Pete 2020

  About three years ago I was having a conversation with friends about US politics and who was the "heir apparent" since they seemed to finally be running out of Bushes and Clintons and Michelle Obama had zero interest in running for President. I told them to remember the name Cory Booker because he was going places...fast. Smart, strong convictions, a fantastic orator. He was, and is, extremely impressive. By far my favorite for a 2020 run for president at the time. And then.....

  Fast forward two years and one day on The View I listened to a young man speak. He was thinking about running for president. A Rhodes Scholar, a Navy Intelligence Officer and Afghanistan War veteran all by the age of 37. Two terms as Mayor of South Bend Indiana who just happens to speak five or six languages and is a pianist...pretty impressive I thought. 

  He talked about what his United States would look like. Healthcare for everyone and a better education system. Transgender people back in the military. Foreign policy based on diplomacy not threats of war. A sensible, well thought out, intelligent plan to bring the country back to normalcy.

  This young man wasn't boisterous and spoke evenly and clearly. You could tell he didn't speak without thinking and that the words he used were what he believed. There was no arrogance or attitude. Just self-confidence. Quite refreshing compared to their current leader. 

  While others spoke about taking away student debt and universal drug plans with no way to pay for it, he took a more measured approach and had ways to lessen costs to make things more affordable. A much-needed dose of reality. All of these things added together made him a serious contender before he even decided to be one.

  By now you know this impressive man is Pete Buttigieg. You've heard the name. Everyone can pronounce it now. He's been center stage in the first debate and is raising money hand over fist. Town halls and CNN interviews are the norms. His face is everywhere. And his popularity is increasing.

  Being Canadian I don't get a vote in US elections. If I did Mayor Pete would be my first choice. He speaks about his faith, uncommon for Democrats, and does something 99.9% of all politicians would never ever do...take responsibility when he thinks he has done something wrong! How refreshing is that??

  And it doesn't hurt that his husband is absolutely delightful!

  Ang

Women Behaving Badly

  One thing Donald Trump has done better than any other person in the last two years is to make women look bad. Awful in fact. He is surrounded by what I would have, under different circumstances, considered intelligent professional women. Instead, they have ruined both their personal and professional reputations beyond repair. Some better hold on to their jobs for as long as possible because it won't be easy to find another.

  Look at Kelly Ann Conway. She is....well indescribable. One lie after another. Defending her boss by attacking other women's credibility. Claiming the sexual assault allegations by over a dozen women are fake and based on jealousy and greed. A disgrace to her gender is where I would begin to describe her. She is the Queen of double standards and the Pope of double talk. I don't know how she can look at herself in the mirror every day. It's disgraceful.

  Sarah Sanders is worse than Mrs.Conway. And that's saying a lot. Her greatest talent is lying with a straight face and calling people out who dare to say she is doing just that. It looks great on a resume I suppose. My biggest problem with her is the arrogance and disdain she displays for the press. As the "press secretary" these are her people. Her purpose. Her reason for employment. Yet she treats them like dirt beneath her shoes which she looks down her nose to even acknowledge. I hope she saved some of her salary cause it's not going to be easy to get another job.

  Betsy DeVos, who is in charge of the education system, is an embarrassment to all women. Listening to her talk about public schools being in good order when none of her kids ever saw the inside of one is painful. And her speeches about student debt not being debilitating comes off as comical when you consider she graduated not owing a dime thanks to her rich parents. She is okay with teachers having guns in classrooms. Can you imagine that? In some of those public schools she talks about? Please go back to your private schools. I'm sure you will get the reception you seem to feel you deserve.

  And the worst of the entire bunch is Ivanka Trump herself. She sells shoes and dabbles in real estate in the family business and that qualifies her to sit in on a G20 meeting? Like her father, she has no political experience and no foreign policy expertise and little ability to speak to those who do. She comes across as vain, ignorant and self-absorbed. Not to mention ill-informed. Mrs. Kushner is out of her depth and shows it. Advising the President? On what? She of all people could have told him he needs a tailor and a back brace to stand up straight. She didn't even get that right! 

  I've on purpose left FLOTUS out of this. Her I'm still not sure about. She is either very self-aware and says/does things to make her own private digs to her orange husband. Or she is totally oblivious to the hypocrisy of her family. When I figure that out you'll be the first to know.

  Ang

A Little Parental Bragging

  There comes a point in most parents lives when they realize their "baby" is no longer completely dependant on them. For us, we've been trying to raise independent and inquisitive young adults. It looks like we have succeeded.

  Riley spent a week in England with his father but for ten hours a day he was on his own. He not only found ways to keep busy watching UK Netflix but explored the local area as well. His days were filled with mild adventures of his own making and the difference in him upon returning home was visible. He seemed to just know he could take care of himself in a whole new way and his new found confidence from that is ever-present. It suits him.

  Alex, who is no stranger to traveling on his own, has once again gotten himself from point A to B without a care in the world. Changing planes and grabbing cabs is second nature to him now. The confidence in himself and how to figure things out gets stronger and stronger. In all aspects of his life. It makes me quite proud.

  But it's not just the away from home adventures that we notice. People come to my home and are impressed by their ability to hold a conversation. Both boys. Alex's love of politics is insane and he is passing some of that on to his brother....for good or bad I'll have to get back to you. They are polite, hospitable and present. All good traits for adulthood. And just like Sheldon Cooper they will offer you a hot beverage.

  I don't like when parents brag continually about their kids. Too much praise can make little I'm-better-than-everyone-else children. And they are not nice to be around. But building confidence is important and I think we've done a good job so far.

  While they aren't perfect, far from it, the best things we have ever done in our lives is to raise these two young men. Let's hope the trend continues.

  Ang

Keep Shining That Light Mr. Stewart

  On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was leaning against a railing talking to my boss as we prepared to open for business. We watched in horror as the first and then the second plane flew into the World Trade Towers in NYC. We watched the towers collapse and the people running away to safety. It was an unbelievable sight. One I will never forget.

  But through the chaos, one image stands out above all others. Police officers, firefighters, EMT's all running towards the buildings. Running! Towards the buildings! Stopping to help those in need along the way but still moving towards the center of the destruction. Not thinking about their own safety. Not concerned about the consequences. Running!

  For days, weeks and months they worked on the site. Sifting through the rubble to find any trace of the victims who died within the buildings. Long shifts in horrible conditions. All this time though the air quality is awful. Dust and asbestos debris floating in the air. Getting on their clothes and into their lungs. The exposure is excessive. 

  Fast forward eighteen years. Too many of these brave souls are battling cancers and lung diseases. Some of the cancers associated with asbestos take many years to develop. So while they are at their weakest, their most vulnerable the program that pays for all of these selfless heroes healthcare treatments is out of money. Bills are being denied. Claims unpaid. Adding stress to an already difficult situation. 

   Jon Stewart, who has been advocating for these men and women for years, goes and speaks to the US Congress. He shows up with many of those battling diseases that are directly caused by that day and its aftermath. Yet only five of the twenty members of the House Judiciary Committee bother to show up! Only five! It is beyond disrespectful. 

  Of the twenty members, all have repeatedly gone to 911 ceremonies. They have all said, "We must never forget". They have all tweeted about the great sacrifice of these men and women. Yet only five could bother showing up. And Jon Stewart was pissed. As he should have been.

  His speech was eloquent. He was moved to tears talking about the health issues facing these lifesavers. And he could not control his anger. Pointing and raising his voice. Telling those that did show up that their counterparts should be ashamed. All the time knowing they would not. 

  "They responded in five seconds. They did their jobs. With courage, grace, tenacity, humility.  Eighteen years later DO YOURS." -Jon Stewart

  **As I was getting ready to post this I just heard Congress passed a bill today with funding up til 2090 for the 911 rescuers. Better late than never.**

  Ang

Travel Agent

  John said to me yesterday that he hadn't realized just how much work I do when it comes to our travels. He is traveling thru a few European countries with Riley and it's not going as smoothly as he would have liked. We do like our vacations to have a big element of spontaneity but I do my research beforehand too. Did he really think things just always worked out?

  When we decide on a destination I do a general search of the place and see what are the "must do's" then throw out a few suggestions to the family. Depending on the reception I dig a little deeper and check out prices and itineraries. Then I narrow down the choices and see the family reactions. We may do all or none but I am semi-prepared for anything.

  Did this all escape his attention? Apparently so. This afternoon I was checking train times, booking hotels and sending directions to his phone all from the comfort of my family room. And he was very happy I did. In fact, I helped them decide what to do and where. All part of my travel agency care I suppose. 

  Look I'm not tooting my own horn...well maybe a little. But it is nice to know that while my family may not see everything I do to make their vacays special they will no longer think all I do is pack and pay! 

  Ang

A Little Sass Is A Good Thing

    I tried and tried to be more positive and you know what it got me? Nothing written worth sharing and an increase in my blood pressure! So welcome back to the "little bit bitter and twisted" me. Trust me she is much more fun than the "trying to see the positive all the time" me. Now let's begin.... 

   We have just passed the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Imagine the bravery and perseverance needed to land on those beaches.  I can't even. Yet the GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said, and I quote "We should be celebrating our president". Imagine the bravery and perseverance needed to land on those beaches, Just the thought of comparing these brave heroes with a draft dodger is laughable at best and hugely disrespectful. The fact that she actually believes this tells me everything I would ever need to know about her. And it ain't pretty. Oh, and FYI....some other countries were there as well like Norway, Poland, New Zealand and us, Canada.

  John and Riley are in Europe doing the "War Tour" as we are referring to it. Today they are heading to Vimy and a small cemetery in rural Belgium where a great uncle was buried during WW1. We both think it very important to show the kids how our family fought, and in this case died, defending freedom. Our own and those of strangers. I can't wait for Riley to see how Canadians are respected and honored there. It will be a valuable lesson for a twelve-year-old.

  Alex and I are enjoying the peace and quiet that comes when two brothers are not fighting almost constantly. Though between work, school and his political responsibilities I could almost forget he isn't with them. We are, however, indulging in more take-out Chinese food than normal. I guess we have a weakness for eggrolls.

  Some straight white men in Boston applied for a permit to have a Straight Pride Parade...complete with a parade route. Now if this was on an episode of The Simpson's we could have a good laugh over it but sadly this is real life. There is even an "It's Great To Be Straight" t-shirt you can buy. This was reported the same week two gay women in London were beaten on a bus for being gay and refusing to kiss. Five teenagers have been arrested. Teenagers! I so thought that generation was past all the hate. I'm wrong again.

  Speaking of being wrong, just the other day I was chastised for my lack of parenting skills. I have raised two kind, socially responsible, polite kids and yet I have failed apparently. Parenting is the most difficult job any of us will ever have....even Sarah Sanders and KellyAnn Conway. Let's try to celebrate each other's successes no matter how small. And if you cannot do that then stop talking. Especially to me, I don't want to hear it.

  Well, I feel better now! Just a little sassiness today but tomorrow is a new day. Who knows what it will bring.

  Ang

** Not sure exactly what I did to make this two colors but I've tried to fix it without success...twice. I'd apologize but there would be the sassiness gone **

Vaccination Issues

  My friend Gord is a fanatic when it comes to vaccinations. He believes it should be mandatory for all except for the most extreme health reasons. While I believe in them I don't like the idea of parents being mandated by the government on the issue. For me, it is the start of a slippery slope. But that's for another day. Today is about my confusion over the health departments way of thinking about them. Well just some of them.

 Gardasil 9 is the latest vaccine my kids could receive. This is the male version of the HPV vaccine that is highly recommended for all males starting around age twelve. A few years ago they began giving it to students in grade 7 here in Ontario at the schools. Alex was in 8. The next year they expanded the free program to include grade 8 boys. Alex was in 9. He didn't qualify so we decided to do it on our own.

  This is a pricey one. $196 to be precise. Did I mention they will need three does? Almost $600! That is a lot. Luckily we have insurance and each dose will only cost us around $47. Much better but still a good chunk of change for people who are not used to paying for vaccines. The female version is given free of charge up to age 25 I believe. But boys must pay....doesn't seem fair but it is what it is.

  One thing I should tell you about Ontario is most pharmacists can give shots. Flu shots, immunizations, and vaccines. We've never used them but many people do especially those who don't have a family doctor or don't want to wait at a clinic. But it's always been nice to know we could if we wanted. 

  Once we got the prescription for Alex I asked several pharmacies if they could do it. All very nicely said yes they could.....for a convenience fee! The most expensive was $20....per dose! An extra $60 on top of the cost of the vaccine. This fee is NOT covered by insurance or OHIP, our provincial medical coverage. So in a nation that preaches about the goodness of immunizations one they promote isn't covered and neither is the administration of it. Think about that.

  Now on principal, I didn't want to spend more money on this particular vaccine. So we went to the public health nurse at the clinic. That's run by the Ministry of Health and to my mind, that should equal free. But alas I was wrong again...$15 a pop. That's more than Costco! Even the group that promotes it makes you pay extra...interesting.

   Bottom line we paid the fee. And we will again two more times. It doesn't seem right but again it is what it is. Our kids are lucky. Their parents have the resources to do this. What about those who don't? I have a plea to all those who decide healthcare policy. Make every vaccine free. Free to get and free to be administered. Or stop telling us how great they are. You look like hypocrites.

  Ang