Sweeping generalizations by an individual, in a blog diary, in the media, or by a government are ALWAYS wrong. There are so many times that a few people have spouted hateful comments and generalizations about the United States, about Republicans, about Democrats, about Arabs and Muslims, about Christians, about anything 'they' don't like. What happens is always predictable - attack and counter-attack.

During the past 2 months I have watched this blog from the sidelines and participated in the 'big' blog. The attacks are by a few...and participated in by the many. So - it looks like those that spew the rhetoric of hate are sowing the seeds of discontent and distrust that keeps them in power. Or maybe it just salves their egos to be one that has the power to disrupt.

As I posted in the Froggy Bottom Cafe - I'm taking a very extended leave from Booman Tribune.

My reasons are all spiritual in nature and in the nature of growth. My reasons are to walk away from the conflict that is present among some here.

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Some observations

• Over the past year I have seen some very powerful writers post here - and then leave. Their diaries are in my Hotlist and I've read them over and over again.

• I've watched, and felt, the pain and anger of betrayal of the strong women that came during the Pie Wars at DailyKos.

• I've watched and been part of the tremendous amount of healing and growing and change that happened as the Pie War survivors simply became BooTribbers instead.

There have been lots of diaries over the past few years about revolution in this country - a taking back of our country from those that would destroy our rights. We have fought for those rights in marches, protests, letters and emails and telephone calls. There are many that wonder if we will make it...and more that want us to be a little less confrontational about our fight.  Yet I can not be less confrontational.
The fight for what this country means runs deep in my blood. So deep that - it goes back to 1634, but that's a different diary.

In a quieter time in my life one of the loves of my life was genealogy. It has been placed on the back burner for the past 5 years.  Even more so the past 2 since the 2004 campaign cycles. During that time period I finally finished tracing my father's family - direct line - to a Revolutionary War soldier.  A soldier from Conneticut that joined in 1775, served his year, then re-joined for the duration of the war.

So: I joined the Daughters of the American Revolution. Oops: the anti-conservative / anti-military crowd just freaked out. Well, too bad.

This isn't meant to even attempt to cover all the news stories that are out there commemoriating the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. It is more of a source of information and a remembrance of the heroes and the victims of this national disaster.

So....a few pictures to get you in the mood...

City Hall....before and after

Each of  us face different choices on a daily basis. For me there are three basic types of choices and ways of living.  I've broken my worlds down into just three categories:

• Status quo
  
• Spiritual
  
• Activist
  

The past few weeks the local stations have been doing specials on the 1906 Earthquake and Fire in San Francisco. On Tuesday, April 18th at 5:12 am, it will be 100 years since the earth shook with a 7.9 earthquake and became an integral part of San Francisco's history. That will be a different diary.

For now - I'm going with the more personal side of earthquakes. What it means to live in earthquake country.

Read on and see what it is like...

Today's Hot Topic: Immigrant students and their impact on the education level of other students.

One of the more interesting conversations that came out of the SoCal meet-up was on immigration issues. With the BT expert on hand...Man Eegee...lots of questions were posed and lots of ideas discussed. We were way too short on time (several months probably!) to cover all the questions. This diary is one of the first to come from the meetup.

The topic of immigration on education was brought up. One of the biggest concerns that many in California have, and the rest of the U.S., is the impact on immigrants on the education of the english speaking students. The schools are having to address this issue of English as a Second Language (ESL) on a daily basis. So I'm opening this discussion based on the following questions:

1.    What impact do non-English speaking students have on education?
2.    How many non-English speaking students are in the California schools?
3.    How many of the non-English speaking students are immigrants?

I really interested in meeting more folks close to the SF area...

Maybe get a chance to see one of my favorite flirts - Monsieur Suskind...and talk to Refinish about his art work...and all the rest of the crazy, wonderful froggies up here...

Ideas:
Time: sometime in mid-May weekends of May 6 or May 20.

Where: somewhere central maybe East Bay / Contra Costa County

Type: Afternoon picnic / hanging out in one of the regional parks...weather will hopefully be our usual May gorgeous.

Okay I read the list posted in mcjoan's Midday Open thread at the orange site. The list is a link to Feminista and why liberal men do it better.

Here's my shot at the Why Liberal Women do it Better list. It started here as a comment in the Froggy Bottom Pub (thanks to maryb!) and then I posted it as a diary at the Orange site. It was lots of fun...hey it was a diversion this afternoon...and I'm brain dead from the 'war president' speeches and politics!

10 Reasons Why Liberal Women are Better in Bed

1. Conscience! A liberal woman knows it's not all about her. She knows there is a intelligent partner attached to that hot body!

2. Tears! Liberal women's tears - heh - not during sex - unless the orgasm makes her scream and her eyes water!  Tears are for the crimes against society perpetrated by rethug governments and during chick flicks.

3. A sense of perspective. A liberal woman knows that there is `marital duty sex', good sex, great sex...and hot sweaty roll in the sheets sex.  She knows that `marital duty' is a Republican male idea and any of the other three is a liberal's goal. She prefers the last one most of all.

In all the discussions of rape, incest, and abortion there is always a concern that as women we learn to distrust and hate men. Most of us don't. We love the men that help us heal, the men that believe us when we are attacked, the ones that stand with us when others abandon us. You are our brothers, fathers, friends, uncles, grandfathers, husbands, and just special guys.  You are average guys to the world. You go to work and raise families.  We know the difference and we sometimes in our raging forget to tell you that. So this is for you.

This is a tribute to the friends and partners and families that love the victims and survivors. A special thank you and gift of love to those that love us - just as we are and what we may ultimately become.

This is written with love for those that have lived this story and those that love the ones that have lived this story. I always recommend reading this with a box of Kleenex handy...but that's just because I always need them. This is a response to a dear friend with love in my heart.

Choices were made by a little girl - decisions well beyond her years. The choice was to escape violence and sexual abuse. The choice was to not live with incest as her sister had. This is a little girl's story...and a woman's.

- - -

Back in September of 2005 I wrote a short diary (included here instead of linked) on what happens when political stands are taken.

I've also read some very powerful diaries by Ghostdancer's way and Infidel Pig among others...that are still in my hotlist...and I consider them part of my required reading every month. If you haven't read them in a while (or never read them) you might want to take a little time to remind yourself about them.

We are not Indians, We are the Human Beings

The Two Wolves Within

There are a lot of serious diaries on B.T. this past few weeks. This may or may not be one of them!

This coming week is my little sister's birthday. She'll be 49 - about 14 months younger than me.  AND despite all of our childhood differences I really like her. She's the baby of the family and from my perspective was a spoiled little brat. Okay - I'll admit it - being the `middle girl' skews my perspective. Having a brother in the middle with me age wise doesn't count - he was the only boy. So - psychologists will tell you there are all kinds of impacts on your life if you are the oldest, middle, or youngest child. Older siblings are notorious for picking on younger ones. This is no such analytical diary. This both a giggly and serious diary...just for fun and something I was writing to send her for her birthday!

For those that truly believe in Valentine's Day - this diary may not be for you....just a note.

As this day of Romance and Hearts and Flowers and Cupids surrounds us...my thoughts wander off to the rest of the year. I am a sentimental softy and big marshmallow inside and a pushover for babies and puppies and good friends and my family.

I do not believe in Valentine's Day.

For me it is a way for retailers to cash in one more time - like Christmas, and Mother's Day and Father's Day and Grandparent's Day....and more.