czars. He wants to reinstate the “Fairness” Doctrine, which all know is an attempt to squelch freedom of speech. He wants to keep children stuck in inferior public schools, although he won’t have his children attend them. He wants government to control healthcare, which takes away choices, and the government cannot afford. No more time to elaborate, but I could go on indefinitely.

Sonny thinks people should be able to vote for who they want based on the issues that concern them. I agree, and never stated otherwise.

Sonny has a friend who is a “one-issue” candidate, that issue being Pro-Life. Sonny loves and supports his/her friend’s stance. I’m proud of you, Sonny, although your e-mail to me makes the former statement suspect. I’m prouder of your friend. Does he/she need an agent?

Sonny says I should just be a Christian and pray, disciple, and judge the body of Christ. Sorry, Sonny. This Jesus-lovin’ gal will continue to pray, but not only for the body of Christ. As you said, Christ came to heal the sick. I’m praying for Mr. Obama, and that he’ll withstand the trials he’ll face. I’m praying for our country, which is in dire need of an intervention, but not the kind Mr. Obama proposes. I’m going to pray for you as well. As to judging, that’s above my pay-grade. Judge not, lest ye be judged. I’m the least judgmental Jesus-lovin’ woman you’ll find, ’cause I was a sinner-woman, big-time. If there was a sin, I committed it. And now, I let everyone know it. Know who I was, so they can see how Jesus can change a person.

Sonny says Satan is using me to divide the body of Christ.  No, Sonny, that would be Mr. Obama. Not all, but some Pro-Life Christians ignored Mr. Obama’s radical Pro-Abortion views because they wanted to see a man who’s half-white become the President of the United States. They’ll have to live with themselves, but they didn’t vote a Pro-Abortion ticket because of anything I wrote.

Sonny has friends, [those “so-called” Christian ones I mentioned above] who never got angry with Sonny when Sonny sinned, but are angry with Sonny for voting for Mr. Obama. What can I say, Sonny? In the future, choose friends who stand for something. Choose friends who have unwavering convictions. Choose friends who practice what they preach. Choose friends who won’t desert you because you think differently on certain issues. Choose friends who believe in a cause, and fight for it, even though they know they’ll receive phantom e-mails from people who criticize them for speaking out. Choose friends who love all people. If you can’t find anyone like that, look no further. I’m right in front of you.  

K.

Hey, Y’all.

Last day to blog before the election. Didn’t finish my A-Z series. Not because there wasn’t enough info, but because there was too much. Instead, I opted to let Mr. Obama do the talking for me, by listing his quotes, his latest scandals, and an interview I did with my daughter this morning. Away we go…

I decided to do an interview about the upcoming election with my just-turned ten-year-old genius child, in terms anyone could understand. I DID NOT coach her in any way. No inflection in the voice, no winks, nothin’. These are her answers.

Q: Do you know what the economy is?
A: It’s about how much money people spend and invest, and about how many people are out of work.

Q: Which is called …
A: Unemployment.

Q: We’re having a presidential election tomorrow.
A: I know, Mom. [Well, pardon me!]

Q: Right now, the economy isn’t doing well. The government needs more money. Capital gains are when people invest and make a profit. Do you understand? (Yes.) People pay taxes on that profit. History shows that when the capital gains tax is lower, the government gets more money. Would you vote for the candidate who wants to raise the capital gains tax, or the candidate who doesn’t?
A: The candidate that doesn’t. The other one doesn’t make sense.

Q: If the economy is doing poorly, people usually have less money to spend, and prices on food and gas, etc., are higher. Knowing this, would it be smart to raise taxes on anyone?
A: No.

Q: One of the candidates wants to give people who don’t pay taxes, tax refunds or credits.
A: That doesn’t make sense either.

Q: Michaela, you don’t get an allowance, but you have money in your savings account, and a few hundred dollars in your room. How do you make your money?
A: I earn it working for you in your business. [No, she isn’t editing your manuscripts. She works for my handbag business.]

Q: What if the government said they thought someone else needed the money you earned more than you did, and took some of your money away, and gave it to another person who hadn’t earned it.
A: Mom, that would be stealing.

Q: So, you don’t think that’d be fair?
A: No. (the “Duh” look)

Q: If one candidate wanted to do this, and one didn’t, which candidate would you vote for?
A: The one that let me keep the money I earned.

Q: Are you a Christian?
A: Yes.

Q: Do you know what abortion is?
A: Yes.

Q: As a Christian, do you believe abortions are okay?
A: No.

Q: Do you know what a “partial birth” abortion is?
A: No.

Q: The definition is (loosely): The baby is partially delivered, and then the doctor depresses the baby’s head, or punctures the skull to make sure the baby isn’t born alive. Do you understand?
A: Yes.

Q: What word comes to mind for that process?
A: Putrid. [Out of the mouths of babes.]

Q: I was looking for a different kind of word.
A: (pause) Murder.

Q: Would you vote for the candidate who supports abortion, or the one who doesn’t?
A: The one that doesn’t.

Q: Some babies survive abortion. One candidate wants to let those babies live. The other voted 3 times for those babies not to live. Which candidate would you vote for?
A: The one that doesn’t want to kill the babies.

Q: We pay taxes so when we retire, we’ll have money. It’s called Social Security. Right now, the government controls Social Security. They’ve told us we might be paying that tax, but when we retire, the money might not be there for us. One candidate wants to let the government keep control of all the money from the taxes. One candidate wants to give each person a choice on how to invest a part of that money on their own. Which candidate would you vote for?
A: Okay, so we can either let the government keep all the money for us, or they keep some, and I have a choice on how I invest the rest of it? (Yes.) I’d vote for the person that gave me the choice.

Q: Right now, we have health insurance that helps us pay when we need to go to the doctor. Some people can’t afford it. One candidate wants the government to take over healthcare so everyone can go to the doctor, but the government is in charge. One candidate wants to give people a credit to help you pay for insurance, and you’d choose what kind of insurance you buy. Do you understand? (Yes.) Which candidate would you vote for?
A: The one that gave me the money to buy my own.

Q: When you go to school, you say the pledge of allegiance to the flag, don’t you?
A: Yes.

Q: Why?
A: To show respect for the flag, and the country.

Q: One candidate wants to stop people from burning the flag, spitting on the flag, etc. One candidate voted against protecting the flag. Which candidate would you vote for?
A: The one that wants to protect the flag.

Q: Most people in America know how to speak English. Some don’t. One candidate wants to make English the official language of our country. Do you understand? (Yes.) One voted against having English be the official language of the United States. Which candidate would you vote for?
A: The one that wants English to be our language.

Kelly: Well, that’s it. Thanks for doing the interview.
Michaela: So, Mom, which candidate did I vote for?
Kelly: John McCain
Michaela: (Smile)(She knows that’s who we’re voting for.)

The choice is obvious, even to a ten-year-old (or a caveman–what’s wrong with everyone else?)….

QUOTES: I want you to hear from the candidate. Here are some quotes from Mr. Obama:

OBAMA on the Coal Industry he just said he’d bankrupt:

Coal officials call Obama comments ‘unbelievable’ and a ‘disaster’- (An audio excerpt from the interview can be found at YouTube.) The senior vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association called Obama’s comments “unbelievable. His comments really reflect a very uninformed voice and perspective to coal specifically and energy generally.”. Mike Carey, president of the Ohio Coal Association (OCA), today issued the following statement in response to just-released remarks from Senator Barack Obama about the nation’s coal industry.

McCain and Obama: Where they stand on the issues. Almost entirely fair, and I’m definately unbalanced…. 

 Hi Everyone,

Instead of just attacking [well, I wasn’t really attacking before, I was giving information in my own special way], I decided to list the major issues facing us, give the position of both candidates, and a few quotes and facts. You may be surprised at some of my findings. I’ve often said Senator McCain is too moderate for me! Of course, there are bits of snarky humor—just bits.
 
I pray both sides will read this blog, so they know where their candidate stands, and can compare their candidate with the opposing candidate.

[Information mostly obtained by SenateMatch. They’ve compiled their rating by following the votes of the senators, and from answers during debates, etc. Scale: Strongly Favors, Favors, Neutral, Opposes, Strongly Opposes]

Smiles,
Kelly

Mr. McCain’s Positions: [All quotes are Mr. McCain’s unless otherwise stated.]

PRINCIPLES

America is an idea and a cause worth fighting for -
 “I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here; I loved it for its decency, for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn’t my own man anymore, I was my country’s.”

I’m running for president because my country saved me -

“I’m not running for president because I think I’m blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God.”

My most basic conservative principle: liberty comes from God -

“I am proud to be a conservative, and I make that claim because I share with you that most basic of conservative principles: that liberty is a right conferred by our Creator, not by governments, and that the proper object of justice and the rule of law in our country is not to aggregate power to the state but to protect the liberty and property of its citizens. And like you, I understand, as Edmund Burke observed, that “whenever a separation is made between liberty and justice, neither… is safe.” 

ABORTION– Opposes

Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record.
Rated 75% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion.

Voted YES on SB 230 - Banning partial birth abortions
Definition: ‘Partial-Birth Abortion’ refers to a late-term abortion method which induces a breech delivery, then collapsing the fetal skull before completing delivery. [Sounds like “death-by-blunt-force-trauma-to-the-head” to me.] This procedure is banned in 24 states.

Voted YES on prohibiting transporting minors across state lines for abortion.
Voted YES on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.
Does not support Roe v. Wade, but would keep incest & rape exceptions.

“I am pro-life and an advocate for the Rights of Man everywhere in the world, because to be denied liberty is an offense to nature and nature’s Creator. I will never waver in that conviction. Our liberty will not be seized in a political revolution or by a totalitarian government. But, rather, as Burke warned, it can be “nibbled away, for expedience, and by parts.” I am alert to that risk and will defend against it, and I will be encouraged in that defense by my fellow conservatives.” (Source: Speeches to 2008 Conservative Political Action Conference Feb 7, 2008)

[AFFIRMATIVE ACTION] -  Neutral

Rated 7% by the NAACP, indicating an anti-affirmative-action stance.
Voted YES on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds.
Voted YES on keeping special funding for minority & women-owned business.
Affirmative action OK for specific programs, but no quotas

BUDGET and ECONOMY

Voted YES on capping foreign aid.
Voted YES on $17.9 billion to the International Monetary Fund. (IMF)

Has Extensive Knowledge of the Economy -
“I’m very well versed in economics. I was there at the Reagan Revolution. I was there just after we enacted the first tax cuts and the restraints on spending. I was chairman of the Commerce Committee in the Senate, which addresses virtually every major economic issue that affects the US. That’s why I have a strong team around me that respect my views and my vision. And that’s why The Wall Street Journal, in a survey of economists recently, that the majority of economists thought that I could handle the nation’s economy best [best of the republicans running at the time] . And I have been a consistent fighter to restrain spending and to cut taxes. I would match my credentials, my experience, and my knowledge of economic issues against anybody who’s running.” (Source: 2008 GOP debate in Boca Raton Florida Jan 24, 2008)

Q: What’s the fastest solution to bail people out of economic ruin?
A: “We obviously have to stop this spending spree that’s going on in Washington. [I agree.] Do you know that we’ve laid a $10 trillion debt on young Americans, $500 billion of it we owe to China? [Yikes!] We’ve got to have a package of reforms and it has got to lead to reform prosperity and peace in the world. [What kind of package, exactly?] And I think that this problem has become so severe, that we’re going to have to do something about home values.” [What, exactly?]

Q: What’s your plan to save people from financial ruin?
A: “Energy independence. [So, you DO have a plan. Cool.] We’ve got to stop sending $700 billion a year to countries that don’t like us. [Amen!] We have to keep Americans’ taxes low. All Americans’ taxes low. [How, exactly?]

Q: Which parts of the $700B bailout will help people?
A: “This rescue package means we will stabilize markets, we will shore up these institutions. [How exactly?] But it’s not enough. That’s why we’re going to have to go out into the housing market and buy up these bad loans and we’re going to have to stabilize home values, and that way, Americans can realize the American dream and stay in their home. [So you DO have a plan. Cool.] (Source: 2008 second presidential debate against Barack Obama Oct 7, 2008)

[The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has found that both Obama and McCain are proposing combinations of tax and spending policies that would increase the federal deficit. It found that in 2013, Obama’s proposals would produce a net deficit increase of 286 billion dollars, while McCain’s major policies would produce a net deficit increase of 211 billion dollars.] [Wanna save 75 billion dollars? Vote for McCain.]

FOREIGN POLICY

Israel Supports Mr. McCain

Palestine Supports Mr. Obama, Hamas Supports Mr. Obama, Al Quida Supports Mr. Obama

A Nuclear Iran is an existential threat to Israel -

Q: How big a threat is Iran to the US?
A: “If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, it is an existential threat to the State of Israel and to other countries in the region. We cannot have a second Holocaust. Let’s just make that very clear. I have proposed a League of Democracies, a group of countries that share common interests, common values, common ideals, they also control a lot of the world’s economic power. We could impose significant meaningful, painful sanctions on the Iranians that I think could have a beneficial effect.
The Iranians have a lousy government, so therefore their economy is lousy, even though they have significant oil revenues. So I am convinced that together with the French, with the British, with the Germans and other countries, we can affect Iranian behavior.
But have no doubt, but have no doubt that the Iranians continue on the path to the acquisition of a nuclear weapon as we speak tonight. And it is a threat not only in this region but around the world.” (Source: 2008 first presidential debate, Obama vs. McCain Sep 26, 2008)

Preconditions required for talks with rogue states-

“Sen. Obama said he would sit down with Ahmadinejad, Chavez, and Raul Castro without precondition. Here is Ahmadinejad, who is now talking about the extermination of the State of Israel, and we’re going to sit down, without precondition, to give a propaganda platform, and therefore then giving them more credence in the world arena and therefore saying–because you will sit down across the table from them–that will legitimize their illegal behavior. Throughout history, whether it be Ronald Reagan, who wouldn’t sit down with [the USSR] until Gorbachev was ready with glasnost and perestroika, or whether it be Nixon’s trip to China, which was preceded by Henry Kissinger, many times before he went. I’ll sit down with anybody, but there’s got to be pre-conditions.” (Source: 2008 first presidential debate, Obama vs. McCain Sep 26, 2008)

I’m prepared for the dangerous threats in this world -

“We have dealt a serious blow to al Qaeda in recent years, but they’re not defeated, and they’ll strike us again if they can. Iran remains the chief state sponsor of terrorism, and is on the path to acquiring nuclear weapons. Russia’s leaders, rich with oil wealth and corrupt with power, have rejected democratic ideals and the obligations of a responsible power. They invaded a small, democratic neighbor to gain more control over the world’s oil supply, intimidate other neighbors, and further their ambitions of reassembling the Russian empire. And the brave people of Georgia need our solidarity and our prayers.

As president, I’ll work to establish good relations with Russia so that we need not fear a return of the Cold War. But we can’t turn a blind eye to aggression and international lawlessness that threatens the peace and stability of the world and the security of the American people. We face many dangerous threats in this dangerous world, but I’m not afraid of them. I’m prepared for them.” (Source: Speech at 2008 Republican National Convention Sep 4, 2008)

GAY RIGHTS - Neutral

Rated 33% by the HRC, indicating a mixed record on gay rights.
 Voted NO to Federal ban on same-sex marriage. Would leave the issue of gay marriage for the states to decide.
Supports CA Prop. 8: one-man-one-woman marriage
Voted YES on abolishing job discrimination by sexual orientation.

TEACHER-LED PRAYER IN SCHOOLS – Favors

Rated 83% by the Christian Coalition, indicating a pro-family voting record.
YES on requiring schools to allow voluntary prayer.
YES on declaring memorial prayers and religious symbols OK at schools.

Ten Commandments would bring virtue to our schools -
Q: Does posting the Ten Commandments in schools invalidate the religious expression of children who are not in the Judeo-Christian heritage?
A: “We begin our proceedings every day in the US Senate with a prayer. Now, it doesn’t have the beneficial effect that some desire, but it seems to be acceptable for the Senate to do that. Virtues like telling the truth are exemplified in the Ten Commandments. They could be and should be taught in every school in America.”
(Source: GOP Debate in Johnston, Iowa Jan 16, 2000)

Death Penalty - Strongly Favors

Pro-death penalty
For building more prisons
For stiffer prison sentences
YES on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals
YES on limiting death penalty appeals

MANDATORY THREE STRIKES SENTENCING LAWS - Strongly Favors

Strongly Favors means you believe: ‘Three Strikes’ laws put dangerous repeat offenders behind bars, for life. Mandatory sentencing and strict enforcement make sure judges don’t let off criminals too easily.
Rated 29% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes
YES on mandatory prison terms for crimes involving firearms
YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations

ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO GUN OWNERSHIP - Strongly Favors [My kinda man!]

Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership
For punishing criminals who abuse 2nd Amendment rights
For banning cheap guns
For requiring safety locks
For gun show checks
For repealing existing gun restrictions
YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence
YES on allowing firearms in National Parks
YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks
Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types

“The right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law-abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals–criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway.” (Source: Campaign website, www.johnmccain.com, “Issues” Sep 1, 2007)

MORE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE – Opposes

Mr. McCain’s position is to give a $5,000 credit to buy your own policy.

Rated 25% by APHA, indicating an anti-public health voting record
$350 billion for prescriptions for poor seniors
YES on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit
YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics
YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug
Matching funds for seniors citizens’ prescription drugs
NO on including prescription drugs under Medicare
Expand health insurance to 11 million uninsured children
Harness market competition for comprehensive reform
Include a health savings account in healthcare reform
Allow paying extra for choice of doctors & care
More tax-deductible health costs
Tax credits for those without employee health insurance
YES on limiting self-employment health deduction
NO on blocking medical savings accounts

1993: “To socialize healthcare would be to ruin it.”

During the fall of 1993, a controversy erupted on Capitol Hill concerning the universal health care plan being advanced by the Clinton Administration under the direction of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. McCain was opposed to the Clinton plan, although, in a break with many members of his party, he did believe all Americans should have access to the health care system.
“But the Clinton plan would destroy America’s health care system as it had come to be known—the best in the world. McCain was also worried about the Clinton plan’s distribution of money. All Americans deserve the opportunity to obtain health care coverage of their choice. I hope that we will never see the day in which the government tells us which health care plan we may enroll in or who will provide the care. To socialize our health care system, as the Clinton reform plan would, will be to ruin it.”

PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY - Strongly Favors

Mr. McCain’s position is to give individuals an OPTION to privately invest some of their Social Security money. If you choose not to, your Social Security will not change. You will decide. You will make your own choice.

Rated 40% by the ARA, indicating a mixed record on senior issues
YES on personal savings accounts
Option to invest 20% of payroll taxes in private accounts
Allow workers to invest privately
Supports work incentives
YES on deducting Social Security payments on income taxes
YES on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees
YES on allowing personal retirement accounts
YES on using the Social Security Surplus to fund tax reductions

Control Medicare Growth: The growth of spending on Medicare threatens our fiscal future. John McCain has proposed comprehensive health care reforms that will reduce the growth in Medicare spending, protect seniors against rising Medicare premium payments, and preserve the advancements in medical science central to providing quality care. (Source: Campaign plan: “Bold Solutions for Economic Prosperity” Feb 3, 2008)

Future retirees cannot get what current ones get -
“I think it’s very important that we reform our entitlement programs. We are not going to be able to provide the same benefit for present-day workers that present-day retirees have today. We’re going to have to sit down across the table, Republican and Democrat, as we did in 1983 between Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill.
I know how to do that. I have a clear record of reaching across the aisle, whether it be Joe Lieberman or Russ Feingold or Ted Kennedy or others. That’s my clear record.” (Source: 2008, second presidential debate against Barack Obama Oct 7, 2008)

PARENTS CHOOSE SCHOOLS VIA VOUCHERS – Strongly Favors
Rated 45% by the NEA, indicating a mixed record on public education
Vouchers & charters will improve our school system
Wants more choices and competition in education
Charters, homeschooling, & vouchers are key to success
For $5B program for 3-year test of school vouchers
NO on $5B for grants to local educational agencies

Supports Ed-Flex: more flexibility if more accountable

YES on education savings accounts

NO on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors
NO on funding student testing instead of private tutors

“Education is the civil rights issue of this century. Equal access to public education has been gained. But what is the value of access to a failing school? We need to shake up failed school bureaucracies with competition, empower parents with choice. Let’s remove barriers to qualified instructors, attract and reward good teachers, and help bad teachers find another line of work. When a public school fails to meet its obligations to students, parents deserve a choice in the education of their children, and I intend to give it to them. Some may choose a better public school. Some may choose a private one. Many will choose a charter school. But they will have the choice and their children will have that opportunity. Obama wants our schools to answer to unions and entrenched bureaucrats. I want schools to answer to parents and students. And when I’m president, they will.” (Source: Speech at 2008 Republican National Convention Sep 4, 2008)

REPLACE COAL AND OIL WITH ALTERNATIVES- Favors

Rated 53% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment
Sponsored bill for greenhouse gas tradable allowances
Build 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030
Supports alternative fuels, emission controls
CWA Climate change is real and must be addressed
Supports Clean Air & Water Acts; but not Kyoto
Make EPA into a Cabinet department
NO on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests
YES on defunding renewable and solar energy
YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010
NO on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%)
YES on disallowing an oil-leasing program in Alaska’s ANWR
YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill

McCain sponsored suspending the highway fuel tax for the summer -
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels between May 26, 2008, and September 1, 2008. Provides for reimbursement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from such suspension. (Source: S.2890&S.2971 2008-S2890 on Apr 17, 2008)
 (Reference: Bill S.517 ; vote number 2002-71 on Apr 18, 2002)

Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
Would allow gas and oil development in a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge if that production in the area is in the nation’s security and economic interests.
 [FYI: The area in ANWR we want to drill is 2,000 acres within 100 million acres. It is TUNDRA! (Definition: Tundra- a level or rolling treeless plain that is characteristic of arctic and subarctic regions, consists of black mucky soil with a permanently frozen subsoil, and has a dominant vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs.) There’s nothing there … but oil. It’s critical we end our dependence on foreign oil, people!]

ENFORCING DRUG LAWS – Strongly Favors

$1B for detection equipment for more border interdiction
Stricter penalties; stricter enforcement
Sponsored bill for grants to Indian tribes to fight meth
YES on spending international development funds on drug control
YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations

Of the four major candidates [Republicans], McCain has expressed the most hawkish positions on drug policy. He wants to increase penalties for selling drugs, supports the death penalty for drug kingpins, favors tightening security to stop the flow of drugs into the country, and wants to restrict availability of methadone for heroin addicts. He would push for more money and military assistance to drug-supplying nations such as Colombia. (Source: Boston Globe, p. A21 Mar 5, 2000)

[Mr. Obama wants to give Columbia [no, not the university, the country] the shaft by opposing our free trade agreement. Just thought I’d let ya know.]

ALLOW CHURCHES TO PROVIDE WELFARE SERVICES – Strongly Favors
Anti-poverty shared by gov’t & faith-based orgs

YES on welfare-to-work

YES on welfare overhaul
 
YES on allowing state welfare waivers

YES on welfare block-grants
Anti-poverty shared by gov’t & faith-based orgs
McCain indicates his support for direct federal poverty aid through religious, community-based or other non-profit organizations. [“Welfare and anti-poverty assistance is a shared responsibility among federal, state and local government; the private sector; community and faith-based organizations. Welfare policy must provide a strong safety net, while promoting work, responsibility, self sufficiency, and dignity.”] (Source: Vote-Smart.org 2000 NPAT Jan 13, 2000)

 [MAKE TAXES MORE “PROGRESSIVE”] – Opposes

Mr. McCain’s position is not to raise anyone’s taxes with the state of our present economy.

He proposes a spending freeze across the board. 

Rated 72% by NTU, indicating “Satisfactory” on tax votes.
Supports College Tuition Benefits for middle-class families who send their kids to college.
Supports Small-savers’ Credit for low-income individuals who save through an IRA or pension plan.
Voted YES on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M.
Voted YES on permanently repealing the `death tax`.
Voted YES on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts.
Voted YES on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax.
Voted YES on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends.
Voted YES on eliminating the ‘marriage penalty’.
Voted YES on requiring super-majority for raising taxes.
Voted NO on increasing tax deductions for college tuition.

SHOCKER! Voted against Bush tax cuts for not reining in spending
Q: You opposed President Bush’s 2001 tax cuts. Now you say you were wrong. How can you convince Republican voters you will push a Democratic Congress hard enough to make those tax cuts permanent?
A: [“I didn’t say that I was wrong. I said that the reason why I opposed those tax cuts was because we didn’t rein in spending. And the fact is the tax cuts have dramatically increased revenues. If we don’t make them permanent, then every business, farm and family in America will have to adjust their budgets to what is in effect a tax increase. In 2001, I proposed massive tax cuts, but I also proposed to rein in spending. Spending is out of control. We didn’t lose the 2006 election because of the war in Iraq; we lost it because we in the Republican Party came to Washington to change government and government changed us. We let spending go out of control. We spent money like a drunken sailor, although I never knew a sailor drunk or sober with the imagination of my colleagues.”] (Source: 2007 Republican Debate in South Carolina May 15, 2007)

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS - Favors

Voted YES on declaring English the official language of the U.S. [Ah, Mr. Obama voted NO?]
YES on deporting 2 million illegal immigrants who’ve committed crimes.
Immigration reform needed for national security
Sponsored comprehensive immigration reform, without amnesty

Voted YES to establish a guest worker program with a path to citizenship for illegal aliens who have worked in the US for 5 years.

YES on building a fence along the Mexican border

Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. [Hello? Is their anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone home?—Sorry, couldn’t resist throwin’ in some Pink Floyd. This position is beyond my understanding.]
Q: If the Senate passed your bill, S1433, the McCain-Kennedy Immigration Bill, would you as president sign it?
A: [“Yeah, but it isn’t going to come. The lesson is they want the border secured first. I come from a border state. I know how to fix the borders with walls, with UAVs, with sensors, with cameras, with vehicle barriers.
As president, I will have the border state governors certify those borders are secured. And then we will have a temporary worker program with tamper-proof biometric documents, and any employer who employs someone in any other circumstances will be prosecuted.
That means a lot of people will leave because they’re not going to be able to get a job. Then we have to get rid of two million people who have committed crimes here. We have to round them up and deport them.”] (Source: Meet the Press: 2008 “Meet the Candidates” series Jan 27, 2008)

[Stopped formatting here. Ran outta time.] 

[SUPPORT and EXPAND FREE TRADE] – Strongly Agrees

Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record.
Pro-NAFTA, pro-GATT, pro-MFN, pro-Fast Track
McCain supports the following statements regarding free trade:
• Supports NAFTA, including broadening NAFTA to include other countries in the western hemisphere.
• Supports GATT and the WTO.
• Opposes imposing tariffs on products imported from nations that maintain restrictive trade barriers on American products.
• A nation’s human rights record should not affect its “most favored nation” trading status with the US.
• Supports granting the President “fast-track” authority.
Voted YES on free trade agreement with Oman.
Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free trade.
Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore.
Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile.
Voted YES on extending free trade to Andean nations.
Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam.
Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world.
Opposes subsidies
Opposes foreign sales corporations (offshore tax breaks)
For free trade with any country except security risks
China: Keep open trade & diplomacy; but keep eyes open [BOTH EYES!]

Every time US went protectionist, we paid a heavy price
[“I’m a student of history. Every time the United States has become protectionist and listened to the siren song that you’re hearing partially on this stage tonight, we’ve paid a very heavy price. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Acts in the 1930s were direct contributors to World War II. It sounds like a lot of fun to bash China and others, but free trade has been the engine of our economy. Free trade should be the continuing principle that guides this nation’s economy.”] (Source: 2007 Republican debate in Dearborn, Michigan Oct 9, 2007)

On NAFTA -
McCAIN: [“Sen. Obama said he would unilaterally renegotiate NAFTA. I am a free trader. Let me give you another example of a free trade agreement that Sen. Obama opposes. Right now, goods and products that we send to Colombia, which is our largest agricultural importer of our products, because of previous agreements, their goods and products come into our country for free. So Sen. Obama opposes the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. The same country that’s helping us try to stop the flow of drugs into our country that’s killing young Americans. Free trade with Colombia is something that’s a no-brainer. But maybe you ought to travel down there and visit them and maybe you could understand it a lot better.”] (Source: 2008 third presidential debate against Barack Obama Oct 15, 2008)

[EXPANDING THE ARMED FORCES] - Favors

Rated 0% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record.
Voted YES on military pay raise of 4.8%.
Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act.
Supports cleaning up waste in defense acquisitions
Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of the defense budget.
Ran the largest squadron in the US Navy  [Yeah, but Obama was a community organizer! Sorry.]

Q: What have you ever run in your career?
A: I’ve run the largest squadron in the US Navy, and I didn’t run it, I led it. [Makes my heart flutter. Sigh.] It was tens of millions of dollars of assets, training brave young Americans to go fight and defend the country. I’ll defend my leadership of 1,000-men and -women organization with the management of anything that anybody else has done.” (Source: FOX News Sunday, 2007 presidential interviews Oct 21, 2007)

Experience has taught me: the US military must not fail
Q: What do you see as the lessons of Iraq?
A: [“I have a record of being involved in national security issues which involve the toughest decisions that any president can make, and that is to send our young men and women into harm’s way.
I had a town hall meeting and a woman stood up and she said, “Senator McCain, I want you to do me the honor of wearing a bracelet with my son’s name on it.” He was 22 years old and he was killed in combat outside of Baghdad. Then she said, “Senator McCain, promise me one thing, that you’ll do everything in your power to make sure that my son’s death was not in vain.” That means that that mission succeeds.
A war that I was in, where we had an Army, that it wasn’t through any fault of their own, but they were defeated. And I know how hard it is for a military to recover from that. And it did and we will win this one and we won’t come home in defeat and dishonor. [YEAH!]
Source: 2008 first presidential debate, Obama vs. McCain Sep 26, 2008

[STRICTER LIMITS ON POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FUNDS] - Strongly Favors

YES on the1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance
Sponsored bill subjecting 527s to political committee rules
YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations
YES on banning “soft money” contributions and restricting issue ads
YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity
Supports Shays-Meehan Campaign Finance Reform

In November of 2007, Senator McCain and Senator Obama promised to take part in the federal campaign finance system. The federal campaign finance system gives each presidential nominee a dollar for every dollar they raise. There’s a catch. The system limits the amount the candidates can spend after their party convention, to 84 million dollars.
Mr. McCain kept his promise, to his detriment. Mr. Obama did not keep his promise, and opted out.

Senator McCain’s campaign does not accept untraceable prepaid credit cards for
campaign contributions. Senator Obama’s campaign does.

[U.S OUT of IRAQ] – Strongly Opposes

General P. says we need to stay.

Costs will be far greater should we fail in Iraq
Timetable for withdrawal is a white flag of surrender
Supports the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war
Russia: Sanctions until Putin exits Chechnya
IMF’s Russia policies bad, but agency is OK
Staying for 100 years OK, if US casualties are low
The Iraq war was worth the price in blood and treasure
Supported the surge even when some party-members did not
[BTW: The surge worked.]
Willing to be last man standing for US involvement in Iraq
Send in a heavy wave of troops to Iraq to establish order
Support the completion of the US mission in Iraq
NO on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months

Timetable for withdrawal is a white flag of surrender -
Q: When Sen. Clinton suggested timetables, you said she was waving the white flag of surrender.
A: [“What Sen. Clinton said was that we would set a timetable, within 60 days, of complete withdrawal from Iraq. To me, that’s surrender.”] (Source: Meet the Press: 2008 “Meet the Candidates” series Jan 27, 2008)

[RIGHTS – 1st AMENDMENT]

McCain co-sponsored a Constitutional Amendment: The Senate voted on a resolution that would recommend a Constitutional Amendment banning flag desecration (not a vote on the Amendment itself). The resolution states:
1. The flag of the US is a unique symbol of national unity…
2. The Bill of Rights should not be amended in a manner that could be interpreted to restrict freedom…
3. Abuse of the flag causes more than pain and distress… and may amount to fighting words…
4. Destruction of the flag of the US can be intended to incite a violent response rather than make a political statement and such conduct is outside the protections afforded by the first amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. McCain voted YES on recommending a Constitutional ban on flag desecration. [Ah, Mr. Obama voted NO?]

Where John McCain Fits on the scale: Based on the positions listed above, Mr. McCain is rated: [Populist-Leaning Conservative], meaning:
• Mr. McCain believes it’s bad for society when the government redistributes wealth. He believes it is not government’s purpose is to decide which programs are good for society, and how much should be spent on each program.
• Mr. McCain believes in personal responsibility for financial matters, and that free-market competition is better for people than central planning by the government.
• Mr. McCain believes that standards of morality & safety should be enforced by government. 
• Mr. McCain does not believe in tolerance for different people and lifestyles.

Mr. Obama’s Positions: [All quotes are Mr. Obama’s unless otherwise stated.]

[PRINCIPLES]

Ordinary people found the courage to keep the promise alive -
[“Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story–of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren’t well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to. It is that promise that has always set this country apart–that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well. That’s why I stand here tonight. Because for two hundred and thirty two years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women–students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors — found the courage to keep it alive. We meet at one of those defining moments–a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more.”]

Fulfilling America’s promise means individual participation -
[“We must also admit that fulfilling America’s promise will require more than just money. It will require a renewed sense of responsibility from each of us to recover what John F. Kennedy called our “intellectual and moral strength.” Yes, government must lead on energy independence, but each of us must do our part to make our homes and businesses more efficient. Yes, we must provide more ladders to success for young men who fall into lives of crime and despair. But we must also admit that programs alone can’t replace parents; that government can’t turn off the television and make a child do her homework; that fathers must take more responsibility for providing the love and guidance their children need. Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility — that’s the essence of America’s promise.”]

Don’t know if life beyond Earth; focus on life here on Earth -
[“I don’t know if there is life beyond Earth. I don’t presume to know. What I know is there is life here on Earth, and we’re not attending to life here on Earth. We’re not taking care of kids who are alive and not getting health care. We’re not taking care of senior citizens who are alive and are seeing their heating prices go up. As president, those are the people I will be attending to first.” (Source: 2007 Democratic debate at Drexel University Oct 30, 2007)

[ABORTION] - Strongly Favors

Rated 100% by NARAL on pro-choice votes in 2005, 2006, & 2007.
Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance.

Voted NO on SB 230 - Banning partial birth abortions
Definition: [‘Partial-Birth Abortion’] refers to a late-term abortion method which induces a breech delivery, then [collapsing the fetal skull] before completing delivery. [Sounds like “death-by-blunt-force-trauma-to-the-head” to me.] This procedure is banned in 24 states.

Voted NO three times on the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.  This acts provides procedures to save the lives of infants born alive from botched abortions. Mr Obama stated he voted against because he didn’t want the mother to feel badly or “pressured” to keep her child.

Voted YES on state funding for abortions.
Voted YES on minors crossing state lines for abortion.
Voted YES to ban notification to parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.
Extends “presumption of good faith” to abortion protesters.
Supports Roe v. Wade

[AFFIRMATIVE ACTION] - Strongly Favors

Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance.

Racial equality good for America as a whole
Will keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day’s work
Fight job discrimination to give women equal footing at jobs
Will include class-based affirmative action with race-based

Q: Is race still the most intractable issue in America?
A: [“Those who worked on civil rights in the past realized that to achieve racial equality was not simply good for African-Americans, but it was good for America as a whole; that we could not be what we might be as a nation unless we healed the brutal wounds of slavery and Jim Crow.
Now, we have made enormous progress, but the progress we have made is not good enough. As many have already mentioned, we live in a society that remains separated in terms of life opportunities for African-Americans, for Latinos, and the rest of the nation. And it is absolutely critical for us to recognize that there are going to be responsibilities on the part of African-Americans and other groups to take personal responsibility to rise up out of the problems that we face.
But there has also got to be [a social responsibility], there has to be [a sense of mutual responsibility], and there’s got to be political will in the White House to make that happen.”] [Ah, Marxism.] (Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University Jun 28, 2007)

Definition: [Marxism:] the political, economic, and social principles and policies advocated by Marx; especially : a theory and practice of socialism including the labor theory of value, dialectical materialism, the class struggle, and dictatorship of the proletariat until the establishment of a classless society [No rich; no poor. Everyone works together for the greater good, for equality, balance, and fairness]—[“From each according to his abilities; to each according to his needs”] Karl Marx

[BUDGET and ECONOMY]

Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending.
Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs’ effectiveness. [Amendment intends to pay down the Federal debt and eliminate government waste by reducing spending on programs rated ineffective by the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART).]

Q: What’s the fastest solution to bail people out of economic ruin?
A: [“It’s not enough just to help those at the top. Prosperity is not just going to trickle down. We’ve got to help the middle class. [How, exactly?] Part of the problem is that for many of you, wages and incomes have flat-lined. For many of you, it is getting harder and harder to save, harder and harder to retire. Sen. McCain is right that we’ve got to stabilize housing prices. But underlying that is loss of jobs and loss of income. [How will you fix that, exactly?] That’s something that the next treasury secretary is going to have to work on.”] [Oh, okay. So who’s gonna be the next Secretary of the Treasury? I’ll ask her….]

Q: What’s your plan to save people from financial ruin?
A: [“This is a verdict on the failed policies of the last eight years that said that we should strip away consumer protections, let the market run wild, and prosperity would rain down. Step one is a rescue package that means making sure taxpayers get their money back. [How, exactly?] The middle-class needs a rescue package. [What, exactly?] That means tax cuts for the middle-class. [Where do they come from, exactly?] It means help for homeowners. [Help them how, exactly?] It means we are helping state governments set up projects that keep people in their jobs. [So. you’re saying the federal government will interfere with the rights of the states?] We’ve got to fix our health care system, [How, exactly?] we’ve got to fix our energy system. [How, exactly?] You’ve got to have somebody in Washington who is thinking about the middle class and not just those who can afford to hire lobbyists. [Ah, your campaign raised more money than any other two candidates’ combined.]

Q: Which parts of the $700B bailout will help people?

A: [“Let me tell you what’s in the rescue package for you. [Great, now you’ll tell us!] Right now, the credit markets are frozen up and what that means is that small businesses can’t get loans. If they can’t get a loan, that means that they can’t make payroll. If they can’t make payroll, then they may end up having to shut their doors and lay people off. And if you imagine just one company trying to deal with that, now imagine a million companies all across the country. So it could end up having an adverse effect on everybody, and that’s why we had to take action. [Ah, what action, exactly?] But we shouldn’t have been there in the first place. [You never answered the question, sir.] (Source: 2008 second presidential debate against Barack Obama Oct 7, 2008)

[Sorry, guys, but none of his answers answer the question: HOW?]

[The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has found that both Obama and McCain are proposing combinations of tax and spending policies that would increase the federal deficit. It found that in 2013, Obama’s proposals would produce a net deficit increase of 286 billion dollars, while McCain’s major policies would produce a net deficit increase of 211 billion dollars.] [Wanna save 75 billion dollars? Vote for McCain.]

[FORIEGN POLICY]

Palestine Supports Mr. Obama, Hamas Supports Mr. Obama, Al Quieda Supports Mr. Obama

Israel Supports Mr. McCain

Will meet with Cuban leaders - only with agenda of US interests. [Yeah. Cuba really cares about our interests. Sorry.]
Will loosen restrictions on Cuba now; go for normalization later. [When, exactly? Is that kinda like depositing 100 million dollars of possibly illegal Internet campaign donations, and checking them out later … say, after the election? Sorry.]
Ok to postpone Pakistani elections, but not indefinitely. [When, exactly?]

No preconditions required for talks with rogue states -
[“We are going to have to engage in tough direct diplomacy with Iran and this is a major difference I have with Sen. McCain, this notion by not talking to people we are punishing them has not worked.”]

[GAY RIGHTS] - Favors

Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance.
Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.
Gays should not face discrimination, but should not marry
Decisions about marriage should be left to the states

Opposes gay marriage; supports civil union & gay equality
[”I don’t think homosexuals are immoral any more than I think heterosexuals are immoral.”]

[TEACHER-LED PRAYER IN SCHOOLS] - Opposes

Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation

Religious concerns ok, if translated into “universal” values -
[“Progressives might recognize the values that both religious & secular people share when it comes to the moral & material direction of our country. We might recognize that the call to [sacrifice on behalf of the next generation], the need to [think in terms of “thou” and not just “I”], resonates in religious congregations across the country.
Secularists are wrong when they ask believers to leave their religion at the door before entering the public square. To say that men and women should not inject their personal morality into public policy debates is a practical absurdity; our law is by definition a codification of morality, much of it grounded in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
What our [pluralistic democracy] does demand is that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into [universa]l, rather than religion-specific, values. Those opposed to abortion cannot simply invoke God’s will–they have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths.”] (Source: The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, p.216-219 Oct 1, 2006)

Listening to evangelicals bridges major political fault line –

[“Today, white evangelical Christians are the heart and soul of the Republican Party’s grassroots base. It is their issues-abortion, gay marriage, prayer in schools, intelligent design, Terri Schiavo, the posting of the Ten Commandments in the courthouse, home schooling, voucher plans, and the makeup of the Supreme Court-that often dominate the headlines and serve as one of the major fault lines in American politics. The single biggest gap in party affiliation is between those who attend church regularly and those who don’t. Democrats, meanwhile, are scrambling to “get religion,” even as a core 
  segment of our constituency remains stubbornly secular, and fears that the agenda of   an assertively Christian nation may not make room for them or their life choices.”]

[DEATH PENALTY] - Opposes 

Missed a “soft on crime” stance from the NCJA by one point.
Battles legislatively against the death penalty
Supports alternative sentencing and rehabilitation
Death penalty should not discriminate by gang membership

[MANDATORY THREE STRIKES SENTENCING LAWS] - Opposes

Restrict police entry rules to protect our civil liberties
Obama co-sponsored increasing funding for “COPS ON THE BEAT” program
Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance.
Obama voted against a proposal to criminalize contact with a gang for any convicts on probation or out on bail. In 2001, Obama opposed making gang activity eligible for the death penalty.

[”There’s a strong overlap between gang affiliation and young men of color…. I think it’s problematic for them to be singled out as more likely to receive the death penalty for carrying out certain acts than are others who do the same thing.”]
In 1999, Mr. Obama opposed mandatory adult prosecution for youth who discharged a firearm near a school.

[”There is really no proof or indication that automatic transfers and increased penalties and adult penalties for juvenile offenses have, in fact, proven to be more effective in reducing juvenile crime or cutting back on recidivism.”]

[ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO GUN OWNERSHIP] - Opposes [Say it ain’t so, O!]

Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok
Ban semi-automatics
More possession restrictions
YES on lawsuits against gun manufacturers

Statement:

[“I’ve never said I wanted to ban all handguns.”]
[FactCheck:]
A Chicago nonprofit, Independent Voters of Illinois, had this question:
Q: Do you support state legislation to ban the manufacture, sale, and possession of handguns?
A: [“Yes.”] (Source: FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 Philadelphia primary debate Apr 16, 2008)

[MORE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE] - Strongly Favors

Mr. Obama would like universal healthcare run by the federal government, similar to the system in Canada.

National Health Insurance Exchange for private coverage
National insurance pool & catastrophic insurance
NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium
YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics
YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug
YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D
YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D

The market alone can’t solve our health-care woes -

[“Employers are going to have to pay or play. I think that employers either have to provide health care coverage for their employees, or they’ve got to make a decision that they’re going to help pay for those who don’t have coverage outside the employer system.”] [Ah, Socialism.] (Source: SEIU Democratic Health Care Forum in Las Vegas Mar 24, 2007)

Definition: [Socialism:] any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. [Taking from one group of people and giving to another as a means of spreading wealth in the spirit of fairness.]

[PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY] - Strongly Opposes

Stop any efforts to privatize Social Security
Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security.
No privatization; but consider earning cap over $97,500

[PARENTS CHOOSE SCHOOLS VIA VOUCHERS] - Neutral

Guarantee affordable life-long, top-notch education
Vouchers don’t solve the problems of our schools
Supports charter schools; it’s important to experiment
Supports private investment in schools
YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies

“I try to avoid an either/or approach to solving the problems of this country. There are questions of individual responsibility and questions of societal responsibility to be dealt with. The best example is an education. I’m going to insist that we’ve got decent funding, enough teachers, and computers in the classroom, but unless you turn off the television set and get over a certain anti-intellectualism that I think pervades some low-income communities, our children are not going to achieve. [We’ve thrown millions of dollars into the public school system. Is it any better? “Competition breeds greatness”…Me] (Source: Meet The Press, NBC News Jul 25, 2004)

[REPLACE COAL AND OIL WITH ALTERNATIVES] - Strongly Favors

Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025
Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards
YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%)
YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska’s ANWR
YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning
YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies

Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
Vote to adopt an amendment that would strike a provision in the concurrent resolution that recognizes revenue from oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The amendment says: “To ensure that legislation that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, other federal lands, and the Outer Continental Shelf to oil drilling receives full consideration and debate in the Senate under regular order, rather than being fast-tracked under reconciliation procedures; to ensure that receipts from such drilling destined for the federal treasury are fairly shared with local jurisdictions; and does not occur unless prohibitions against the export of Alaskan oil are enacted.”
[FYI: The area in ANWR we want to drill in is 2,000 acres within 100 million acres. It is TUNDRA! (Definition: Tundra- a level or rolling treeless plain that is characteristic of arctic and subarctic regions, consists of black mucky soil with a permanently frozen subsoil, and has a dominant vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs.) There’s nothing there … but oil. It’s critical we end our dependence on foreign oil, people!] (Reference: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge anti-drilling Amendment; Bill S AMDT 168 to S.Con.Res. 18 ; vote number 2005-52 on Mar 16, 2005)

[ENFORCING DRUG LAWS] - Opposes

Look at needle exchange and expand treatment
End harsher sentencing for crack vs. powder cocaine
Require chemical resellers to certify against meth use
Experimented with cocaine, but turned down heroin [Me too.]
Smokes cigarettes now; smoked some pot in high school [He’s got me there. I used to smoke cigarettes, but I have better judgment now. Sorry.]
Should deal with street-level drug dealing as a “minimum-wage affair.”

In 2001, Obama questioned the harsh penalties for drug dealing, noting that selling 15 tablets of Ecstasy was the same class of felony as raping a woman at knifepoint. [So, we need to RAISE the penalty for rapists, not reduce the penalty for drug dealers. Yes?](Source: The Improbable Quest, by John K. Wilson, p.146-147 Oct 30, 2007)

[ALLOW CHURCHES TO PROVIDE WELFARE SERVICES] - Favors

Cut poverty in half in 10 years, with faith-based help
Engages people of faith on all aspects of his public service
Reach out to faith community;faith has role in public square

“I was drawn to the power of the African American religious tradition to spur social change. Out of necessity, the black church had to minister to the whole person. Out of necessity, the black church rarely had the luxury of separating individual salvation from collective salvation. [Huh?] It had to serve as the center of the community’s political, economic, and social as well as spiritual life; it understood in an intimate way the biblical call to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and challenge powers and principalities.

I was able to see faith as more than just a comfort to the weary; rather, it was an active, palpable agent in the world. [Reverend Jeremiah Wright was Mr. Obama’s pastor for 20 years. I listened to an audio last night from one of Rev. Wright’s sermons: [“God bless America? God bless America? No. God damn America! God damn America!”[ – Sorry if that offends you; it offends me too. Question is, why didn’t it offend Mr. Obama?]
(Source: The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, p.206-7 Oct 1, 2006)

[MAKE TAXES MORE “PROGRESSIVE”] - Strongly Favors

Mr. Obama’s Plan:

If you make under 250k, you will not have your taxes raised. If you make under 200k, you will get a tax cut. [Since 40% of the people in this category don’t pay Federal Income Tax, but would still get a credit, it is an entitlement progam. [WELFARE.]

If you make more than 250k, your taxes will go up, and the revenue distributed to those who make less than you do, in the interest of fairness, because they need the money more than you do. [Ah, Socialiam.]

Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation
Tax cut for 95% of all working families [Neat trick, since 40% of them don’t pay taxes, which makes the giveaway welfare.]
Will raise CEO taxes
Tax cuts for the rich do not create jobs
NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M:
YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million
NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset
NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends
YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut:
NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends
NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`
NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts
NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million
NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax

Raise capital gains tax for fairness, not for revenue

Q: You favor an increase in the capital gains tax, saying, [”I certainly would not go above what existed under Bill Clinton, which was 28%.”] It’s now 15%. That’s almost a doubling if you went to 28%. Bill Clinton dropped the capital gains tax to 20%, then George Bush has taken it down to 15%. And in each instance, when the rate dropped, revenues from the tax increased. And in the 1980s, when the tax was increased to 28%, the revenues went down.
A: [“What I’ve said is that I would look at raising the capital gains tax [for purposes of fairness].” [Ah, Socialism.]
Q: But history shows that when you drop the capital gains tax, the revenues go up.
A: [“Well, that might happen or it might not.”] [What about “history shows…”]
(Source: 2008 Philadelphia primary debate, on eve of PA primary Apr 16, 2008)

[“Everywhere you go, you meet people who are working harder for less, wages and incomes have flatlined, people are seeing escalating costs of everything from health care to gas at the pump. In some communities, they have been struggling for decades now. This has to be a priority of the next president. We have to [restore a sense of fairness & balance] to our economy. [Ah, Socialism AND Marxism.]

Restore progressive tax; close loopholes; relief to seniors
[“There has to be a [restoration of balance] in our tax code. We are going to offset some of the payroll taxes that families who are making less than $50,000 a year get a larger break. I want to make sure that seniors making less than $50,000, that they get some relief in terms of the taxes on their Social Security. Those kinds of progressive tax steps, while closing loopholes and rolling back the Bush tax cuts to the top 1 percent, simply [restores some fairness and a sense that we’re all in this together.”] [Ah, Marxism.] (Source: 2007 Democratic debate at Drexel University Oct 30, 2007)

Reduce Bush tax cuts to pay for health care & other programs
Q: Do you agree that the rich aren’t paying their fair share of taxes?
A: [“There’s no doubt that the tax system has been skewed. And the Bush tax cuts–people didn’t need them, and they weren’t even asking for them, and that’s why they need to be less, so that we can pay for universal health care and other initiatives.
But I think this goes to a broader question, and that is, are we willing to make the investments in [genuine equal opportunity][Ah, Socialism.] in this country? People aren’t looking for charity. We talk about welfare and we talk about poverty, but [what people really want is fairness.] They want people paying their fair share of taxes. [They want that money allocated fairly.] [Ah, Socialism…] [Let’s look at the fairness of our present system: The bottom 40% pay no taxes - 0% (but would still get a tax refund under Mr. Obama’s plan), the bottom 50% pay 2.9%, the top 50% pay 97.1%, the top 10% pay 70% of the taxes. Of every country in the world, our most productive and inventive Americans pay the highest percentage of taxes. More than the Swedish, English, Canadians, Germans, French, etc. To me, Mr. Obama’s message seems to be: “Don’t succeed. If ya do, you’re gonna pay for it.”]
(Source: 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University Jun 28, 2007)

[ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS] - Strongly Favors

[I have to say I truly believe Mr. Obama had no idea his aunt has been living here illegally for four years. If he’d have known, he woulda tried to help her. Really.]

Give immigrants who are here a rigorous path to citizenship
[“We want to have a situation in which those who are already here, are playing by the rules, are willing to pay a fine and go through a rigorous process should have a pathway to legalization. Most Americans will support that if they have some sense that the border is also being secured. [How will you secure the border?] What they don’t want is a situation in which there is a pathway to legalization and you’ve got another several hundred thousand of folks coming in every year. That is a central position we should be able to arrive at.
(Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College Jun 3, 2007)

Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program.
Voting YES establishes a guest worker program with a path to citizenship for illegal aliens who have worked in the US for 5 years. (Reference: Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act; Bill S. 2611 ; vote number 2006-157 on May 25, 2006)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. [And again I say, are you guys nuts?]

Supports granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants
Q: In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, do you support driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants?
A: [“Yes. I am going to be fighting for comprehensive immigration reform, and we shouldn’t pose the question that, somehow, we can’t achieve that. The American people desperately want it; that’s what I’m going to be fighting for as president.”][I don’t desperately want it.] (Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada Nov 15, 2007)
Illegal immigrants’ lack of ID is a public safety concern
[“There is a public safety concern [with denying driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants]. We can make sure that drivers who are illegal come out of the shadows, that they can be tracked, that they are properly trained, and that will make our roads safer. That doesn’t negate the need for us to reform illegal immigration.”] (Source: 2007 Democratic debate at Drexel University Oct 30, 2007)

Don’t deputize Americans to turn in illegal immigrants.
Q: Would you expect Americans to turn in illegal immigrants when they come across them?
A: [“We do not deputize the American people to do the job that the federal government is supposed to do. So as president, I will make sure that the federal government does what it’s supposed to do, which is to do a better job of closing our borders, have much tougher enforcement standards when it comes to employers, and create a pathway of citizenship for the 12 million people who are already here.”] (Source: 2007 Democratic radio debate on NPR Dec 4, 2007)

Deporting 12 million people is ridiculous and impractical
[“The American people want fairness][I don’t like Mr. Obama’s interpretation of “fairness.”], want justice. They recognize that the idea that you’re going to deport 12 million people is ridiculous, that we’re not going to be devoting all our law enforcement resources to sending people back.

But what they do also want is some order to the process. [How does he know what we all want or feel. He’s not in our POV.] We’re not going to be able to do these things in isolation. We’re not going to be able to deal with the 12 million people who are living in the shadows and give them a way of getting out of the shadows if we don’t also deal with the problem of this constant influx of undocumented workers.

That’s why comprehensive reform is so important. Something that we can do immediately that is very important is to pass the Dream Act, which allows children who through no fault of their own are here but have essentially grown up as Americans, allow them the opportunity for higher education. [“I do not want two classes of citizens in this country. I want everybody to prosper.”] [Ah, Marxism.] That’s going to be a top priority. (Source: 2008 Democratic debate at University of Texas in Austin Feb 21, 2008)

[SUPPORT and EXPAND FREE TRADE] - Opposes

NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade
YES on free trade agreement with Oman
Fair trade should have tangible benefits for US
Amend NAFTA to add labor agreements

On Colombia Trade Deal -
Mr. Obama promised to stand firm in his opposition to the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.
Barack Obama’s campaign has come out in full force against free trade. In addition to saying he would unilaterally renegotiate NAFTA (much to the chagrin of Canada and Mexico), during the third presidential debate, Obama voiced opposition to the Colombian Free Trade Agreement under the guise of “human rights.”
Mr. Obama’s policy would snub the U.S.’s most staunch ally in the region.
For the United States, the economic and political costs of reneging on trade agreements and renegotiating existing agreements are colossal. To shortchange Colombia would be to give credence to the antagonists in Latin America who assert that America can’t be trusted, and would be a golden opportunity lost for increased investment and prosperity.

[EXPANDING THE ARMED FORCES] - Favors

Grow size of military to maintain rotation schedules
Give our soldiers the best equipment and training available
Sponsored bill for Iraq budget to be part of defense budget
Improve mental health care benefits for returning veterans
YES on limiting soldiers’ deployment to 12 months

[I listened to audio last night where Mr. Obama said we need a “Citizen’s Militia” that’s as strong as our Armed Forces. I’m not kidding, people. I heard him say it, and it’s on tape. Think about it. It’s scary.]

[STRICTER LIMITS ON POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FUNDS] - Strongly Favors

[I dispute the truth of his stated position and have included info from former postings that refutes it. You decide.]

Reduced cost of TV ads for candidates

Mr. Obama proposed an $85M presidential limit on general election spending [Ah, how much did those 30-minute infomercials cost, sir? Mr. Obama has outspent every candidate in history.]
So far, John McCain has been the only Republican to agree to Obama’s proposal to limit general election spending to $85 million. [Wow, what a shock.]

The federal campaign finance system gives each presidential nominee a dollar for every dollar they raise. There’s a catch. The system limits the amount the candidates can spend after their party convention to 84 million dollars.

In November of 2007, Mr. Obama promised to accept this financing to “work with Republicans to see both have the same opportunities within those limits.”

Mr. McCain kept his promise. Mr. Obama broke his promise because it was to his financial advantage.
Here’s a quote:
“A hypocrite is a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue—who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. And that, it seems to me, is what we have here.” The author of this statement is Barack Obama supporter, [John Kerry]. [Washington Post]
(To hear more, go to cnn.com and click on “Politics.” On the right-hand side, click on Commentary: Obama Breaks Promise)

Obama Accepting Untraceable Donations

Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign allows donors to use untraceable prepaid credit cards. Some use these cards to give more than the legal limit, and/or to hide their identities. [Campaign officials have confirmed this.]
Mr. Obama has received at least 100 million dollars through Internet sales. Mr. Obama has opted to hold off on basic security measures used to prevent these illegal acts, aides acknowledged. Instead, the campaign will scrutinize its books for improper donations after they’ve deposited the money.
Case in point: The Washington Post noted the case of Mary T. Biskup, a retired insurance manager from Manchester, Mo., who turned up on Obama’s FEC reports as having donated $174,800 to the campaign. Contributors are limited to giving $2,300 for the general election.
Biskup, who had scores of Obama contributions attributed to her, said in an interview that she never donated to the candidate. “That’s an error,” she said. Moreover, she added, her credit card was never billed for the donations, meaning someone appropriated her name and made the contributions with another card.

[U.S OUT of IRAQ] - Favors

Was WRONG about the surge.

YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008:

President sets Iraq mission; Generals then implement tactics
Q: Will you vote to confirm Gen. David Petraeus in his nomination to be the head of Central Command?
A: [“Yes. I think Petraeus has done a good tactical job in Iraq.”]
Q: If Gen Patraeus says your plan to get out of Iraq is a mistake, will you replace him?
A: [“I will listen to General Petraeus given the experience that he has accumulated over the last several years. But it would be my job as commander in chief to set the mission, to make the strategic decisions in light of the problems that we’re having in Afghanistan & Pakistan.”]
Q: So would you replace him or would you just say, “I’m the commander in chief, follow my order?”
A: [“What I will do is say, “We have a new mission. It is my strategic assessment that we have to provide a timetable to the Iraqi government. I want you to tell me how best to execute this new assignment, and I am happy to listen to the tactical considerations and any ideas you have, but what I will not do is to continue to let the Iraqi government off the hook.”] (Source: Fox News Sunday: 2008 presidential race interview Apr 27, 2008)

President sets Iraq mission; give generals a new mission
Q: You have said “we will be out of Iraq in 16 months at the most.” No matter what the military commanders say?
A: [“The commander in chief sets the mission. That’s not the role of the generals. The president’s approach lately has been to say, well, I’m just taking cues from General Petraeus. Well, the president sets the mission. The general and our troops carry out that mission. And unfortunately we have had a bad mission. Once I’ve given them a new mission, that we are going to proceed deliberatel in an orderly fashion out of Iraq, if they come to me and want to adjust tactics, then I will certainly take their recommendations into consideration. And I have to look at not just the situation in Iraq, but the fact that we continue to see al Qaeda getting stronger in Afghanistan and in Pakistan, we continue to see anti-American sentiment fanned all cross the Middle East, and we are overstretched in a way that we do not have a strategic reserve at this point.”]
(Source: 2008 Philadelphia primary debate, on eve of PA primary Apr 16, 2008)

$2 trillion and the loss of life in Iraq are not sustainable
[“I want to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in, but I want to make sure that we get all our combat troops out as quickly as we can safely. Now, the estimates are maybe that’s two brigades per month. At that pace it would be some time in 2009 that we had our combat troops out, depending on whether Bush follows through on his commitment to draw down from the surge. We don’t know that yet. We are spending $9 billion to $10 billion every month. That’s money that could be going in South Carolina to lay broadband lines in rural communities, to put kids back to school. [That blows my mind. How safe are the rural communities in South Carolina if terrorists attack them? We have to complete our job, or it was all for nothing.]
When McCain says we’ll be there for 50 or 60 or 100 years, it is not just the loss of life, which is obviously the most tragic aspect of it, it’s also the fact that financially it is unsustainable. We will have spent $2 trillion at least, it’s estimated, by the time this whole thing is over. That’s enough to have rebuilt every road, bridge, hospital, school in the US, and still have money left over.”][How much will another World Trade Center or Pentagon bombing cost our economy? Remember the airline industry?](Source: 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Democratic debate Jan 21, 2008)

Saddam has no connections to Al Qaeda nor to 9/11
Q: Is the Iraq War the right war at the right time?
OBAMA: There was no connection between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. This war has made us less safe. Osama bin Laden roams free in the hills of Afghanistan.”][And Sadam Huessin and his sons are dead, and no longer a threat.]

[RIGHTS]

YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act
 

1st AMENDMENT

The Senate voted on a resolution that would recommend a Constitutional Amendment banning flag desecration (not a vote on the Amendment itself). The resolution states: 
 The flag of the US is a unique symbol of national unity… 
 The Bill of Rights should not be amended in a manner that could be interpreted to restrict freedom… 
 Abuse of the flag causes more than pain and distress… and may amount to fighting words… 
 Destruction of the flag of the US can be intended to incite a violent response rather than make a political statement and  such conduct is outside the protections afforded by the first amendment to the Constitution.

Mr. Obama voted NO on recommending a Constitutional ban on flag desecration. 
[“I revere the American flag, and I don’t refuse to wear flag pins.”] -
FactCheck: Yes, refused to wear a flag pin, last year -
Obama did a bit of historical rewriting regarding his previous statements on wearing a U.S. flag pin in his lapel. Obama said, “I have never said that I don’t wear flag pins or refuse to wear flag pins.”
Actually, in Oct. 2007, he said, [”I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest. Instead, I’m gonna try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism.” In another interview, Obama said, “The truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security.”]
Conservative critics have attacked Obama repeatedly for these remarks and his lack of a flag pin. Recently, Obama accepted a lapel pin given to him a disabled Vietnam veteran. “It means a lot coming from you,” Obama said. (Source: FactCheck.org analysis of 2008 Philadelphia primary debate Apr 16, 2008)

Where Barack Obama Fits In on the scale: Based on the positions listed above, Mr. Obama is rated: [Hard-Core Liberal], meaning:
• Mr. Obama believes in tolerance for different people and lifestyles.
• Mr. Obama does not believe that standards of morality & safety should be enforced by government. 
• Mr. Obama believes that a good society is best achieved by the government redistributing wealth, that government’s purpose is to decide which programs are good for society, and how much should be spent on each program.
• Mr. Obama does not believe in personal responsibility for financial matters, and that free-market competition is better for people than central planning by the government. 

FactCheck: Ranked most liberal in Senate, based on 99 votes
Mr. Obama was asked about a recent ranking of senators by the National Journal that rated him the most liberal in 2007. He responded, [”An example of why I was rated the most liberal was because I wanted an office of public integrity that stood outside of the Senate.”]
Obama’s answer could mislead voters. Although we agree that rankings and labels sometimes don’t have much substance behind them, Obama cited just one of 99 Senate votes selected by National Journal’s reporters and editors for the study. The nonpartisan public policy magazine’s analysis was done according to a rigorous process the publication has been using since 1981. Most of the votes chosen had to do with the minimum wage, renewable energy, health insurance for children, immigration, embryonic stem cell research, and other issues on which it’s not too surprising to see a divide between liberals and conservatives. Clinton ranked 16th most liberal in the Senate (Source: FactCheck.org on 2008 Politico pre-Potomac Primary interview Feb 11, 2008)

[Thanks for your time and for voting your conscience, whatever it may tell you. If you’re voting for Senator McCain, I implore you to donate to the fund to put more commercials on the air. It’s not too late. Go to www.goptrust.com ]

Smiles,
Kelly

Boo-Yah to ya! 

You may not know, but I’m well versed in Politics, Foreign Policy, and Economics. [And y’all thought I was just another pretty face!] Yep, I’m not just a fun gal, I’m a bon-a-fied intellectual. Amazing, if ya consider I should’ve lost all my gray matter due to the large volume of drugs I did in the past. Gee, if I’m this smart now, what if I hadn’t fried my brain? I’d give Sarah Palin [my hero] a run for her money! [You bet I’d race her for a grand … sorry, can’t keep a sharp wit down.]

I pray my reports help in some way. I pray reading the material presented gives y’all a clear picture of your options. I pray this information is something you feel confident passing on.

This may sound harsh, but if you don’t know how the economy works, what we face in dealing with other nations, how our system of government runs, then how can you make an educated decision on whom to vote for?

If the media tells ya to set yourself on fire, would you do it? [Pyromaniacs and masochists need not answer.] So, if the Media tells ya the country will be better off with Mr. Obama as president, do you vote for him? I dare y’all to follow my blog and educate yourself. I’ve always been up-front with you, and I always will be. Even if I make enemies; even if my view isn’t the popular one. I ask for your trust, and I ask for an open mind. [For you—mine is already open.]. You have my thanks for “listening.”

Ain’t No Towels Getting’ Thrown In Here… - by Kelly Mortimer

Don’t let the biased media convince you McCain has already lost. The polls are often flawed, and the polls are close with a decent percentage of “undecided.” Since I often call myself a Maverick, and I’m definitely an Underdog who came out ahead, I have faith  the outcome of the election will have Senator McCain and Governor Palin [my hero] in the White House. [Please, God!]

In the words of Senator McCain:
“Stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We never give up. And we never quit. I have fought for you most of my life, and in places where defeat meant more than returning to the Senate. I’ve never been the kind to back down when the stakes are high.” [He reminds me of me. Sigh.]

On With the Alphabet:

[I’ve edited some of these articles to save space and give you the most vital information without overloading y’all.]

“F”

FAIRNESS DOCTRINE

U.S. Broadcasting Policy – The Museum of Broadcasting Communications [I leave no stone unturned.]
The policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission that became known as the “Fairness Doctrine” is an attempt to ensure that all coverage of controversial issues by a broadcast station be balanced and fair. The FCC took the view, in 1949, that station licensees were “public trustees,” and as such had an obligation to afford reasonable opportunity for discussion of contrasting points of view on controversial issues of public importance. The Commission later held that stations were also obligated to actively seek out issues of importance to their community and air programming that addressed those issues. With the deregulation sweep of the Reagan Administration during the 1980s, the Commission dissolved the fairness doctrine.

This doctrine grew out of concern that because of the large number of applications for radio station being submitted and the limited number of frequencies available, broadcasters should make sure they did not use their stations simply as advocates with a singular perspective. Rather, they must allow all points of view. That requirement was to be enforced by FCC mandate.

From the early 1940s, the FCC had established the “Mayflower Doctrine,” which prohibited editorializing by stations. But that absolute ban softened somewhat by the end of the decade, allowing editorializing only if other points of view were aired, balancing that of the station’s. During these years, the FCC had established dicta and case law guiding the operation of the doctrine.

In ensuing years the FCC ensured that the doctrine was operational by laying out rules defining such matters as personal attack and political editorializing (1967). In 1971 the Commission set requirements for the stations to report, with their license renewal, efforts to seek out and address issues of concern to the community. This process became known as “Ascertainment of Community Needs,” and was to be done systematically and by the station management.
The fairness doctrine ran parallel to Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1937 which required stations to offer “equal opportunity” to all legally qualified political candidates for any office if they had allowed any person running in that office to use the station. The attempt was to balance–to force an even handedness. Section 315 exempted news programs, interviews and documentaries. But the doctrine would include such efforts. Another major difference should be noted here: Section 315 was federal law, passed by Congress. The fairness doctrine was simply FCC policy.

The FCC fairness policy was given great credence by the 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case of Red Lion Broadcasting Co., Inc. v. FCC. In that case, a station in Pennsylvania, licensed by Red Lion Co., had aired a “Christian Crusade” program wherein an author, Fred J. Cook, was attacked. When Cook requested time to reply in keeping with the fairness doctrine, the station refused. Upon appeal to the FCC, the Commission declared that there was personal attack and the station had failed to meet its obligation. The station appealed and the case wended its way through the courts and eventually to the Supreme Court. The court ruled for the FCC, giving sanction to the fairness doctrine.

The doctrine, nevertheless, disturbed many journalists, who considered it a violation of First Amendment rights of free speech/free press which should allow reporters to make their own decisions about balancing stories. Fairness, in this view, should not be forced by the FCC. In order to avoid the requirement to go out and find contrasting viewpoints on every issue raised in a story, some journalists simply avoided any coverage of some controversial issues. This “chilling effect” was just the opposite of what the FCC intended.

By the 1980s, many things had changed. The “scarcity” argument which dictated the “public trustee” philosophy of the Commission, was disappearing with the abundant number of channels available on cable TV. Without scarcity, or with many other voices in the marketplace of ideas, there were perhaps fewer compelling reasons to keep the fairness doctrine. This was also the era of deregulation when the FCC took on a different attitude about its many rules, seen as an unnecessary burden by most stations. The new Chairman of the FCC, Mark Fowler, appointed by President Reagan, publicly avowed to kill to fairness doctrine.

By 1985, the FCC issued its Fairness Report, asserting that the doctrine was no longer having its intended effect, might actually have a “chilling effect” and might be in violation of the First Amendment. In a 1987 case, Meredith Corp. v. FCC, the courts declared that the doctrine was not mandated by Congress and the FCC did not have to continue to enforce it. The FCC dissolved the doctrine in August of that year. However, before the Commission’s action, in the spring of 1987, both houses of Congress voted to put the fairness doctrine into law–a statutory fairness doctrine which the FCC would have to enforce, like it or not. But President Reagan, in keeping with his deregulatory efforts and his long-standing favor of keeping government out of the affairs of business, vetoed the legislation. There were insufficient votes to override the veto. Congressional efforts to make the doctrine into law surfaced again during the Bush administration. As before, the legislation was vetoed, this time by Bush.

The fairness doctrine remains just beneath the surface of concerns over broadcasting and cablecasting, and some members of congress continue to threaten to pass it into legislation. Currently, however, there is no required balance of controversial issues as mandated by the fairness doctrine. The public relies instead on the judgment of broadcast journalists and its own reasoning ability to sort out one-sided or distorted coverage of an issue. Indeed, experience over the past several years since the demise of the doctrine shows that broadcasters can and do provide substantial coverage of controversial issues of public importance in their communities, including contrasting viewpoints, through news, public affairs, public service, interactive and special programming.
-Val E. Limburg
 

The Battle for Talk Radio: Powerful Foes Want to End the Gabfest

The 2008 election has yet to be decided, but one thing is clear: If the Democrats win the White House, expect an all-out attack on talk radio. Political talk, as we know it, could end.

If Obama wins [this is the second thing he’ll do], Rush, Imus, Savage, Beck, and dozens of other major hosts will be muzzled by using federal regulations to control political talk.

So, what’s their plan of attack?

As Newsmax magazine reveals in its special report, “The Battle for Talk Radio,” leading liberals in Congress, the Democratic presidential candidates, and even some Republicans speak openly of their plans to end conservative talk radio using federal regulations.

Their weapon: a revived Fairness Doctrine, which would once again require stations to air divergent points of view — a clever ruse that makes station owners leery of airing controversial talk-radio hosts fearing law suits and federal sanctions.
With a new Fairness Doctrine, you could see many top conservative radio hosts canned.

This Newsmax special report also features an exclusive interview with Fox News host Bill O’Reilly who tells Newsmax there is no question a plan is being hatched. “The far-left kooks will try, but they will fail,” O’Reilly says. [From your lips to God’s ear, Bill.]

FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEM

You Votin’ for the Promise Breaker? by Kelly Mortimer

Ah, heck. Nothin’ to worry about. I’m sure Mr. Obama will keep all of his promises once he’s in the White house. [I hope he remains in character and breaks his promises if he gets in. Then I might not have to close my three small businesses, and, honestly, I have considered it.]

The federal campaign finance system gives each presidential nominee a dollar for every dollar they raise. There’s a catch. The system limits the amount the candidates can spend after their party convention to 84 million dollars.

Let’s revisit November of 2007. Mr. Obama promised to accept this financing to “work with Republicans to see both have the same opportunities within those limits.”

Last time I checked, the dude was flush with dead presidents. [No irreverence intended.] So, Obama broke his promise. His excuse? [Oh, I don’t like excuses either, especially bad ones.] Mr. Obama said our system is broken. He justified breaking his promise by saying he’d need those extra dollars to battle all those negative “527” ads that were gonna flood the airwaves. Hmm. I haven’t seen any. You? Nope. Mr. Obama has cash-cows forkin’ over major bales of hay. Right now, less than a week away from the election, he’s earned an unprecedented 600 million dollars. [Guess it is an advantage to have Oprah endorse ya.]

Say, why doesn’t he save the cheese for some of his programs? He could be the 600 Million Dollar Man … I can make the government bigger, stronger, fatter… [Sorry.]

The truth is—and even those voting for Obama know it—he broke his promise because it was to his financial advantage. Senator McCain made the same promise in November of 2008. Unfortunately, he kept his promise, to his detriment.

I’d expect nothing less from either of the candidates.

Here’s a quote for ya from the Washington Post:
“A hypocrite is a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue—who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. And that, it seems to me, is what we have here.” Yeah, I know. Probably a Rush Limbaugh quote. Nope. The author of the statement is Obama supporter, John Kerry.

To hear more, go to cnn.com and click on “Politics.” On the right-hand side, click on Commentary: Obama Breaks Promise [Sorry I’m not including a link, but I can’t chance it with “the blog from Hell!”]

FILIBUSTER– tactic used to delay or prevent action, especially in a legislative context

Busted! by Kelly Mortimer

Mr. Obama is an open book. He’s not hiding his Marxist/Socialist political views. [The Leftist Times—beg pardon—Los AngelesTimes is. More on that later.] We have more to fear than the obvious. Has anyone thought of what’s creeping around the corner? Busted! The Democrats have a working 51-vote majority, and it’s possible they can swing the moderate Republicans on major issues. [If there’s one thing that turns me purple, it’s “moderates” who are liberals masquerading as conservatives. Hey, guys, Halloween is on Oct. 31….]

If Mr. Obama wins with 56 Senate seats, we have a major problem. If Mr. Obama wins and gets 60 votes in the Senate, we have a Socialist-governed nation. We’ll have a one-party, filibuster-proof system. [I’m cringing in terror!]

Republican filibusters could be the only way to stop Democratic domination of Washington. We’ve had the power to filibuster for 30 years. If we lose it now, conservatives won’t be able to block anything the liberal agenda rams down our throats. Can any of you imagine a President Obama with no checks and balances? You’ve heard it before, “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

If you believe marriage is between a man and a woman; that a fetus isn’t a “choice,” it’s a baby; if you don’t want the government in charge of your healthcare; if you think you should keep the money you earn, how can you, in good conscience, vote for Mr. Obama? There’s more at stake here than the economy, which as I reported under “E,” will not improve with Mr. Obama in the White House—unless you’re a fan of Carl Marx.

So, just a reminder. The presidential election isn’t the only issue of importance. Get the word out on the Senate seats possibly in jeopardy: Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Oregon. We can’t lose those seats. We can’t give the spend-happy Congress a blank check, and if Obama wins, give him absolute power.

FREE TRADE AGREEMENT – See previous post “C” for Columbian Free Trade Agreement

FUNDING

Obama’s loaded. So, what’s he gonna do with the cash? I’ll let Karl Rove answer…

Money alone won’t decide the contest. John Kerry and the Democrats outspent Mr. Bush and the GOP in 2004 by $121 million and still lost.

Mr. Obama’s strategy is to do all he can to look presidential, including using funding to purchase very expensive half-hour slots to address the country [tonight]. He wants to give a serious, Oval-Office type address. This is smart. People appreciate Mr. Obama’s empathy on the economy, but as they take a long look at what he wants to do about it, they will be less impressed, especially if Mr. McCain draws sharp contrasts with clear policy proposals.

Mr. Obama is trying to make the case that his lack of experience or record should not disqualify him. But in doing so, he seems to recognize that the U.S. is still a center-right country. His TV ads promise tax cuts and his radio ads savage Mr. McCain’s health-care plan as a tax increase. It’s a startling campaign conversion for the most liberal member of the Senate. We’ll know on Election Day if he is able to get away with it.

Obama Accepting Untraceable Donations

by Matthew Mosk - Washington Post Staff Writer

Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign is allowing donors to use largely untraceable prepaid credit cards that could potentially be used to evade limits on how much an individual is legally allowed to give or to mask a contributor’s identity, campaign officials confirmed.

Faced with a huge influx of donations over the Internet, the campaign has also chosen not to use basic security measures to prevent potentially illegal or anonymous contributions from flowing into its accounts, aides acknowledged. Instead, the campaign is scrutinizing its books for improper donations after the money has been deposited.

The Obama organization said its extensive review has ensured that the campaign has refunded any improper contributions, and noted that Federal Election Commission rules do not require front-end screening of donations.
In recent weeks, questionable contributions have created headaches for Obama’s accounting team as it has tried to explain why campaign finance filings have included itemized donations from individuals using fake names, such as Es Esh or Doodad Pro. Those revelations prompted conservative bloggers to further test Obama’s finance vetting by giving money using the kind of prepaid cards that can be bought at a drugstore and cannot be traced to a donor.

The problem with such cards, campaign finance lawyers said, is that they make it impossible to tell whether foreign nationals, donors who have exceeded the limits, government contractors or others who are barred from giving to a federal campaign are making contributions.

The Obama campaign has shattered presidential fundraising records, in part by capitalizing on the ease of online giving. Of the $150 million the senator from Illinois raised in September, nearly $100 million came in over the Internet.
Case in point: The Washington Post noted the case of Mary T. Biskup, a retired insurance manager from Manchester, Mo., who turned up on Obama’s FEC reports as having donated $174,800 to the campaign. Contributors are limited to giving $2,300 for the general election.

Biskup, who had scores of Obama contributions attributed to her, said in an interview that she never donated to the candidate. “That’s an error,” she said. Moreover, she added, her credit card was never billed for the donations, meaning someone appropriated her name and made the contributions with another card.

Senator McCain’s campaign doesn’t accept prepaid cards. R. Rebecca Donatelli, who handles online contributions for the McCain operation and the RNC, said she was “flabbergasted” to learn that the Obama campaign accepts prepaid cards.

“H”

HEALTHCARE

Government-run healthcare. This alone is reason enough not to vote Obama. Think, people. As previously stated by moi, can anyone point out any program the government has taken over that now works better? Lemme think. Nope. The government making the decisions about my medical problems? No thanks! To add insult to injury, I’ll not only be payin’ for min through higher taxes, which I won’t have control over, but for someone else’s. Well, it works great in Canada….
 
“I”

IRAQ – That country my daughter went to to free the oppressed crushed under Sadam Hussein’s boot. [She doesn’t think setting those people free was wrong. Say, isn’t that was Jesus does? Sets people free?]

Sure-fire Way to Make Money! by Kelly Mortimer

Sellin’ white flags.

If Mr. Obama wins the election, he promises we’ll leave Iraq, tail between our legs. I’m flamin’. My kid sweat bullets over there, and for what? To slink away like cowards when we have victory in sight? No great shock that the military overwhelmingly supports Senator McCain.

Fact: The. Surge. Is. Working.
Fact: Mr. Obama said the surge wouldn’t work. So, he’s a wealth-spreader, a promise- breaker, and his take on the Iraqi war was incorrect.

Remember, we aren’t just votin’ for a man who’ll regenerate our economy [that would be Senator McCain] but also, the leader of our Armed Forces. How can anyone say they support the troops, and then vote for Obama knowing he has no clue how to win a war? Knowing the leaders of the Middle East want him to win the presidency?

Mr. Obama could be the nicest guy in the world with no ties to Marxist terrorists, a wife who’s been proud of her country her entire adult life, a pastor who loves the U.S., and HE STILL WOULDN’T BE QUALIFIED TO LEAD THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

IRAN – That other country over there that needs to get their butt kicked before they nuke someone.

Let’s see what Iranian and French officials think of Mr. Obama…

Iranian parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said Wednesday, 10/22, that Iran would prefer Democrat Barack Obama in the White House next year. [What a shock! Wonder why they don’t want McCain? Mayhap they feel Mr. Obama will be more globally friendly?]

‘Kozy Rips Bam on Iran
By Geoff Earle - October 29, 2008

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has ripped Barack Obama’s posture on Iran as “utterly immature,” according to a stunning report. Sarkozy, who gushed over Obama when they met this summer, has said in private meetings that Obama’s views were “formulations empty of all content,” according to Israel’s Ha’aretz newspaper.

Sarkozy fears Obama would pursue direct, unconditional talks with Iran. [Wonder we he got that idea?] He reportedly told Obama in their meeting that it would be “very problematic” if US policy toward Iran changes, “arrogantly” ignoring ongoing efforts. [Well said, Frog.]

ILLEGAL ALIENS – People who come into our country ILLEGALLY

Mr. Obama has two moves to make, pronto, if he wins the election. Already mentioned one. Guess what? He wants to welcome illegal aliens with open arms, and a driver’s license in hand. Worse, Obama wants to give 12 million illegals citizenship. Failed in 2007, but what about 2009? Mayhap Democrat super-majorities in the Senate and the House?

Most of these new citizens will register as Democrats. They’ll vote for Democrats. I’m an optimist, but if that happens, we may never wrestle control back. One-party nation comin’ up!

Well, one thing is obvious to me. It’s true. Mr. Obama is smart. Scary smart.

ISRAEL – An ally of the U.S., and an enemy of Iran.

Is he or isn’t he? Mr. Obama declares he’s for Israel. In January, 2006…

“In the 21st century, it is unacceptable that a member state of the United Nations [Iran] would openly call for the elimination of another member state [Israel]. But that is exactly what President Ahmadinejad  has done. Neither Israel nor the United States has the luxury of dismissing these outrages as mere rhetoric. We must preserve our total commitment to our unique defense relationship with Israel by fully funding military assistance and continuing work on the Arrow and related missile defense programs. This would help Israel maintain its military edge and deter and repel attacks from as far as Tehran and as close as Gaza. When Israel is attacked, we must stand up for Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself.”

But in March of 2008, Obama had a slip-of-the-tongue [kinda like when he said, “My Muslim faith…”], stating compassion for Palestinians: “Nobody’s suffering more than the Palestinian people.”

From: Obama’s Israel Shuffle by Justin Elliot

The suspicion of pro-Israel advocates for Obama was most recently captured in a January 23 Jerusalem Post op-edin which Danny Ayalon, the former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., called the senator’s candidacy cause for “some degree of concern.” A memo by a top official at the American Jewish Committee, recently leaked to the Jewish Daily Forward, neatly outlined the roots of this concern: In the late 1990s Obama reportedly called for an even-handed approach to the conflict; his pastor had praised Louis Farrakhan; he has called for diplomacy with Iran; and, of course, he was once photographed breaking bread with the late Palestinian-American academic Edward Said.

Obama experienced a mini-version of the Dean treatment after his statement about Palestinian suffering in March. When David Adelman, a prominent Iowa Democrat and AIPAC member, shot off a letter to Obama calling the comment “deeply troubling,” a spokesman scrambled to run damage control, telling the AP that Obama believes “in the end, the Palestinian people are suffering from the Hamas-led government’s refusal to renounce terrorism.” Aides met personally with Adelman, who told the Des Moines Register he was “satisfied with their response.”

The campaign let the quote stand for six weeks. Then, in the first debate, before a televised audience of around two million, Brian Williams asked the senator if he stood by his comment. Obama bailed. “Well, keep in mind what the remark actually, if you had the whole thing, said.… [N]obody has suffered more than the Palestinian people from the failure of the Palestinian leadership to recognize Israel…”

For the candidate who is selling hope, it was a fairly cynical move. [end]

Lastly, consider what his advisor of foreign policy from 2005 until March (when she called Hillary “a monster”), Samantha Power, said about Israel and the pro-Israeli lobby in an interview a few years back on how she would advise the president on monitoring Israel:
 
“It may take putting something on the line in service of helping. Sacrificing or investing billions of dollars, not in servicing Israeli’s military, but actually investing in the new state of Palestine, in investing billions of dollars to support a mammoth protection force … a meaningful military presence …” [go to hotair.com archives to hear the interview in it’s
entirety]

Note: Ms. Powers wasn’t dismissed because of her stance on Israel, but on her comment about Ms. Clinton. Also ties into Khalidi, under “K”….

“J”

JUDGES – Those who sit in judgment

Obama’s ‘Redistribution’ Constitution  by Steven Calabresi

The courts are poised for a takeover by the judicial left.

One of the great unappreciated stories of the past eight years is how thoroughly Senate Democrats thwarted efforts by President Bush to appoint judges to the lower federal courts.

Consider the most important lower federal court in the country: the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In his two terms as president, Ronald Reagan appointed eight judges, an average of one a year, to this court. They included Robert Bork, Antonin Scalia, Kenneth Starr, Larry Silberman, Stephen Williams, James Buckley, Douglas Ginsburg and David Sentelle. In his two terms, George W. Bush was able to name only four: John Roberts, Janice Rogers Brown, Thomas Griffith and Brett Kavanaugh.

Although two seats on this court are vacant, Bush nominee Peter Keisler has been denied even a committee vote for two years. If Barack Obama wins the presidency, he will almost certainly fill those two vacant seats, the seats of two older Clinton appointees who will retire, and most likely the seats of four older Reagan and George H.W. Bush appointees who may retire as well.

The net result is that the legal left will once again have a majority on the nation’s most important regulatory court of appeals.

The balance will shift as well on almost all of the 12 other federal appeals courts. Nine of the 13 will probably swing to the left if Mr. Obama is elected (not counting the Ninth Circuit, which the left solidly controls today). Circuit majorities are likely at stake in this presidential election for the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal. That includes the federal appeals courts for New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and virtually every other major center of finance in the country.

On the Supreme Court, six of the current nine justices will be 70 years old or older on
January 20, 2009. There is a widespread expectation that the next president could make four appointments in just his first term, with maybe two more in a second term. Here too we are poised for heavy change.

These numbers ought to raise serious concern because of Mr. Obama’s extreme left-wing views about the role of judges. He believes — and he is quite open about this — that judges ought to decide cases in light of the empathy they ought to feel for the little guy in any lawsuit.

Speaking in July 2007 at a conference of Planned Parenthood, he said: “[W]e need somebody who’s got the heart, the empathy, to recognize what it’s like to be a young teenage mom. The empathy to understand what it’s like to be poor, or African-American, or gay, or disabled, or old. And that’s the criteria by which I’m going to be selecting my judges.”

On this view, plaintiffs should usually win against defendants in civil cases; criminals in cases against the police; consumers, employees and stockholders in suits brought against corporations; and citizens in suits brought against the government. Empathy, not justice, ought to be the mission of the federal courts, and the redistribution of wealth should be their mantra.
In a Sept. 6, 2001, interview with Chicago Public Radio station WBEZ-FM, Mr. Obama noted that the Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren “never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth and sort of more basic issues of political and economic justice in this society,” and “to that extent as radical as I think people tried to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn’t that radical.”

He also noted that the Court “didn’t break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution, at least as it has been interpreted.” That is to say, he noted that the U.S. Constitution as written is only a guarantee of negative liberties from government — and not an entitlement to a right to welfare or economic justice.
This raises the question of whether Mr. Obama can in good faith take the presidential oath to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution” as he must do if he is to take office. Does Mr. Obama support the Constitution as it is written, or does he support amendments to guarantee welfare? Is his provision of a “tax cut” to millions of Americans who currently pay no taxes merely a foreshadowing of constitutional rights to welfare, health care, Social Security, vacation time and the redistribution of wealth? Perhaps the candidate ought to be asked to answer these questions before the election rather than after.

Every new federal judge has been required by federal law to take an oath of office in which he swears that he will “administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich.” Mr. Obama’s emphasis on empathy in essence requires the appointment of judges committed in advance to violating this oath. To the traditional view of justice as a blindfolded person weighing legal claims fairly on a scale, he wants to tear the blindfold off, so the judge can rule for the party he empathizes with most.

The legal left wants Americans to imagine that the federal courts are very right-wing now, and that Mr. Obama will merely stem some great right-wing federal judicial tide. The reality is completely different. The federal courts hang in the balance, and it is the left which is poised to capture them.

A whole generation of Americans has come of age since the nation experienced the bad judicial appointments and foolish economic and regulatory policy of the Johnson and Carter administrations. If Mr. Obama wins we could possibly see any or all of the following: a federal constitutional right to welfare; a federal constitutional mandate of affirmative action wherever there are racial disparities, without regard to proof of discriminatory intent; a right for government-financed abortions through the third trimester of pregnancy; the abolition of capital punishment and the mass freeing of criminal defendants; ruinous shareholder suits against corporate officers and directors; and approval of huge punitive damage awards, like those imposed against tobacco companies, against many legitimate businesses such as those selling fattening food.
Nothing less than the very idea of liberty and the rule of law are at stake in this election. We should not let Mr. Obama replace justice with empathy in our nation’s courtrooms.

(Mr. Calabresi is a co-founder of the Federalist Society and a professor of law at Northwestern University)

“K”

RASHID KHALIDI – Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Columbia University [yeah, another professor], a known Palestinian Activist, and an alleged PLO spokesman

(CNN) — The Obama campaign said on its Web site that “ugly insinuations about Barack Obama’s relationship with a former neighbor [Oh! Another “guy from the neighborhood.” I’m sensing a pattern here…] and university colleague … are completely false.”

Governor Palin [my hero] said, “It seems that there is yet another radical professor from the neighborhood who spent a lot of time with Barack Obama going back several years.”

Khalidi was a contemporary of Obama’s while on faculty at the University of Chicago.

Khalidi has been a harsh critic of U.S. foreign policy toward Israel and has accused the country of “occupying” Palestinian territories. But he has denied acting as a PLO spokesman during a seven-year period in the 1970s and 1980s. Khalidi said Wednesday, “I am not speaking to the media at this time, and certainly not until this idiot wind passes.” [How convenient.]

In April, the Los Angeles Times published an article about a going-away dinner for Khalidi that Obama attended in Chicago, Illinois, in 2003.

The paper reported that a young Palestinian-American woman recited a poem at the farewell party that accused the Israeli government of terrorism for its treatment of Palestinians and was highly critical of U.S. support of Israel.
The McCain campaign accused the Los Angeles Times of “intentionally suppressing” a videotape it obtained from that dinner and demanded that it release the footage. [McCain ain’t the only one.]

“What we don’t know is how Barack Obama responded to these slurs on a country that he now professes to support, and the reason is the newspaper that has the tape, the Los Angeles Times, refuses to release it.” Palin said.
The Times said it won’t release the footage because a reporter promised a source that the video would not be made public.

McCain campaign accuses L.A. Times of ’suppressing’ Obama video
By a Times staff writer - 6:01 PM PDT, October 28, 2008

John McCain’s presidential campaign today accused the Los Angeles Times of “intentionally suppressing” a videotape it obtained of a 2003 banquet where then-state Sen. Barack Obama spoke of his friendship with Rashid Khalidi, a leading Palestinian scholar and activist. The Times first reported on the videotape in an April 2008 story about Obama’s ties with Palestinians and Jews as he navigated the politics of Chicago.

The report included a detailed description of the tape, but the newspaper did not make the video public. “A major news organization is intentionally suppressing information that could provide a clearer link between Barack Obama and Rashid Khalidi,” said McCain campaign spokesman Michael Goldfarb. ” . . . The election is one week away, and it’s unfortunate that the press so obviously favors Barack Obama that this campaign must publicly request that the Los Angeles Times do its job — make information public.”

The Times today issued a statement about its decision not to post the tape.

“The Los Angeles Times did not publish the videotape because it was provided to us by a confidential source who did so on the condition that we not release it,” said the newspaper’s editor, Russ Stanton. “The Times keeps its promises to sources.” [Hmm. But they No Problemo releasing a private tape of Arnold right before the gubernatorial election. Did they think we’d forget?]

What is the L.A. Times Hiding?
29 Oct 2008 01:01 pm

There’s a video out there of Obama saying kind things about Rashid Khalidi, and on the general principle that information in an open society shouldn’t be kept secret and that the voters should make up their own minds about whether or not they trust certain candidates, this video should be set free. But a pro-censorship organization called the Los Angeles Times, which has the tape in its possession, is hiding it, for reasons it won’t explain. And it’s looking more and more ridiculous each passing day.

I understand that the tape was leaked to the Times by a source or sources unknown, and that an agreement was struck with that source to keep the tape hidden, but the tape has been described in a Times story already, and it quite obviously contains no state secrets. I also suspect that the tape could be posted in such a way as to obscure its origins. The Times, however, won’t discuss in detail why it’s keeping the tape from its readers, and the newspaper’s “readers’ representative,” Jamie Gold, has lined up against the readers, and argued against the release of the tape.

There is another reason why the tape should be posted: It might actually create interest in the L.A. Times. From what I understand, the mainstream media is in a bit of trouble these days. Perhaps — this is just a thought here — the L.A. Times could better its position in the world by drawing readers to its website.

Like I said, just a thought. [Somehow lost who wrote this, but whoever he is, he’s absolutely right!]

“L”

LIBERAL – Someone who wishes to liberate us by making us more dependant on the government [No, I didn’t get that out of the dictionary. I made it up. Sue me.]

Liberals give child molesters light prison sentences. They believe in killing unborn babies. They want gay marriage legalized. They want more welfare programs. They want bigger government. They want to spend, and spend, and spend more money than they have … well, they don’t have it at first. They tax the people of the United States to get it.

Mr. Obama is the most liberal candidate running for president in our history. If you like the qualities listed above, he’s your man.

More on Friday. Thanks for making this entire day worth my time by reading the blog.

K.

Sorry for the formatting. Have a terrible system. I write in Word, then transfer. I hit edit and fix everything, and when I go back, it didn’t fix anything. Huge gaps, paragraphs run together. Ugh. Try to slog thru it.

[As always, my snarky comments or questions are in brackets in bold, so ya won’t confuse ’em with the facts.] 

 I got something I gotta say that’ll sound strange, dumb, whatever. [I’ll admit to bein’ strange, but I’m one smart sucker.] I’ve told ya before, I get feelings and see things most people don’t. I actually charted my “feelings” for about a month, just for fun. For those who didn’t see this yet, I’ve listed below:  Event Predicted  Prediction Date  Told B4 Event   Occurrence Date       FactsFire                               6/22/08              Hubby, Michaela       6/23/08                    Fire in Aguanga                                                                                                             6/24/08                    1,000 fires engulf CA

Flood                            7/12/08                       Hubby                7/12/08                     Freak storm/Flash-flood                                                                                                                                             (in So. Cal in JULY!)

Dread                            7/22/08                       Hubby                7/22/08                    Gina in bad car accident; Death of a friend

Motorcycle Accident                    7/27/08               Hubby, Michaela         7/28/08                     Friend’s Uncle  dies riding a motorcycle

Earthquake                                  7/28/08                       Michaela            7/29/08                     5.8 near Chino, CA   Yeah, I know. Weird. I am bipolar, and have mood swings, but I’ve never felt this incapacitated for so long before. I believe my present state in is conjunction with the upcoming presidential election. I admit it. I’m biased. I’m so far to the Right; I’ve almost circled back to the Left.

I make no bones about the Clintons. I don’t like ’em. A fly in my ointment. Obama is a different story. He scares me. And not much in this world does. If ya ever believe me on anything, believe me in this. He’s not the Messiah. He won’t save our country. He’s [and I wince to write this, but it permeates my being] evil. I pray you all make the time to read my blog. I’ve poured out my heart and soul into it (but I promise, it isn’t a rant), and it’s long at just over 3,600 words [but ya just read some of them].  My thanks for your patience and attention.              

 “C”  Below is the link for an interview with Mr. Obama from 2001 It takes a couple of minutes. If you’re voting for McCain, you’ll wanna forward it to others. If you’re voting for Obama, I’d think you’d love to hear your candidate speak on his views (in clear detail—no media spin); and if you’re undecided, it’s vital you listen to make an educated vote.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iivL4c_3pck  Don’t forget to come back and finish readin’ the blog! 

CARL MARX – Father of Marxism by Kelly Mortimer [Yeah, I know “Karl” starts with a “K,” but I took liberties. So sue me.]

Quote: “From each according to his abilities; to each according to his needs.”  This is exactly what Mr. Obama speaks of in the interview (You Tube link above). I thought Mr. Obama was a Socialist, as his “let-the-government-pay-for-your-healthcare” and other policies dictate. [Anyone out there live in

“The traditional media are playing a very, very dangerous game—with their readers, with the Constitution, and with their own fates. The media have covered this presidential campaign with a bias and that ultimately could lead to its downfall.The sheer bias in the print and television coverage of this election campaign is not just bewildering, but appalling. And over the last few months, I’ve found myself slowly moving from shaking my head at the obvious one-sided reporting, to actually shouting at the screen of my television and my laptop computer. But worst of all, for the last couple weeks, I’ve begun — for the first time in my adult life — to be embarrassed to admit what I do for a living. A few days ago, when asked by a new acquaintance what I did for a living, I replied that I was “a writer,” because I couldn’t bring myself to admit to a stranger that I’m a journalist.”

More:

PHILADELPHIA:

“Barack Obama is now running at least four times as much advertising nationwide as his Republican rival, John McCain, according to CMAG, a service that monitors political advertising. That difference is even larger in several closely contested states.

The huge gap has been made possible by Obama’s decision to opt out of the federal campaign finance system, which gives presidential nominees a dollar for every dollar they raise, but limits to $84 million the amount they can spend between their party convention and Election Day.

McCain is participating in the system, as promised. Obama, at one point promised to participate. He changed his mind.”

CAPITAL GAINS –

by Kelly Mortimer

I’m not trying to be condescending, but I have a degree in finance, and wanted to point Capital Gains Taxes out in case some of my readers don’t know what it is.Definition: A capital gains tax (CGT) is a tax charged when someone nets a profit on an asset (non-inventory - usually stocks and bonds, property, gold, etc.) they bought at a lower price. It’s a proven fact. When there are lower CGT, the government’s revenues increase substantially. President Clinton lowered the CGT from 28% to 20%. President Bush lowered the CGT to 15%. Both infused the government with a windfall. Mr. Obama would like to increase the CGT back to 28%, yet he wants 800 billion dollars to have a Socialist, government-run healthcare system, to spend on infrastructure [he’ll need a lot of money for that, ’cause according to his running-mate, Joe Biden, terrorists are going to test Obama within the first six months of his supposed presidency, “Mark my words….”], etc.

Where is all this money gonna come from? HIGHER TAXES. He’s the most liberal democratic candidate in history. Liberal democrats want bigger government, meaning they think the government is responsible for everyone, that we need Big Brother [NOT the TV series] to take care of us. I’d rather let my husband [he’s such a sweet man] do it.

CHAVEZ – Leader of our enemy, Venezuela 

Laptop links Obama, Chavez, Colombian Revolutionaries Narco-rebels say Venezuela aiding them, more help coming from new “Democrat president”

Posted: March 05, 2008
8:40 am Eastern WASHINGTON – A laptop computer captured in the possession of a slain Colombian revolutionary provides tangible evidence Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is aiding the narco-rebels and that they see more help coming next year if Barack Obama becomes president.The laptop was seized Saturday after a raid by Colombian government forces on commandos of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. Some 23 rebels were killed in the raid, including Raul Reyes, their leader. The files on the computer provide details and context to what the Colombian government claims is Chavez’s effort to subvert the U.S. ally.The laptop made reference to the United States, and that it’s likely the new U.S. president will be Mr. Obama, and that he’ll help them.

COLUMBIAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT –

Obama Vows Opposition to

Colombia Trade Deal

By Nick Timiraos.

Sen. Barack Obama promised to stand firm in his opposition to the Colombia Free Trade Agreement on Wednesday.The Illinois senator said he would oppose the Colombia Free Trade Agreement “because the violence against unions in Colombia would make a mockery of the very labor protections that we have insisted be included in these kinds of greements.”Congress passed a similar free trade deal with

More: 

Obama Misleads on Colombia

The Fact Checker by Michael Dobbs

“The history in Colombia right now is that labor leaders have been targeted for assassination on a fairly consistent basis and there have not been prosecutions.” –Barack Obama, Hofstra presidential debate, October 15, 2008.   In between all the controversy over “Joe the Plumber,” a foreign policy issue sidled its way into the final presidential debate earlier this week: should the United States conclude a free trade agreement with Colombia? John McCain calls the trade agreement “a no-brainer.” Barack Obama opposes such an agreement, at least for now, on the grounds that the Colombian government has done little to stop the “targeted assassinations” of hundreds of Colombian trade unionists.

The Facts:

Obama was correct in noting that Colombian labor leaders have been “targeted for assassination,” but he failed to note that the murder rate has dropped significantly over the last few years. While the vast majority of the murders have gone uninvestigated, it is untrue to say that “there have not been prosecutions.” The prosecution rate may still be unacceptably low, but it has risen over the last two years, thanks in part to measures taken by the Uribe government under pressure from the United States.

More:

Obama Undercuts America’s Relationship with Columbia

The Heritage Foundation

Free trade has been receiving a bad rap lately. Barack Obama’s campaign has come out in full force against free trade. In addition to saying he would unilaterally renegotiate NAFTA (much to the chagrin of Canada and

[I skipped a paragraph here that basically said what I already included above.] As John McCain pointed out, the United States already allows imports from Colombia. The agreement would open even more markets during strenuous economic times. In addition to snubbing the most staunch U.S. ally in the region, Obama asserted “there have been no prosecutions” of the murders of labor union members in 2006. Clearly, he is either badly informed about the facts, or pandering to the protectionist wing of his party.Many Latin American nations have implemented effective economic reforms and they should be encouraged with free trade agreements, not undercut by protectionist policies. One of the most significant ways to promote freer trade is to lower some of the world’s highest tariffs, especially those between developing countries — and most of Latin America fits that category. For the

Reopening NAFTA invites additional costs detrimental to the economies to all parties involved; each would demand many changes and the costs would invariably increase for everyone. But would it create new jobs and bring manufacturers back to the

CONFERENCES – (As in “Press,” not writing)

Obama Shuns Press Conferences [but still has time for the TV show Extra]

On Oct. 24, 2007,

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said that as president he’d hold regular press conferences and “not just call on my four favorite reporters.”But the Democratic presidential nominee hasn’t held a full press conference — submitting himself to more than a handful of questions from his whole press corps since Sept. 24, 2008, in Clearwater, Fla.

The candidate often bemoans the media asking silly and superficial questions. The media isn’t focused on the important issues facing the nation, he complains.Earlier this year, many in the media thought McCain’s reputation for access and openness would force Obama to follow suit; instead the opposite dynamic has played out. [He doesn’t need press conferences; he has “the Press.”] [I have a few questions for Mr. Obama I don’t think are silly and superficial… On Foreign Affairs:Looks like Iran might make a preemptive strike on Israel, our ally. Whatcha gonna do about it?

Looks like Russia’s gonna put missiles in Cuba, with no Kennedy in sight. Whatcha gonna do about it? (See “

Looks like Venezuela might attack Columbia, our ally. Whatcha gonna do about it?

Looks like (as Joe Biden says) we’ll face terrorist attacks within 6 months we elect Obama. (Say what ya wanna about President Bush, but he’s protected our country since 9/11.) Whatcha gonna do about it?

Looks like Russia may invade Ukraine. Whatcha gonna do about it?

That’s it. I can’t go on; I’m feeling ill. Seriously.]

CONSTITUTION –

 by Kelly Mortimer

Mr. Obama says our constitution has deep flaws that continue to this day. But don’t take my word for it [although everyone knows my word is good], listen to Mr. Obama say it. Go to You Tube (link below) for a soundbite. [Much shorter than the last one. How long does it take to say the Founding Fathers blew it? For the record, I happen to think they did a great job.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11OhmY1obS4  

CUBA –

Russia Military Offers

Cuba Air Defence Aid by Conor Sweeney, Reuters

Russia will offer to share its air defence expertise with Cuba when a military delegation visits the Caribbean island this week, Interfax news agency reported on Monday. “The Russian and Cuban military will exchange experience in organising tactical air defence and in training officers,” Interfax quoted Russian Land Forces spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying.

The two sides will “discuss the prospect of training Cuban servicemen at the tactical air defence academies and training centres in Russia, using upgraded Russian-made military hardware,” Interfax quoted him as saying.The delegation, led by the chief of Russia’s tactical air defence headquarters, Lieutenant General Alexander Maslov, will also look at “ways to strengthen relations between the Russian armed forces and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba,” Konashenkov was quoted as saying.

The delegation will be in Cuba from Monday until November 3, Konashenkov was quoted as saying. Reuters could not immediately reach Konashenkov for comment.In 1962, Cuba became the focus of the deepest crisis of the Cold War after the Soviet Union installed missiles there, prompting a standoff with Washington. The island’s government remains hostile to the

In the past few months, Moscow has stepped-up contacts with both Cuba and Venezuela, another South American critic [enemy] of the

DRIVERS LICENSE –

Obama wants to issue a driver’s license to EVERY illegal alien. (Not just the people from Mexico, but the people from the

EARNINGS –

by Kelly Mortimer

Wanna keep yours? I do. The government has no right to take money that doesn’t  belong to them and give it to someone else. That’s stealing. I’ll choose my charities.  I’ll start with three quotes…“It’s not that I want to punish your success, I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they have a chance at success too. I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” Senator Barack Obama (Here’s the You Tube link in case ya think I messed up on that quote…) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZcEHLr4gBg

“Apparently, as my opponent sees it, there’s a strict limit to your earnings, and it’s for the politicians to decide. The proper amount of wealth is not what you can earn, but what government will let you keep.” Senator John McCain

“’Barack the Wealth Spreader.’ You have to really listen to our opponent’s words, because he’s hiding his real agenda of redistributing your hard-earned money.” Governor Sarah Palin (my hero)

Here’s an example for ya (I didn’t write this)…

So, I strolled to my local restaurant for lunch. A homeless person wearing an Obama T-shirt sat at the corner begging. I didn’t give him anything.  I sit in a booth, and the waiter comes over. He’s wearing an Obama button on his vest. I smile and give him my order. I eat and get the bill. I hand him the exact amount of money and tell him, “Sorry, bud, no tip. I’ve decided to give it to that homeless guy on the corner, as he needs it more than you do.” The waiter gets a cross look on his face, then marches away, fists clenched into balls.

I go outside and hand the homeless person the tip I would’ve given to the waiter. The homeless man was overjoyed someone gave him something he hadn’t earned, and the waiter was angry the money he’d worked hard for went to someone who hadn’t earned it….

Do any of you really want something that doesn’t belong to you? Wanna give away what you’ve earned to someone not of your choosing? I simply can’t grasp it, unless y’all have no self-respect. I don’t wanna believe that. Please, make me a believer.   

ECONOMY – by Kelly Mortimer I can’t fathom why so many think Obama, who is the most liberal candidate to date, will help our economy. These are the facts. Obama is not in favor of free trade, he wants to raise capital gains taxes, he wants to raise taxes to pay for his numerous welfare programs, and he penalizes the people he calls “wealthy” and small business owners, who employ 16 million people. Businesses then lay-off workers to compensate. Unemployment rises. We need to generate jobs, not generate welfare. We need to give people more of their money back to stimulate the economy. When people have lower taxes, they get more net per paycheck and spend accordingly. This pumps much-needed revenue into our economy. Consumer spending increases, creating more jobs, and more people with paychecks to spend. 

Taking money in the form of taxes puts more of your dollars into the hands of the government. They spend it on endless programs. We need to cut spending. President Bush went way overboard. Obama will be worse. Have any Obama supporters looked into his senate voting record? He’s voted to raise taxes on everyone, including the middle class. Start studying. 

I’d rather choose my daughter’s school. Competition breeds excellence. Obama is against vouchers. (Thus opposes private schools, private Christian schools, homeschooling, and charter programs.) Obama will keep your child in a sub-standard school if you live in a sub-standard area. McCain is for vouchers, giving parents a choice. 

McCain offers a higher tax credit per child, which gives parents more money to spend, which stimulates the economy. Obama doesn’t. I don’t want my money taken so the government can give me healthcare. I’d rather choose my own. McCain gives me the choice. McCain offers credit to get a health insurance policy of your choosing. Obama is for a government-run healthcare system, which will cost immeasurable dollars.

Anyone wanna give me a great example of any government-run anything, implemented by either a Republican or a Democrat, that does a bang-up job? Please? The Founding Fathers left oppressive government tyranny to establish a county where the government had less power, not more power. One sure way to screw something up is to let the government take it over. Brings the IRS to mind…. Oyi!  I could go on, but I can’t.  EXPERIENCE –  by Kelly Mortimer

Obama has less experience than any candidate in the nation’s history. Obama has been a senator for a few years. I don’t think “community organizer” [and one who helped ACORN] is a qualification to be the leader of the United States of America.  Here’s an example (Yes, I did write this one.) …

Let’s say you own a business, and you’re lookin’ to hire someone. You have two applicants.  One has three-years experience. The rest of his resume is weak, and he won’t disclose records that might give you more information, like his college transcripts, his drug habits, his medical records, etc. Although you aren’t allowed to discriminate against someone because of their religion, you know his reverend said (and this is on tape), “God, don’t bless their industry (America), F­­- - - their industry (America)!” It doesn’t really matter who his wife is, but she just said (and this is on tape), “This is the first time in my adult life I’ve been proud of my industry ( my

Your other applicant is mature, and has been in the industry since he was 17. He’s worked tirelessly, fighting his friends in some cases, to help your industry. He’s literally shed blood and endured torture so bad he can’t salute you, or the flag that waves outside your workplace. He had a chance to get out of the industry, but stayed in at great personal sacrifice to help other workers, and your industry. He plans to give your industry tax credits that will give your workers more money. Yes, even the night janitor, but for the hours the janitor worked, not for the hours the manager worked. His reverend doesn’t hate your industry, and his wife has always been proud of it. He associates with people who aren’t convicted Marxist terrorists, and feels your industry needs to expand.  WHO’D YA HIRE? Story over. EUROPE – A continent in which various countries don’t like America or Americans. [“Hate,” may be a more proper word.]Most European countries would rather have Mr. Obama win the presidency, than Mr. McCain. Ever ask yourself why?I’m spent.

K.

“A”

ACORN – Association of Community Organizations for Reforming New

·        Under investigation in 15 states (and counting) for violations of widespread voter registration fraud. [Most are crucial swing states.]

·        Obama represented ACORN in a voter registration case along with other plaintiffs in a case against the governor of Illinois, demanding that the state better enforce a new federal law known as “motor voter,” which allowed people to register to vote when they got their driver’s license. [Obama wants to give illegal aliens driver’s licenses. Hmm. Gotta give Obama snaps as a brave attorney if he defended ACORN in a voter registration case, but where was he when O.J. needed him?]

ABORTION: Murder, or Birth Control? Hey, y’all. I’m baaack. Had a guest last week, but I’m here to rant another day. We welcome all comments here, even dissenters. This is the

 Abortion. A touchy subject. Tough. I hope all mothers read this. Feel free to mention this blog to anyone you care to. Is conception the beginning of life? I believe God intended it to be. Interested in hearing from anyone who doesn’t think so, and why. 

Roe v. Wade never should’ve passed. It isn’t the job of the Supreme Court to legislate from the Bench. Abortion is an issue each state should decide via voters … us … the people. Yeah, old news. Here’s my twist. We fight for the right of the unborn baby. Has anyone thought about the expectant mother? “But, Kelly, the expectant mother is the one terminating the pregnancy. Since she obviously wants to rid herself of the child, what is there to consider?“ 

Plenty.  Some of the expectant moms are kids themselves, and don’t know what to do. They take the “logical,“ easy way out. Sometimes their parents agree, sometime they don’t. Doesn’t much matter anymore. A parent doesn’t always have the right to discuss their teen’s medical condition with the doctor. When those girls get older and want to start a family, might that unhappy memory they shoved down, resurface? 

Has anyone thought of the women who get abortions when they aren’t in the Jesus camp? What happens if they join after the fact? How do ya think they feel about their past actions? Their problem, right? What about all the women who ache to hold a baby, to rock a little one to sleep, yet are unable to conceive? Anyone ever thought that an aborted baby could fill those empty arms? How saddened is a mother with no child? Tough luck, I guess. 

“But, Kelly, if the choice is taken away, those pregnant gals will seek out the back-alley doctors with dirty coat-hangers!” A “choice” is which of the 31 flavors of ice cream ya wanna order. Only God has the right over life and death. Unrepentant killers are punished. That’s what prisons are for. (Yeah, and Hell too.) In all the examples above, women suffer—at least those with a conscience, those with a heart. Numerous females get abortions without really thinking about the long-term repercussions. Is there any way for such girls/women to recover? Any way to overcome the crippling guilt? My answer is … no. I’ve had two abortions, and I still harbor the horror. I can say I made mistakes. I can tell myself the Lord forgives me, so I should forgive myself. I can spout my anguish through five years of therapy. Forgive myself? Ain’t gonna happen. Ever. When I’m in Heaven, and I haveta stand before God, what the heck can I say in my defense?  

I do know I never would’ve gone to a “back-alley” doctor. I never would’ve done something illegal. Gee, Supreme Court, thanks for giving me a choice. I’ll never forget it. Yeah, I just revealed something about myself that damages my reputation. Yeah, I know the Internet is forever. Yeah, I know people are gonna call me a hypocrite. I’ve told y’all, my life is an open book. If I can help one person by layin’ myself bare, I’ll do it. Those who truly love me, still will. If I can live with killing two of my children, I guess I can live with those who think less of me—I’m on their side. 

So, and ya knew I wasn’t gonna end on that note, what I said above is my opinion. On to politics, as we have an election approaching. Here are the irrefutable facts.  Recently, Barack Obama addressed Planned Parenthood (even their name offends me). He stated, “My first act as President will be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) into law.“ Ever heard of it? Let me enlighten you.The ‘Freedom of Choice Act’ pretty much overturns all federal and state limitations on abortion, making partial-birth abortion legal again. It’ll repeal all parental notice laws on abortion, and provide unlimited tax funding of abortions. Who pays taxes? Most of us do. So, you wouldn’t have an abortion, but you’ll pay for someone else’s?What’s also reprehensible is that O-bortion is trying to disguise his liberal, radical views. Truth: He voted four times in the

Forget about the freakin’ economy for a minute. We’ll get to that in a few days. Those of you Christians voting for O-bortion, how can you justify your vote? Archbishop Charles Chaput labeled Barack Obama the “most committed” abortion-rights candidate from a major party in 35 years. (He’d be correct.) 

Yeah, I’m in your face. Yeah, I’m makin’ enemies. Yeah, I’m losin’ friends. Guess what? I betcha Jesus is givin’ me the thumbs up. I think I can survive if He’s my only friend.

K. [No Fear, for God is With Me] 

I’d be Published, But I’m too busy chasing trends (and getting dizzy)

Some of you worry about trying to set trends instead of simply writing from the heart. 

I’d like to stand up for the industry, at least the parts of it I’ve been involved in. So far I’ve never been censored in my content, and I’ve felt free to write about all sorts of things openly. I don’t feel my voice has been squelched. I’ve written for a wide variety of magazine and book publishers. Some of the things I’ve tackled include:

* Sexual abuse

* How sexual abuse affects the marriage bed

* Hypocrisy from the pulpit

* Moving from rules-based parenting to connecting-to-Jesus parenting

* Christians living more for their facades than being authentic

* Making peace with a difficult parent

My encouragement to you all is to do the hard work in finding and perfecting your voice. As you understand and know it, you will be less intimidated by rumors about the publishing industry (Oh, you can’t write that…That’s off limits, etc.) Instead, you’ll write what God has placed on your heart, trusting Him to place your words just where He wants them. If you have confidence in your voice, you’ll be less likely to be swayed by every trend,no-no, or topic-du-jour.

I fear sometimes we take someone’s strong opinion in the industry as gold, forgetting that it’s simply an opinion. And we also forget that trends are set by people who don’t necessarily listen to naysayers. I’ve written something along those lines.

Here’s an excerpt:

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller is a trend, but before that book, (and similarly Girl Meets God), the edgy 20-something faith memoir was not cool. My biggest pet peeve, though is bandwagoning. Once someone does something innovative (which is really just an extension of the passion God has placed within them), then eighty-seven someones copy it ad infinitum.

When Donald Miller grappled in prayer about how to reach his campus, he and his friends decided to open a confession booth where THEY confessed the sins of the church. The idea was radical and an immediate hit, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit for their locale. Now, though, I am hearing about these exact confession booths springing up all over the place. I’m curious whether, in my strolls down the ICRS halls someday, if I will see confession booth kits.

I see trend as a bit elusive. People who set trends usually don’t mean to. They simply listen to the Holy Spirit, write something totally amazing and let it go on the breezes of the fickle Christian marketplace. What happens after that is up to the Lord.

Write from your passion. Be attentive to the whispers of the Holy Spirit. Be willing to walk through difficult places personally, holding the hand of Jesus, so that you have something to offer others. Beyond that, hone your craft. And let the pieces fall where they may.

Mary DeMuth (www.marydemuth.com) loves to help readers and writers turn their trials into triumphs. A nonfiction and fiction writer, Mary has two novels and three parenting books on the shelves with three more novels and a memoir slated to release in the next year through Zondervan. Because she’s passionate about mentoring writers, she recently established The Writing Spa: www.thewritingspa.com

I’d Be Published, But I’m Trying to Learn

Lisa B said…

I’d be published but … I’m too busy learning how to write instead of just writing. 

Lisa,

There is a balance between the two. You do need to study the craft by reading excellent writing books and magazines. Perusing classics or exceptionally-written modern book helps too. Listening to teachers, attending conferences, doing online courses, and putting your stuff out there for critique will help tremendously.

But truly? The secret to my publishing success lies most in volume. I’ve simply written and written and written and written. Lots of writing. Gobs of it. For years and years. To become proficient and compelling, there’s no simple formula other than to exercise your fingers across the keyboard over and over and over again.

So, yeah: learn. But practice too. Think of writing like training for a triathlon. You could read all the triathlon books in the world. You could scrounge the Internet for useful tips. You could listen to triathlon lectures forever and ever. But none of that will prepare you to finish that triathlon. You must swim, bike and run. A lot. You must do the thing you’re learning about. That’s how improvement happens:

Practice + Learning = Achievement.

So exercise those writing muscles! Set a weekly word count goal and GO FOR IT!

Mary DeMuth (www.marydemuth.com) loves to help readers and writers turn their trials into triumphs. A nonfiction and fiction writer, Mary has two novels and three parenting books on the shelves with three more novels and a memoir slated to release in the next year through Zondervan. Because she’s passionate about mentoring writers, she recently established The Writing Spa: www.thewritingspa.com

I’d Be Published, But I don’t know where to start

Sarah said…

The list is so very, very long, and you have touched on many of them, but here goes: 

I’d be published but:– I have no idea where to even start querying (or WHAT to query, or WHOM to query, or… ANY OF IT)– I’m scared to death (of what, I don’t know! Rejection? Screwing up? That’s a given!)– I don’t believe I have anything better to say than anyone else.and, with myrtle, I just flat haven’t submitted anything. That makes getting published very difficult. 

I have issues. 

Dear Sarah-with-Ish,

Here are some good steps to get your feet wet:

   1. Buy Sally Stuart’s Christian Writer’s Market Guide if you’re writing for a Christian audience. If you’re writing for the general market, purchase the 2008 Writer’s Market. Peruse through the book, earmarking pages. Start with magazines. Choose five to query.

   2. Pick up a copy of each magazine (online, at a Christian bookstore, from a friend, from the library) and study it. What kind of tone does it have? Who is the audience? Are the articles step-by-step informative or inspirational?

   3. Brainstorm article ideas. Ask your critique group for their input. Tailor your story idea to the actual publication.

   4. Craft a query letter. Use my free query tutorial on the right hand side of this blog.

   5. Send it!

   6. Wait.

   7. If the acquisition’s editor says no, go through your market guide and find another magazine to pitch it to.

   8. Re-query.

   9. Wait.

  10. Wait for a response, and either repeat as necessary, or send in the requested manuscript.

As to fear, it’s something you’ll have to work through. Yes, it’s scary. But it’s not so scary that someone will kill you if you fail. So relax! And remember that rejection has NOTHING to do with you personally. You are not invalidated as a human being if you’re rejected. If anything, a rejection simply adds you to the writer hall of fame. It’s a badge of honor, proof that you’re trying.

Mary DeMuth (www.marydemuth.com) loves to help readers and writers turn their trials into triumphs. A nonfiction and fiction writer, Mary has two novels and three parenting books on the shelves with three more novels and a memoir slated to release in the next year through Zondervan. Because she’s passionate about mentoring writers, she recently established The Writing Spa: www.thewritingspa.com

L’d Be Published, but I haven’t submitted anything

myrtle said…

I’d be published, but… 

1) I’m still practicing, establishing good writing habits and improving my technique. 

2) Bottom line: I haven’t submitted anything yet. 

Myrtle,

I’m heartened to hear you’re establishing good writing habits and improving. That’s certainly the first step in getting published, and it’s essential if you’d like to stay published and continually grow as a writer throughout your life. So, kudos to you.

However, and this is a big HOWEVER: there comes a time when you have to test the waters (to use a cliche). A good critique group will help you hone the craft. Writing books and classes and conferences will help too. But nothing is more indicative if you are ready for publication than taking the risk to submit. What will happen if you do?

   1. You could get a blank, standardized rejection. If you get one, then you can finally call yourself a writer. I’ve had my share of them. A plethora, perhaps. It’s part of the journey. Don’t cry if you get one. See it as a notch on your belt toward publication.

   2. You could get a personal rejection. These are gold. On one of my later queries (after sending in several and getting lots of standard rejections that started, “Dear Writing Professional, I regret to inform you . . . “) an editor wrote, “This won’t fit our needs, but please keep submitting.” I did. And eventually had some things published in that magazine.

   3. You could get a “Please send me the manuscript” note. Hooray! Send it! See what happens. This will help you realize all that toiling over your writing has helped.

   4. You could receive a “Thanks for your manuscript, but it doesn’t fit our editorial needs at this time.” If that happens, simply recycle the query, send it again, and see if you can sell the article elsewhere. One magazine’s no may be another’s yes.

   5. You could get THE LETTER stating how brilliant you are (in no uncertain terms) and would you like them to PAY you for your story?!!

See all the possibilities! How will you ever know if you’re ready if you don’t try submitting? And how will you ever be published if you’re never published? How will you show publishing clips of your work if you’ve never been published?

Start small. Try regional magazines and newspapers. Build your portfolio and confidence all at once. What’s stopping you?

Mary DeMuth (www.marydemuth.com) loves to help readers and writers turn their trials into triumphs. A nonfiction and fiction writer, Mary has two novels and three parenting books on the shelves with three more novels and a memoir slated to release in the next year through Zondervan. Because she’s passionate about mentoring writers, she recently established The Writing Spa: www.thewritingspa.com

I’d like to welcome a guest blogger this week. Mary DeMuth: author, speaker, book mentor. Back to ranting next week. Promise.

Mary, thanks so much for the words of wisdom. Everybody, read on… 

I’d be Published BUT I don’t write

Billie said…

I would like to be published, BUT I haven’t written anything! Ok, you can stop laughing. I write…on my blog…birthday cards that end up turning into books…in journals to my kiddos. MY point is I like to write…and I can write. In fact this has become a spiritual thing for me in that I am beginning to recognize I have some God given ability and it may be wrong to not use it. That being said, I still don’t know what to write. I always have an opinion but I guess I feel like I’m not much of an expert on anything and that it’s all been said before. Ok…I feel better. Now my 1st book is complete. Sorry for all of the words. I guess I am a writer at heart after all! 

Billie,

The first thing that comes to mind is this parable from Luke 19:

12 Therefore he said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 And he summoned ten of his slaves, gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business with these until I come back.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to be king over us!’ 15 When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned these slaves to whom he had given the money. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. 16 So the first one came before him and said, ‘Sir, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And the king said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.’ 18 Then the second one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 So the king said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another slave came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina that I put away for safekeeping in a piece of cloth. 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 The king said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! So you knew, did you, that I was a severe man, withdrawing what I didn’t deposit and reaping what I didn’t sow? 23 Why then didn’t you put my money in the bank, so that when I returned I could have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to his attendants, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has ten.’ 25 But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten minas already!’ 26 ‘I tell you that everyone who has will be given more, but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me!’”

I totally don’t mean this to be a harsh post, warning would-be-writers of gnashing teeth and outer darkness, but I would encourage you to take seriously the gift He’s given you. You actually may be doing that. Some of us naively think that if God has given us a gift to write it automatically means publication.

Not necessarily so. God honors unpublished words. Those words you write to encourage people are His tools to touch many. Don’t despise those unpublished words. The real key is this question: Is God calling you to write for a wider audience? If not, then joyfully take your talents and sow them into your loved ones. If He is, then take seriously His call to you.

God gives us all gifts. It matters what we do with them. When we get to heaven, we’ll be asked. We’ll see how many times we buried those talents out of:

    * fear of rejection

    * worry

    * laziness

    * inferiority

    * lack of courage

    * giving up too easily

Here’s a practical step, though: Write anyway. To become a writer, write. It’s a simple thing, really. Write everything. Let your words come out of your heart, let them flow. Don’t worry about publishing them just yet. Just let them out of their prison so they can sing on the page. It could be that God is calling you to write because you have emotionally shut down, and He knows that you will be healed and released through your pen. And maybe eventually, you’ll revisit those words and tame them a bit, letting them fly into the world of publishing so that they reach a wider audience.

If God has given you the gift of writing, and that has been confirmed by others (as well as in your heart from the Lord), decide today to write. Set aside your fears. Think in terms of the Kingdom of God rather than the Kingdom of Publishing. Write, write, write.

Mary DeMuth (www.marydemuth.com) loves to help readers and writers turn their trials into triumphs. A nonfiction and fiction writer, Mary has two novels and three parenting books on the shelves with three more novels and a memoir slated to release in the next year through Zondervan. Because she’s passionate about mentoring writers, she recently established The Writing Spa: www.thewritingspa.com

Hi Guys and Gals,Welcome to my first rant. Feel free to comment. Agree or disagree. I love both. I ate ‘em up in Forensics. Ah, that didn’t come out right. Forensics is what debating is called at the colligiate level. And awaaay we go…In case ya didn’t know, we have a presidential election next month. Here’s my take on one of the candidates.

Booooo-Yah!

Hey Gang,

Well, you may have noted the name change on my blog. It’s in honor of the humorous narrative non-fiction proposal I’m writing.

It’s my blog, and I’m gonna write what I want, when I want, how I want. No list host to answer to. No politically correct stuff. Some of you may not know, but I have opinions in a lot of areas. I’m gonna be blunt. No, I don’t wanna hurt anyone’s feelings, but I’ll state the truth according to Kelly. I look forward to posts that agree, and disagree, with mine. 

Now, you faithful bloggers get this info ahead of everyone else. Here are the directions to apply for Mortimer Literary’s Mentorship Award. What is the Mentorship Award? I designed it to take a newbie writer, and in one year, teach said writer what it takes to get published. This includes my advice, and line edits, but you gotta have the idea. At the end of 12 months I hope to represent this writer and sell their manuscript.

You must have at least 50 pages written in order to apply, and must follow the entry instructions to the letter. If ya don’t, you’re out. I have a lot of friends, and I wanna keep ‘em, so this is blind for me, like a contest entry. Any hint of who you are, and you’re out. Your directions are below.

Away we go…

Submit: Three pages as attachments in a single e-mail. Subject of the email should be:    Kelly’s Competition - (Title of Your Entry)

 ·        A cover page in Microsoft Word  (.doc). Cover page includes: entrant’s name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number (if you have one), e-mail address, and the entry title. Name the file: cover.doc .

·        The first page of your completed manuscript or work-in-progress. Font must be in either Times New Roman or Courier New, 12 pt. Page must have 1” margins, and no more than 300 words. The only identification in the header is the genre/sub genre. (eg: Paranormal Romance, Inspirational Historical, etc.) All genres accepted except Romantic Suspense, Inspirational Romantic Suspense, (Have enough great authors in these areas. Sorry!) and Erotica or Romantica). The entrant’s name must not appear anywhere in the entry file. There must be no language, symbol, or other information on the page that indicates the entrant’s identity. Name the file: entry.doc .

·        A one-page essay on why I should choose you as the winner of the Mentorship Award. If you give me a clue as to who you are, you’re out. Seems harsh, but y’all are writers. Be ingenious! Same formatting rules for this page as for the entry page. Name the file: essay.doc .
 

Send submission to: gv@brandhomework.com no sooner than midnight, September 30, Pacific Time.

Entries limited to the first 100 who follow all the rules, or close on November 15, 2008, whichever comes first. I’ll call the winner on Christmas Day (I know, but I love to be dramatic.), and offer the writer a Letter of Intent (meaning it’s my intent to represent this work if it’s up to snuff at the end of the year, and you can’t submit the work anywhere else until the year is up).

Work starts after my birthday, which is January 10^th, and will run until I feel the work is ready to submit to publishers, or December 31, 2009, whichever comes first. If the work ain’t ready by December 31, 2009, you’ll still be in better shape than you were. There’s no cost to enter. You have my permission to put this info on any loop or newsletter.

Direct any questions to the e-mail address you submitted to.

May the worst writer with the best voice win! (No, I ain’t kiddin’. This award is for someone who has no chance of publication without more help than anyone else is willing to give…)

Smiles, Kelly - The Extreme Agent  

Hope y’all are havin’ a great evening. Here’s another nugget of wisdom for ya. I’m in the less-is-more crowd. Many writers fill their verbiage with superfluous words. We covered intensifiers yesterday. Today, it’s qualifiers. Ugh. 

Definition: An unnecessary word that blurs your meaning and weakens your sentence.  

Something is, or it isn’t. No reason to shroud your sentence in the fog, to sap the strength from the meaning of it (okay, so I’m being overly dramatic. Biiig surprise!). 

Here’s your example: It was a bit cold outside. Can anyone guess what the qualifier is? “A bit.” As previously stated, something is, or it isn’t. Is it cold, or not? If it is, go back to yesterday’s lesson, where we used the word “frigid.” It was frigid outside. If your character isn’t in

I know, I don’t allow sentences to begin with “it was,” but for the sake of the example, I let it pass. I juggle two businesses in the daytime, and start working on my handbag business at 8 p.m. Last night I went to bed at 3 a.m. and got up at 6:00. “It was” is lookin’ good right now. 

Other qualifying offenders are: rather, a little, a lot, seemed, only, slightly, just, almost, nearly, sort of, kind of, etc. (No, “etc.” isn’t a qualifier.) 

Remember, there are exceptions, especially in dialogue. Every character has a different speech pattern. Some of these words are also appropriate when one character speculates on what another character is thinking.  

Night night. Hope you join me on the morrow for your last mini-lesson. 

Smiles,Kelly 

Sorry this is so late. I got all caught up in the convention speeches, and I’m on Pacific time.So, what’s an intensifier?

An intensifier emphasizes the word it modifies. What does that mean? I think an example is worth 1,000 words. Here’s a typical scenario where one might use an intensifier: What was she thinking when she traveled to

Ugh. I keep my hands off dialogue, but when it comes to the rest, I’m tough, but for a reason. To help. Tellin’ you you have the next best thing to havin’ me rep ya, won’t help if it ain’t true. So what can up your chances? Show the agents and editors you know something most writers don’t. Here’s one of four tips (the others will appear Wed., Thurs., and Friday).

I don’t like it, and everyone does it. The dreaded reflexive pronoun use.

Definition: Only use pronouns ending in “self,” when the pronoun refers back to the subject. Don’t use “own” in conjunction with a pronoun when referring back to the subject.

Examples, please! Okay, okay. No worries.

Only use pronouns ending in “self,” when the pronoun refers back to the subject. Ex: “I hit myself.” A piece of cake, or pie, depending on what ya like. Right?

Here’s a format I see often: “His own brother hated him.” No, no,  no! This should read, “His brother hated him.” Why say ‘his own brother’? Like is brother isn’t his own? Clean up the little things. A lot of little things can add up to one big thing. Oops, thats, “a big thing…”

Finally! So, what is the Mortimer Literary Mentorship Award? It’s my attempt to complete my main mission in life: to help writers. I can’t help everyone, but I can help one.

The second week in January, I’ll begin by evaluating the recipient’s first chapter. From there, I’ll spend up to twelve months working with that writer, moving toward the goal of representation and the sale of the manuscript.

Here’s the deal, in advance, as the newsletter gang won’t see this until later. I’ll be accepting applications from October 1-31. Application includes contact info, the first full page (250 words in Courier New, 300 words in Times New Roman)  of your completed manuscript in any genre except erotica or Romantica, and a one-page essay on why I should chose you.

Oh, I can’t forget to mention this part. I can’t know who you are. I have lots of friends, and I’d like to keep it that way. Applications won’t go to me. I’m running this as I would a contest. I’ll want the genre and word count in the header, and the title of the manuscript. Sooo, it has to be a manuscript you’ve never submitted to me. I’ll take the first 100 applications that meet all the requirements. And if your submission comes in before midnight on Sept. 30th, we’ll disqualify you, so no jumpin’ the gun.

This program isn’t designed for the writer who has one foot in the publishing door, but for a writer who needs extra, time-consuming help, that I’ll give with a light and happy heart.

Now ya have the basics, so get ready!

Hi,

I’m here, if anyone wants ta chat…

This is, without a doubt, the most difficult sense to incorporate into one’s writing. After all, what does one taste when one isn’t eating?  

Reminders are one way to manage to insert the sense of taste into a scene. Remember my great-grandmother’s apple pie? The smell of baking apples with cinnamon triggers that taste sense in my mouth.  

Aroma and taste are closely connected. When one has a cold and cant’ smell anything, food also tends toward the tasteless or the peculiar. 

We also taste in other ways. Fear brings a flavor to our mouths, a dry, tinny sensation. Your character wakes up from a blow on the head and has a foul taste in one’s mouth. I’ve heard this described in numerous ways. Think of something nasty that goes as far in description as you like and you have it. 

Your character is traveling on a bicycle, motorcycle, or horse. The road is dusty. He tastes—what is in the area? Alkali? Copper? Or maybe she’s lying in the grass nibbling on a blade of it. Yes, this is technically eating, but it’s not a meal or snack. 

Think about licking one’s lips, or the character licking her lips in nervousness. What does she taste? Minty lip gloss from the trendy natural makeup shop, or the cheap waxy tasting stuff from the drugstore. Either way says a lot about her taste—as in fashion sense—or budget or current circumstances. 

Then, of course, when lips meet other lips, we have taste. This can go either way. If you want your characters to kiss later in the scene, don’t let them eat garlic or onions for dinner. They may taste good to the eater, but not to the kisser. Make it something delightful like chocolate cake or strawberries or baklava. 

This post is shorter, as taste is probably used less than any of the senses. If characters are tasting all the time, they’ll come across like they’re stuck on the oral faze of development when a child puts everything in its mouth. Taste is the ultimate spice, the most expensive, and must be used the least. I don’t like rules, so I won’t say one taste per scene, but one per chapter is probably a good goal to set. 

Thank you all for letting me visit here. I have received some notes that this has been helpful. If you have further questions, you can always reach me at: 

http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com 

Our olfactory sense is the first to develop, I recall learning from college biology. Smells trigger memory faster than sight our sound or touch. Even after thirty years, the smell of apple pie reminds me of my Grandma Abernathy, though she died when I was quite young. But those pies were an early childhood pleasure, and nothing has ever compared quite as favorably to them in smell or taste. 

Smell is one of our first lines of defense. I remember reading an article about this in which the wife kept saying she smelled gas. The husband smelled nothing. Finally, she grew concerned enough that they called the gas company. It took even the technician a while to find a miniscule leak in their gas line. The technician asked the man if his wife were pregnant. The husband didn’t think so, but that day, the wife found out she was. 

Apparently, pregnancy enhances the sense of smell to protect the mother from breathing toxins, get away from fire, perhaps, way back, detect wild animals getting too close. 

For myself, I use scent as an orientation tool. Think of the aromas you smell walking through a mall. Starbucks probably. One of those bath shops, and let’s not forget the candle store. We have a Coldstone ice cream shop right across the street. It doesn’t attract me, though I love ice cream. Why? Because the smell of the cakes and brownies baking is so overpowering, I get a sugar overload just walking past, setting up my gag reflex. 

Yes, smell saves us from swallowing substances that aren’t good for us. If you smell bitter almonds, don’t drink the poisoned soft drink, Heroine. 

Smell can be used as attraction. In my book Family Guardian, my heroine is a perfumer. Her nose is sensitive. She can pick the hero out of a crowd just by smell. She finds the bad guy by a peculiar aroma he carries with him. 

In case you haven’t figured this out, scent fascinates me. I’ve read a number of books on aromatherapy, as well as Diane Ackermann’s wonderful book A Natural History of the Senses. Yet incorporating it into one’s writing can be really difficult. One can only mention the hero’s aroma of sandalwood or the heroine’s lavender fragrance so many times before you annoy the reader. 

To involve scent in the story, one must get truly creative, for I believe we don’t consciously smell things as much as we see, hear, and even touch them. Scent, however, because of its importance to us as human beings, may draw the reader right into the middle of a scene more than any other sense. 

Audrey remained on the platform amidst a collection of trunks and valises until the locomotive’s last whistle died from the valley and pine resin scent from the planks beneath her feet overpowered the stench of coal smoke. 

With no other background here, you know this story is set somewhere in the past. Resin from the planks beneath her feet and the stench of coal smoke. The fact she can smell the resin implies heat enough to draw that out, thus using smell to suggest the sense of touch. Coal smoke is an older train. If I’d said diesel instead, the time would have moved well into the twentieth century. 

Smell is so important to us one shouldn’t even sprinkle it judiciously through one’s writing. One should use it like ground red pepper in cooking—with an extremely delicate hand. Think of its impact on the reader, but do not, under any circumstances, leave it out or you are missing an opportunity to connect your reader to your scene.

By Laurie Alice Eakes 

The sense of touch is one of the richest layers you can add to a story to enhance the reader experience of being there with the characters, of being the characters. One can use the sense of touch, of feeling the world around one, to indicate mood, attraction, even fear. It’s an excellent way to show rather than tell. 

The heat of the sun felt like a physical weight bearing down upon him. 

In fourteen words, this line conveys the sensation of temperature. We know the weather and possibly the climate, at least that it’s someplace or time of year with a hot sun. Even more, the reaction to that sensation of heat translates into mood. This guy is unhappy. He’s oppressed by the sun’s warmth, whereas someone else could be invigorated or relaxed by it. 

He brushed his thumb across her lower lip, leaving her mouth tingling with anticipation. 

Does this lady like this gentleman? Does she want another touch, perhaps a kiss? The line certainly tells us so. That brush of the thumb could have left a reaction of revulsion. She might have jerked away, scrubbed her lips in response. The word ‘brush’ conveys gentleness. He cares about her enough to want to be gentle, to hint at further contact. Yet, despite portraying attraction, the scene maintains purity of contact. 

His hard fingers clamped across her mouth with enough pressure to cut off her breath. 

In contrast, this guy’s fingers are hard, not gentle, clamping, not brushing. We have pressure blocking breathing. Lots of sensation here. We begin to feel the panic of not being able to breathe, fear of suffocation. Knowing nothing else, these few words of touch indicate this is not a nice man, and, for the moment, the woman is helpless. 

Also in touch, we fix the reader in the time and place. A character feeling the texture of rough wool against her skin shows the reader a far different image than a character enjoying the light smoothness of silk. 

A character running barefoot across a lawn is going to feel cool grass or rough stubble, or the rocks protruding from the ground, etc. A doorhandle is usually metal and perhaps slippery beneath a sweating palm, as a character is about to open the door and make an important speech, or walk out of a house for the last time. 

With judicious sprinkling, touch is a layer that enriches your writing, conveying mood, and drawing the reader deeper into your story.

Once upon a time, a friend sent me a few pages of a manuscript she was critiquing. Something was wrong with it, but she couldn’t figure out what. The writing was excellent. The author—whose name I still do not know—used action verbs, kept the pace going, and possessed an excellent command of grammar. Yet I, too, found something missing when I finished the scene. 

A second read-through told me the answer: She had no auditory words. Flames stabbed from gun barrels, snow floated from the sky, and wheels slipped on icy patches. We heard no booming of shots, no crunch of wheels, and no voices. In short, she’d produced an excellent silent movie. 

Yesterday, I suggested sprinkling visual details so as not to slow the action or bog the reader down with irrelevant pictures. Today, in discussing incorporating sound, the auditory sense, I don’t want to be repetitious in instructions; therefore, I won’t tell you to sprinkle auditory words throughout the scene. 

In fact, too many writers are so judicious in sprinkling sound in their work, they leave it out altogether. 

Dialogue can be construed as sound. Yet, without an occasional suggestion of a tone of voice, one may as well have a speech synthesizer reading. No, the words themselves are not always enough to judge tone of voice. Think of this: 

“I love you,” she said. 

Or 

“I love you.” She spoke through gritted teeth. 

The first one: Yeah, that’s nice. Second one: Whoa, what’s going on here? 

In other areas, unless someone is profoundly deaf, people live in a world of sound. Think about what you can hear right now? For me, it’s the murmur of the ceiling fan, the distant hiss of air brakes, the click of a computer keyboard, one cat giving herself a bath and the other’s bell jangling as he tries to persuade me to play with him. 

Since we are surrounded by sound, to have our characters not be surrounded by sound is cutting the reader out of experiencing the character’s world. For today’s before and after, I’m using something I have written. This is being told through the point of view of a third party not in this snatch of dialogue. I’ve changed the original as though I included no auditory sense. 

“Thank you, but I’m not leaving until I either have the keys to this practice or the money back,” Dr. Vanderleyden said.  

“You can’t have either.” Doc’s heavy footfalls stalked across the room, making the floor vibrate. 

“You’re drinking in the middle of the afternoon?” Dr. Vanderleyden asked. 

What’s lacking? Tone of voice and thus most of the emotion. Any signal that the guy pours himself a drink. Any movement. It’s talking heads. 

I have deliberately neglected the visual input here because this is through the point of view of a character who is blind, so the auditory clues are paramount. 

Here is the original:  

“Thank you, but I’m not leaving until I either have the keys to this practice or the money back.” As smooth as warm maple syrup or not, Audrey Vanderleyden’s voice held a thread of steel.

“You can’t have either.” Doc’s heavy footfalls stalked across the room, making the floor vibrate. A drawer scraped open. Glass clinked

.“You’re drinking in the middle of the afternoon?” Dr. Vanderleyden sounded appalled. 

Through sound alone, we have:  

attitude—sounding appalled

character—steel in the voice

movement—scrape of the drawer opening

action—glass clinking 

Unless your character lives in a silent world, sound is a crucial sense to add to your work.

Writing with Good Senses

Since many of the latest posts have been about the business side of writing, I am going to concentrate on the craft side of writing during my visit here. We have five days. We have five senses; therefore, I will take a different sense every day.

Today, let’s talk about visual detail. This one nearly everyone gets right. We live in a visually sensory world, where everything from advertisements to the plate of food we are served at a restaurant are arranged to appeal to the eye. In writing, we want our readers to visualize the scene playing out, be able to play it in their heads like a movie unfolding on the screen. Chances are, superimposed over the computer screen or paper full of words before you, you see your characters running or sleeping; hiding or strolling through the grass; swimming or… You get the idea. But how do you convey these images to the reader without bogging them down with detail?

Spread out the descriptions. This is so basic you’d think everyone would get it. They don’t. From the local paper to bestselling novels, to manuscripts I judge in contests, I find paragraphs describing a place or event in detail. I don’t want to give a negative example of something others might recognize, so I’m making something up. It’s awful, and it’s a fair representation of what is out there.

He drove up to the house. It was big and green with gambrel windows above and picture windows below. A sidewalk bisected the front lawn, leading to a stoop.

A child sat on that stoop. She was as small as the house was big with blond pigtails and bare feet.

He got out of the car and slammed the door. “Hi,” he said to the child.

“You did come.” She bounded off the step and ran down the sidewalk.

What’s the focal point here? The house or the child or the man or the car? That depends on the story. We’ll focus on the man and child. So let’s focus on visualizing them.

He spotted the green house and parked the car in front. Sunlight reflected off the windows, blinding him, and for a moment, he didn’t see the child sitting on the front steps until she stood, shoving her bare feet into flip-flops.

“Hi.” He climbed from the car and slammed the door.

She raced down the sidewalk to the street, blond pigtails flying. “You came.”

Although setting details are minimal, the reader gains the impression it’s the only green house, a sidewalk from steps to street implies lawn or some yard, so we can presume town or suburbia or city neighborhood. It’s a house, not an apartment building or school. He’s in a car, so it’s contemporary—probably. Enough detail sprinkled throughout the narrative to let the reader visualize the setting.

Likewise, we sprinkle details about the child through the mix. She rises and puts on flip-flops. She runs and her pigtails fly. Youngish child. Excited child.

Sprinkled is the operative word. Spread your visual details out. Blend them with the action to keep the sense of sight flowing, which keeps the story moving.

Award-winning author Laurie Alice Eakes doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t making up stories in her head. One day she started putting them down on paper. Lots of practice, a degree in English from Asbury College and a Master in writing from Seton Hill University culminated in the publication of her first hardcover Family Guardian, which won the 2006 National Readers choice Award for Best Regency. She has also sold essays, articles, and other novels. Her next book, Better than Gold has just been released from Barbour Publishing. 

She lives outside Washington, DC with her husband, a law student at Georgetown University, and sundry animals.

Here it is Friday already. Today, I’m opening this blog to your questions on:

parenting,
writing,
speaking, or
marketing.

I’ll springboard our “virtual workshop” by posting common questions I receive along with my answers. Afterward, feel free to post your question.

As a parenting speaker Brenda, what topics do you address?
Number one: discipline. Close behind that are toilet teaching, understanding temperament, and boosting a child’s school success. Depending on the program planner’s request, some want my Kindergarten readiness talk and others request a review of normal child development. To keep things interesting and fresh, each of my presentations is unique; some use power point, some use role-play, and some have silly jokes. When I was in Iowa last year, the event planner asked me to close an early childhood conference with “Women Are Winners” — a motivational, lighthearted talk about the volume of work women do. It’s based on the Proverbs 31 poem. For easy access, I’ve posted a menu of my topics at http://www.brendanixon.com/topics.htm.

What are little things I can do to build my daughter’s self-esteem?
Always build up your daughter’s other parent. Think about it this way; it takes two people to make one. Your daughter is a combo of her daddy and mommy. When you say negative, demeaning things about her opposite parent, you’ve insulted half of who she is. Also, value your child’s uniqueness. Kids don’t have to always agree with us or follow in our footsteps. They may have their own opinions, likes, and dislikes that differ from ours. Yet well-meaning parents often push their child to go into a sport, be an academic winner, or pursue the parent’s unmet dream. I love the little poem, “Accept Me” by Ruth Reardon.

ACCEPT ME – for what I am
Not what I could have been or even will be.
Accept me.
Acceptance must be present tense, with no conditions, and based on reality.
If windows of your heart must rosy-tinted be you have not accepted me.
See me as I am without distortion of your dreams . . .
A human being, beautiful, unique.
Free to grow according to the seen within myself.
Accept me – so I need not twist myself to fit your pattern. . .
But resting in acceptance, can grow.

Which is easier to sell, a well-written novel or nonfiction?
In today’s market — there’s less fiction selling than nonfiction. If you’re a novelist, be aware that there’s less opportunity to sell your work so write a stellar book while building strong visibility in the marketplace. All writers need visibility - or a platform - through blog tours, speaking gigs, media interviews, and a website.

What books have you contributed to?
Oh my, at last count it’s 23. Take a peek and tell me http://www.brendanixon.com/writer.htm.Okay, who is next?  

Three Tips for Improving Your Table’s Appeal
by Brenda Nixon

Wow, it’s Thursday already. This week has zipped by. Speaking of zip, do you know how to punch up your table at speaking engagements or booksignings? 

I always offer a table of childrearing resources including my CDs and books. Speaking pros refer to this as Back of Room (BOR) sales.  

Whether you’re a speaker with a BOR table or are doing a signing at a Barnes & Noble store, you must attract attention to your table. Here are three tips for a magnetic table. 

• First, bring a tablecloth and décor in case the store or program planner doesn’t provide such things. In my speaking contract, I ask the program planner to provide a tablecloth as it adds a touch of elegance and is much more attractive than placing my materials on a bare wooden - or scratched - tabletop. (However, I still tuck a white clothe inside my crate just in case a cloth is absent or the provided one doesn’t fit the table dimensions.) Table décor can be balloons, photographs, flowers, confetti, sign up sheets to receive your newsletter, and ancillary products related to your book(s) . . . whatever you like.

• Second, offer an affordable freebie such as individually wrapped candy. Just ask the store manager or program planner if it’s allowed. Some don’t want food indoors. For sanitation reasons, don’t lay out a bowl of M&Ms that everyone digs their dirty hands into – believe me, I’ve seen this and it’s a turn off! My friend and co-author on A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, Cathy Messecar, opts for a bowl of smiley faces to give away. She says you can buy a bag of 200 in different sizes at Hobby Lobby for about $2. Now, that’s a small investment for attracting people to your table and giving them something to remember you by . . . even if they don’t purchase your book.

• Third, practice the marketing motto, “Build ‘em high to make sales fly.” Create visual interest in your table by building assorted tiers. Stand books up on end or prop them up with bookstands like stores use. Never leave your book laying flat on the table. With authors, the saying goes, “flat books mean flat sales.” Sometimes I use my bright, red plastic crate and pile books or CDs on top and inside. If you emptied a box to put materials on your table, invert that box, cover with a cloth and make use of this new elevation.

 You may think you’re a writer - or speaker - first, but being a savvy marketer is part of the job description. Do you have other attention-getting techniques? Please share what you do to pull people to your table. 

©2008, Brenda Nixon.

By Brenda Nixon 

This is Wednesday and as promised I’ll share some uncommon book promotion tips. . . no, not store signings, they’re blase and not a good way to sell bunches of books anyway.

Winnie the Pooh author, A.A. Milne observed, “Almost anyone can be an author; the business is to collect money and fame from this state of being.” Well, I don’t know about the fame part, but I’ve collected money from some maverick promotion methods. Here are a few. 

• Rubber Stamp. As soon as my first book was published, I purchased a rubber stamp promoting with, “New book takes terror out of raising tots; Parenting Power in The Early Years by Brenda Nixon, order toll free,” then gave a phone number. I branded every out-going envelope and box with this stamp. I never knew who might read my information while it was in transit. Are you missing opportunities to promote your book by failing to stamp every out-going piece? True, it’s difficult to measure sales using this method, but I believe it works.

• E-mail Signature Line. At the end of every e-mail message, subtly mention your book. It’s simple to go into your e-mail options and add a standard line – the signature – that will be included in all out-going messages. At the bottom of mine I have: “Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com. Author of The Birth to Five Book.” Don’t let one e-mail pass without utilizing this stealth promotion technique.

• Join Professional Associations. Writer’s associations are mutually beneficial; you can learn to hone your craft plus network and promote your book. If you’re an author, consider The American Society of Journalists (ASJA), 1501 Broadway #302, New York , NY 10036 ; 212-997-0947; execdir@asja.org; www.asja.org. I’m a member of other professional associations. While promoting my book isn’t my goal for joining, it happens; and I’ve sold some through this avenue.

• Published Excerpts. “I find that writers often overlook the possibility of having book excerpts published in magazines,” says Stuart. “What you get paid for the excerpt is not as important as the exposure you book will receive.” Query a publication to see if it prints book excerpts. Then select a chapter from your book that is on a topic the publication is interested in or meets its editorial calendar. Many times I’ve sold a chapter from my self-published Parenting Power in the Early Years book to a magazine. It is easier to do this with self-published works. If you have a traditionally published book, first ask your publisher the policy about excerpts — since the publisher owns it.

• Think outside the box. Even if you write in the CBA market, you can promote to ABA.  Even if you self-publish you can get your book carried in chain bookstores — I’ve done it.
  Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, creatively think of organizations, groups, and individuals who need to know about your book. Say you write a book about Tuscany. Contact travel agencies about carrying your book in their office to sell to travelers or sell quantities to the agencies to use as an incentive to those who book a trip.

• Finally, do your Independent Reading . We’re all on a learning curve about publicity. I recommend reading Sally Stuart’s Guide to Getting Published (still available directly from her). There’s some information on marketing in her book. But, in my opinion, the bibles of marketing are Carmen Leal’s You Can Market Your Book: All the Tools You Need to Sell Your Published Book and The Publishing Game: Bestseller in 30 Days! by Fern Reiss.

Now, chime in with your uncommon book promo stories.  

Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Speaker to parents & professionals who serve children.
Author of The Birth to Five Book (Revell, ‘09) Parenting Power in the Early Years (WinePress, ‘01)
Get a dose of discipline tips at http://www.brendanixon.com/newsletter.htm Co-Author of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts www.Christmas-scrapbook.info

 By Brenda Nixon

On average, bookstore shoppers spend a mere 15 seconds scanning a book’s back cover. If you’re the author, this stat means you have precious little time to grab and hold a potential buyer’s attention, and help him make a purchase decision.

How do you do that? With glowing endorsements, of course.

People love reading what others think of a book, and endorsement can persuade people to buy it. Even if you’re self-publishing, you can secure endorsements for the back cover before your book goes to the printer.

How do you get endorsements before your book is published? Do the mental gymnastics and think of authors, doctors, theologians, celebrities, politicians, or high-profile people who have a wide circle of influence.

Then email those “influencers” asking if they’d provide an endorsement for your upcoming book. Be sure to give each a deadline to respond. Hopefully, they’ll reply in the affirmative and you can send the manuscript, the galleys, or a few chapters. Then gather the ones you like or those that best fit the book and send them to your publisher (or printer if you’re self-publishing).

 I co-authored a delightful Christmas giftbook, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. Months before the manuscript was finalized, I sought endorsements from several authors and even a university professor of Christmas history. One of the endorsements came back with a rave review. . . unfortunately after deadline. Now we’re using that comment on our book’s webpage. 

My parenting title, The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start, includes a variety of endorsements. One came from a dear friend and multi-published author, Martha Bolton. She writes, “Brenda Nixon’s new book is not a ‘look at everything you’re doing wrong’ instructional guide for parents. Rather, it is an encouraging and helpful aid to get you through those challenging early years. She answers your questions, treats mom and dad as important partners in the parenting process, and she does it all with the spirit of a teacher and coach. I highly recommend Brenda’s book to all new parents.” Signed, Martha Bolton, Emmy nominated writer and author of over 50 books. Isn’t that a compliment — but more important a way to woo potential readers to buy the book?

Think outside the box. Suppose you’re working on a book about hot vacation spots. Then contact travel agencies and the American Automobile Association (AAA) about giving your book an endorsement. Remember the adage, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Think beyond your book contract. Secure your cover endorsements now.

©2008, Brenda Nixon.

Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Speaker to parents & professionals who serve children.
Author of The Birth to Five Book (Revell, ‘09)
Parenting Power in the Early Years (WinePress, ‘01)
Get a dose of discipline tips at http://www.brendanixon.com/newsletter.htm Co-Author of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts www.Christmas-scrapbook.info

Hello,
I’m Brenda Nixon, Kelly’s guest blogger this week. Here’s my plan. Today, I’ll introduce myself so you know a bit about me and my writing history. Tomorrow, I’m posting on how to get endorsements for your upcoming book (you’re all writing a NY Times best seller, right?). Seriously, securing “influencer” endorsements for your book cover is a strong publicity strategy. Wednesday, I’ll share some uncommon book promotion tips. . . no, not store signings, they’re too common and they’re not a good way to sell bunches of books anyway. Thursday, I’ll share a bit about dressing up your booktable when you speak or do those booksignings. You do want to get people to come up to your table, right? And Friday, I’ll field any questions y’all may have. So that day, I’ll check in a couple times and see how I can serve you individually. Sound okay?

Growing up I did not aspire to be a writer. (hear the gasps?) I did not go to college and major in English, journalism, or communication. I did earn a Masters in Education. After marriage and two kids, God nudged me to leave my school district position, where I served as a parent educator, to become a professional speaker on child behavior/parenting. Little did I know what He had in store as I launched a vertical learning curve!

Since raising kids is universal, I spoke to both corporate and faith-based organizations. Sometimes I’d keynote a childcare conference or a PTA Open House, and sometimes I’d speak to parents every night at a church’s Vacation Bible School.

After a couple years developing a local speaking reputation, I began to recognize the marriage between speaking and writing. You see, audiences wanted something beyond the platform. I began writing parenting articles in a small publication. Then I contributed to compilations like Life’s Little Rule Book. I self-published a book, Parenting Power in the Early Years, continued building my speaking career, and became the parenting expert for Kansas City’s FOX TV4 Noon News.

My passion for helping parents to be more confident and competent drove me to join the National Speakers Association, local writers groups, and learn simultaneously about these two industries. I’m still learning. Even now after 12 years, I discover new information or ways to improve my platform or writing skills.  

To date, I’ve contributed to 24 books, co-authored A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, and  Parenting Power in the Early Years was picked up by Revell to release this January as The Birth to Five Book. I try to participate in and often serve as faculty for writers conferences as well as maintain an active speaking calendar. My heartbeat is helping parents in their sacred and enormous task.

If you’re not yawning yet, you can read more about me on  http://www.shoutlife.com/parentingauthor or feel free to browse the free parenting articles and menu of my speaking topics at  http://www.brendanixon.com/

This week will be fun and full of information! So, check in every day and at the end of this week we can chat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brenda Nixon, http://www.brendanixon.com/
Speaker to parents & professionals who serve children.
Author of The Birth to Five Book (Revell, ‘09)
                Parenting Power in the Early Years (WinePress, ‘01)
Get a dose of discipline tips at http://www.brendanixon.com/newsletter.htm Co-Author of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts www.Christmas-scrapbook.info

By Tricia Van Dockum

On my closing day of guest-blogging, I wanted to talk a little bit about the importance of a platform and whether it is helpful in launching a newly published book. The answer is YES, it can only help. A platform is anything you have already established that can help gain recognition or public exposure for your book. It can be anything from writing a weekly column in your local community newspaper to being a fill-in host on a local or regional radio show.

When I worked as an in-house publicist at Harcourt, this topic would come up whenever we were talking about a new title at our marketing meetings. Does this author have an existing platform? Do they already have a following due to another medium? Does this author belong to any organizations that would be interested in hosting him or her for a talk or book signing event. 

Having a platform already in place also makes you more alluring to publishers when you’re trying to get your book published.  A well-connected author is always appreciated. Just something to think about as you’re writing your book.

Okay, I guess that’s it for now.  It’s been fun blogging with you!  Thanks for the experience. I hope it’s been helpful.

As some of you may know after reading my bio, I have a 5-year-old daughter named Olivia who is the namesake of my business, Ollie Media, and the joy of my life. Last weekend we went to see the movie, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, as I had read numerous positive reviews and I am familiar with the book series. This movie was delightful and my daughter was glued to the screen, watching every minute of it. One of the executive producers is Julia Roberts, and she has done a beautiful job with casting and with the look of this movie. The movie takes place in the ‘30s during the depression era and makes you realize how much people struggled to survive during that time. It’s a good movie for both adults and children as it serves as a reminder of what is available to us now versus then. We are such consumers now and really have so much more than we need…thanks to Costco and WalMart.

In my work, I have done a number of publicity campaigns with YA (young adult) novels that have gone quite well. For a writer, this seems to be a growing genre with lots of opportunity thanks to J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer. It seems that more kids of this age are reading, which is great, and once they like what they read, they are waiting for the next book from that author. There are also more outside opportunities for YA authors, I’ve found. Once librarians and teachers know about your work and are a fan, there are speaking opportunities at schools as an “author in residence” or various conferences that pay very well as many times the library/school has received a grant for this sort of thing.

Something to keep in mind if you’re an aspiring YA author

In my profession, I have been blessed to work with a lot of interesting and talented authors.  There are two authors that I’m working with right now who have written books that I’m pleased to be working on as I think they’re both very good. The first one is a memoir by Boston based author, Joan Wickersham, titled, The Suicide Index: Putting my Father’s Death in Order (Harcourt, August 08). Joan has written a boldly moving account of her father’s 1991 suicide and how it affected her and the rest of her family in the aftermath. It’s not as sad as it might sound…rather it’s a loving elegy from a daughter to her father.

The second one is titled Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West (Houghton Mifflin, Jun 08) by author and journalist, Deanne Stillman.  Deanne is also the author of the critically acclaimed bestseller, Twentynine Palms, which is a cult classic about the brutal murders of two young girls by a Marine shortly after the Gulf War. In her current book, Mustang, Deanne illuminates the epic saga of the wild horse in the American West, from it’s origins in North America to its life today.

I highly recommend one or both of these great reads!

By Tricia Van Dockum

As a literary publicist, I have to read a lot of books. Sometimes I have two or three going at one time as I need to know how to best pitch the book I’m working on by reading it in full. With summer thankfully being a little slower time for me, I am currently reading something that I have wanted to personally read for a while and that appears to be a runaway bestseller, The Shack, by William P. Young. I am only on page 65 of this book but am so far very moved and very impressed by how well it reads.

My Pastor at the church I attend had been encouraging the congregation to read it but it wasn’t until the author came to speak at our church one evening that I was convinced I needed to read this book too. His personal story of pain and redemption and living out the rest of his life in God’s grace is a compelling one. Plus, I just found him to be so extremely real and honest about all that he had been through that it was very refreshing.

In my experience as a publicist, there’s nothing more awkward than watching an author at a bookselling event who can’t represent their own book very well. This happens more than you know as many times writers can be uncomfortable talking about their own work or are just plain shy about speaking in public. This was not the case with the author of The Shack and I think for his sake, this has helped to move his book along and make it a bestseller…beside it being just a great read!

Until next time…

Getting to Know You 

So, when Kelly first asked me if I wanted to be a guest-contributor on her blog, I was a little uncertain.  I’m very new at this but will do my best to be fascinating and share with you some insight and food for thought into what I do each day, which is literary publicity. I hope you find it helpful.

I have always been a reader from the time I was very young, so when I grew up and found I could make a living by combining my publicity experience with publishing, I knew I’d found my niche.

I’m in the business of helping authors obtain exposure for their newly published books.  There are lots of various ways to do this but first I ask the author what they are hoping to achieve from a book publicity campaign. What’s surprising is that many of them don’t have a clue…they just know they want people to read their book and have bookstores carry their book.  If there’s one thing I can’t emphasize enough it is think about who your reader is before you start writing your book by asking yourself the following questions:

1.)    Who is my audience for this book?

2.)    How can I stand out from other authors who write in my same genre?

3.)    Are there organizations who would be interested in the topic of my book?

4.)    Is my book a good book for book clubs?

By asking yourself these questions first, you have a much better chance of having a well-focused and successful publicity campaign because you’ve thought through your audience beforehand.

Until next time…

A teachable spirit is a major key to success in all areas of your life–family, work, any kind of relationship. You obtain wisdom when you become teachable. Giftedness is a dime a dozen, teachableness is a great treasure.

All through the book of Proverbs, we are admonished to learn. We can’t do that if we don’t have a teachable spirit. Pride, independence or rebellion, and insecurity lead to an unteachable spirit.

When we have a teachable spirit, we graciously accept correction. We seek wise counsel. We submit to authority and stay accountable. How does this apply to our writing lives?

Seeking wise counsel from the right people will help us grow in our craft. Critique partners can be a major asset as we grow. Use critique partners who understand the call of God on your life. They need to be honest in their assessment of what you wrote. Not someone who will flatter and not someone who will tear you down. Always filter what you’re told through the Lord. Just because you listen to the partner doesn’t mean you must accept every single thing they say. You need balance.

Others who will be wise counselors in your life are editors. Those you’re trying to sell to as well as those who have bought your book. Two things you need to understand about editors are:

It is an editor’s job to make books better.

Without authors, they wouldn’t have a job. You should form a mutually beneficial working partnership.

The key to your success as a writer is having a teachable spirit–but keep everything in perspective, in balance, and in Jesus.

                                              Copyright 2008 – Lena Nelson Dooley 

I host a critique group in my home and have for over 20 years. You’d be surprised to see how many people bring a very good story, filled with emotion and conflict, but completely bare of setting. That’s what I call “talking heads, bare stage.”

What is setting? It’s the description of the place surrounding characters. Many elements make up setting.

Time is part of the setting. In a contemporary novel, the time is present day, and in a historical novel, it denotes the time period. In the book, it could be winter, summer, autumn, or spring, or the book could span all the seasons. Each of these elements adds to the fabric of the story.

Place should be revealed early in each scene. Does the scene take place indoors or out? If inside, what kind of building, with what kind of furnishings? If outside, is it rural or urban? There are a lot of varying settings that paint your book.

Another important element is the weather. And weather can add to the tone of the book. We all know that stormy weather increases the darkness of a brooding mystery or gothic novel. Sunshine can add to the feeling of well-being.

Some authors use the setting almost as another character in the book. One that comes to mind immediately is my friend Colleen Coble. Study her work to see how she uses these elements.

Why do we need setting? It anchors the reader in a time and place. It enhances the story whether a dark mystery, a tender love story, a family tragedy, or a myriad of other scenarios.

How should you use setting? When I first started writing, I dumped large sections of description of setting into one place. Tracie Peterson, my editor at the time, told me that she didn’t want a laundry list description of the setting. Her words really revealed to me what I was doing. Thank you, Tracie.

Don’t overload the reader with unnecessary information. It’s best to include setting in snippets woven throughout the story. And reveal the snippets from the viewpoint of the POV character. How that person responds to the particular part of the setting will add to the overall feel of the story.

Setting should always be tied to the POV character’s perceptions. And that character will be affected by what is going on emotionally in his or her life. Depicting these emotions in a graphic way draws the readers deeper into the story and keeps them turning pages.

Another place to include elements of setting is in conversation beats. I hardly ever use a conversation tag (he said, she said). Instead I utilize the beats to describe setting and other characters in the scene as well as depict the emotions of the Point of View character.

If you’re an author, you should read multi-published authors and see how they include setting in their books. I will add this caveat. Many authors who write suspense don’t use as much setting, because it can slow down the pace of certain scenes – those edge-of-your-seat scenes. But they use setting snippets in other places.
                                                ©2008, Lena Nelson Dooley

The easy answer to this is: Because God created me to be a writer.

Let me explain. God created every person on earth to be unique, with the specific characteristics He wanted them to have. To many people, He gave the ability to put words together in a way that sounds pleasing to the ear and can express His message in unique ways. I’m one of those people. 

He also made me a storyteller. I like to weave together a good story that will keep the reader turning pages until the end. One that will stay in their minds and hearts for a time, continuing to bless them with how the characters interacted with our Almighty God. How they grew through the process and became more the people God wanted them to be. Because He also gave me the stories and the characters to live them out. 

When I first started speaking to other writers, I would tell them that I didn’t know that not everyone was a writer. I just figured that everyone was just like me. Then I married a man who didn’t read or write. He wasn’t illiterate; he just didn’t like to read or write. As he’s matured, he has started reading a lot more, but he still doesn’t like to write. And that’s okay, because God didn’t create him to be a writer. He has read almost all of my seventeen books.  

Did God create you to be a writer? If you have the ability to put words together in a pleasing manner, the answer is a resounding yes. 

That doesn’t mean you will be a published author. You will be if it’s in His plan for you.  

Some people who write are supposed to bless people by writing notes of encouragement to them in hard times. Other people minister to hurting persons either on their own blog or maybe in an Internet community such as Shoutlife, Facebook, or Myspace. 

Perhaps you’re supposed to be the family historian who makes sure the stories of your family don’t fade away. Or you’re supposed to write devotionals, lessons, or other things for your church. You could made a name for yourself as a writer of articles for newspapers or magazines. 

In addition to writing novels, I have written a Christmas short story almost every year since the Lord told me to become a professional writer. People around the world are blessed by these stories my husband and I send out instead of Christmas cards. 

What I’m trying to say to you is: Find out why God gave you the ability to write, then pursue His purpose for your words.

Copyright 2008, Lena Nelson Dooley

What happens when we compare ourselves to others? 

It gives the Enemy of Our Soul a foothold in our minds. He has a set of tapes ready to replay in our thoughts. Tapes from our past. He has a unique set of tapes for each of us. He doesn’t even have to work hard on it. I don’t know what your tapes say, but some of mine are: 

You’re not as good as they are. . .You’ll never be as good. . .They never have liked you. . .Why can’t I have what they have? . . .Why even bother trying? . . .Your other books were good, but this one isn’t. . .The editor won’t like this one. . .And on. . .and on. . .and on. 

I’ve had to learn to reject them when he tries to speak these curses into my mind. That’s what they are–word curses. 

Listening to the enemy’s tapes causes discouragement. Replace your discouragement with encouragement. First let’s look at the reasons he’s able to get us to listen to the tapes. 

A. Tiredness - He can really breach our defenses if we’re burning the candle at both ends. 

B. Frustration - This of often brought on by a series of unmet expectations. You have to learn to give your expectations to God and let Him give them back to you as privileges. . .in His timing. 

C. Failure - This is part of everyone’s journey. Anyone who experiences success also experiences  failure along the way. There won’t be any success if you don’t step out knowing you might fail. Soon though, there will be more successes and fewer failures. 

D. Fear - Whatever you’re afraid of will control you. Instead, cast out fear and trust the Lord to guide and protect you. 

Let’s look at discouragement. Here are some facts we need to face. 

A. It’s common - All people experience it, some more often than others. 

B. It’s chronic - You can’t build up immunity to it. You have to deal with it immediately, so it won’t get a foothold in your mind. 

C. It’s contagious - Satan targets people of influence because when they are discouraged, it filters down to all the people in their sphere of influence. Don’t pick up the discouragement from those who influence you.           

The best place to battle discouragement is in the Bible. One good place to go is P