Ten years, and I’m still not ready…
Twenty-two
Yes, the Violence Against Women Act passed, and only eighteen months late! Good that it did, but it’s important that we never forget the Senators who voted against it.
Passing VAWA
BREAKING: Senate Passes Violence Against Women Act, With No Help From 22 Republican Male Senators
And here they are. More at the link.
Best part of the Superbowl
Don’t forget!
This weekend is Puppy Bowl weekend.
Inauguration Day
Our broken hearts
Calling My Children Home – Performed by Emmylou Harris
(Doyle Lawson/Charles Waller/Robert Yates)Those lives were mine to love and cherish.
To guard and guide along life’s way.
Oh God forbid that one should perish.
That one, alas, should go astray.
With thanks to Beth Owl’s Daughter for reminding me of this.
Think about this
Who gets a mandate?
My friend, Peter Meuleners, pulled this info together. Posted here with permission. I think his point is clear.
“I think the real story here is that Obama won, but he’s got no mandate.” – Charles Krauthammer, 2012
“And now that he’s been elected with a large majority, or a significant majority, and with a mandate, I think part of that mandate is to get the right judges, by his likes.” – Charles Krauthammer, 2004
“I earned capital in this campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it.” – George W. Bush, 2004
“When you win, there is … a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view.” – George W. Bush, 2004
“President Bush ran forthrightly on a clear agenda for this nation’s future, and the nation responded by giving him a mandate.” – Dick Cheney, 2004
And then we look at the voting results:
| % of pop. vote | electoral votes |
2000
| Bush | 47.9 | 271 |
| Gore | 48.4 | 266 |
2004
| Bush | 50.7 | 286 |
| Kerry | 48.3 | 251 |
2008
| Obama | 52.9 | 365 |
| McCain | 45.7 | 173 |
2012
| Obama | 50.6 | 332 |
| Romney | 47.9 | 206 |
Or, as David Waldman put it in a tweet this morning:
Conservatives win & cheer about it = “mandate.” Liberals win & cheer about it = “gloating.”
— David Waldman (@KagroX) November 12, 2012