Debate Number 3

The third and final debate is now over and Senator Obama did a fabulous job! He was cool, calm, and collected. He didn't stutter. He didn't waver.

McCain, on the other hand, was as slippery as ever. I had a few comments about his statements.

One, he and his running mate keep referring to her experience with special needs children. He said she was very aware of the difficulties experienced by parents with autistic children. Her child is not autistic. He has Downs Syndrome. Over the years there have been huge improvement in the treatment of Downs Syndrome children and their quality of life is very good. Autism is a very big problem but it is not within Sarah Palin's area of experience.

Two, I was offended that he could not remember Michelle Obama's name. He referred over and over to his wife Cindy. However, when he tried to recall Michelle's name, he could not and reverted to Mrs. Obama. My impression was that she, as a woman, was not sufficiently important to remember.

Third, I thought Senator McCain stuttered, stammered, and frequently searched for words. When stumped, he reverted to the old tactic of saying the same thing over and over. The Republican state of mind seems to be that "if you say a lie over and over enough times, it becomes the truth."

Fourth, the interview with the undecided voters after the debate was very informative. I was surprised to see that all the six members stated that they doubted Senator McCain's judgment since he choose Sarah Palin as his Vice-Presidential running mate. That said volumes to me.

Linda Laughinghouse

On feminism

Dear Fellow Democrats:

A friend sent me this. Thought you might like it.

Linda


Kathleen Reardon-Huffington Post
Posted September 12, 2008 03:04 PM (EST)

Is It Sexist To Want The Person Flying The Plane To Be A Pilot?

With all this talk about Sarah Palin redefining feminism and people who don't support her candidacy being sexist, I think we could use a little clarification.

Women's progress at work and in government is critically important. We are not, after all, living in the Dark Ages. But, and this is a VERY IMPORTANT BUT, consider the following scenario.

You're about to board a plane and a flight attendant says, "Today as part of our responsiveness to customers program you may choose Mr. Jones here as co-pilot. He will fly the airplane should something go wrong with the pilot, who isn't at his best today. Mr. Jones has been a pilot for twenty years and has an impeccable record. He is, however, a man. Because you support the advancement of women in the workplace, we also have a woman here who is willing to fly your plane. She is not a pilot but she didn't blink when asked to do this and for the past week a team of experts has been talking to her a lot about how to fly."

Who would you choose? If you chose Pilot Jones, would that be sexist? Or would you simply not be a complete idiot?

Apply this to Sarah Palin. She has not spent time in Washington as a senator or a congresswoman. She has spent most of her life in Alaska. From her interview with Charlie Gibson, it is clear that she is proud of not blinking about making decisions that affect millions of lives. And she is uninformed about the workings of the U.S. government.

Personally I'd have nothing against Sarah running for a seat in the House or Senate. It's a reasonable next step. And were she blocked from this path because of her gender, disparaged and demeaned in the press, I'd be miffed for sure. That would be sexist.

But just because I'd like to go to NASA and tell them that by November I want to be an astronaut, doesn't mean they should hand over the space shuttle.

There is far too much at stake to put someone completely inexperienced in the ways of Washington and the world so close to the presidency. There's no excuse for it, really. John McCain should know that. That's not sexist; it's simply common sense.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathleen-reardon/is-it-sexist-to-want-the_b_126021.html

Precinct 3 Bastrop Commissioner Race

The Democratic Candidate, incumbent John Klaus, has a proven record of service to his voters. I have lived in Precinct 3 for four years and John has been accessible and fair. His opponent, Don Loucks was commissioner in the past and his legacy is still with us, not in a good way. I live out in the Sand Hills and when I moved here, Sand Hills Road was a mess. There were patches on the patches for two sections and then one section was smooth. I asked around and was told that the smooth section was in front of a prominent political backer of Mr. Loucks. There was also discussion about the arbitrary change in name of Red Rock Ranch Road. Apparently, the road had been an extension of Sand Hills Road and was changed by the county with no consultation with the residents.

I for one do not want Mr. Loucks to regain control of my roads. I urge you to join me and vote for John Klaus for Bastrop County Commissioner of Precinct 3.

Linda Laughinghouse

North to Alaska

Let's work really hard to send her back!

What an impudent woman! If you ever had doubts about McCain and his decision making ability, there is no longer a doubt. Can you imagine having Ms. Palin in the White House making decisions? I can't.

Linda

Uniting the Voters

Well, the dust has settled from the Texas Democratic Convention in Austin earlier this month. I am delighted to report that three of the 65 National Delegates are from Bastrop County. We have really worked hard over the last three years and it has paid off.

As early as 2006, I have been a Clinton supporter. Actually, I have supported Bill Clinton for much longer but in 2006 I voiced the hope that Hillary Clinton could become our next President. Sadly, that was not to be. She fought the good fight but in the end, she conceded to Barach Obama. I have heard some say that they will either not vote or vote for John McCain because they wanted Hillary to be the Nominee.

HOW COULD ANY DEMOCRAT SAY THEY WOULD VOTE FOR MCCAIN OR NOT VOTE???

This concept is beyond my comprehension. Our county Party has a slogan. "Remember Peace and Prosperity?" This slogan says it all to me.

I am also disappointed that Hilliary did not prevail. But, I am more sick of the rising cost of living, loss of retirement fund value, cost of war, and loss of National esteem abroad. I support getting the Republicans out of town and beginning the healing. We can't do that if we don't stand together.

The Republicans are masters of coaxing us to shoot ourselves in the feet. We need to get together and help our candidates. We need to help Obama, Noriega, Doggett, Doherty, Dipple, Jones, Duggan, Smith, Jackson, Henderson, and Klaus. I never voted a straight ticket before 2006. Even then, I didn't particularly like one of the candidates. However, I did it and I am glad.

Let's all make a commitment to bring at least five new voters to the polls with us.

Linda Laughinghouse

Candidate Forum in Bastrop

January 9th at the Aqua Water Community Room. Speakers were:
U.S. Senate – Rick Noriega; U.S. House 10th Congressional District - Larry Joe Doherty and Dan Grant; Texas Rail Road Commissioner – Dale Henry; Texas Supreme Court, Place 8 – Judge Susan Criss; Chief Justice, 3rd Court of Appeals – Woodie Jones; 423rd District Judge – Ernie Bogart and Chris Duggan; State Representative District 17 – Latreese Cooke and Donnie Dippel;
Tax Assessor / Collector - Lynda Gayle Harmon; Bastrop County Sheriff – Tommy Oates, Wayne Smith and Glen Wobus; County Commissioner, Precinct 1 - Bill Peterson and Dock Jackson; County Commissioner, Precinct 3 – Martin Brown and John Klaus; County Constable, Precinct 2 - Gus Meduna; County Constables, Precinct 3 – Matt Henderson and John McRee.
Democratic County Chair, Mitzi VanSant predicts a record turnout in the March 4th Primary and ultimate victory for all Democratic candidates in November.

Good meeting in Smithville

The Bastrop County Democratic Club held it's monthly meeting in Smithville last night. We had 20 people show up with good questions for Brian Pendleton. Brian went over the Proposed Constitutional Amendments to be voted on on November 6th. Ernie Bogart and Chris Duggan provided some legal interpretation of several of the bills and there was lively discussion about most. Thanks to Mitzi for opening up her home for the meeting.

Plans are proceeding for keeping the Democratic office open all of December. We will post hours of 2 - 4 PM at 1108 E. College in Bastrop. The phone there is 512-581-0499.

Don't forget our gathering in Stoney Point on Sunday from 10AM to 3PM. All Democrats are invited but the gathering will feature Commissioner's Precinct 3 voters.

Dennis Teal and his wife will be in Bastrop from 12:30 to 5 on Saturday, November 10th at the Aqua Water meeting room. Dr. Teal will train Precinct Chairs on grassroot organizing and how to conduct precinct conventions. He is a very dynamic speaker and can give us invaluable help. Plan to attend.

lkl