Posted by: Helen Philpot | November 3, 2008

There is a reason we call them Grand

My grandmother made the best cinnamon rolls.  As much as I try, I cannot repeat her perfection.  She never really understood why I wanted a different kind of life than the one she had, but that didn’t seem to matter.  She still made me cinnamon rolls every week.

The best tribute we can give to Barack Obama right now (in addition to our vote) is to remember our Grandmothers and why we love them.

Please share your favorite Grandmother memory below.  

(And if you didn’t like your Grandmother this is not the place to share.  Go write those memories on that horrible Dr. Laura’s website.  I read somewhere that she didn’t like her grandmother either.)

Rest well Toot.  You did a fine job.  We’ll take it from here. I mean it.  Really.

545 Comments

Posted in Texas | Tags: , ,

Posted by: Helen Philpot | November 3, 2008

Lessons I Have Learned Along the Way

(Seven Posts in Seven Days – Day 7 …Thank God)

No matter what religious views you have (or don’t have) there are at least a billion people (or more) in the world who don’t agree with you.  Maybe that is your cross to bear… your stone to carry… your spell to cast… your opinion to defend ( or not defend)… But that is the world we live in.  When it comes to God none of us have a monopoly. 

No matter how you vote in this election, several million will have disagreed with you.  When it comes to politics, we don’t have a monarchy.

When I think back to John Kennedy, I remember that people had serious concerns with his being Catholic.  And if my memory serves me correct (and that is always questionable), one of the main concerns was that he might have to put the Pope before the country.  It was a valid concern and a fair question to ask.

But somewhere along the way the questions stopped being questions and started being accusations.  I read some of the comments on this blog over the weekend and I just have to roll my eyes.  I believe I wrote in support of freedom from religion as well as freedom for religion.   They can coexist even if the panel on The View cannot.

The ability of our leaders to remain true to their own beliefs while respecting the beliefs of others is our greatest challenge just as it has been our greatest accomplishment.

So to come full-circle, I called Sarah Palin a bitch because I see a woman who took a very colorful world and decided to paint it in black and white.  I have visited Alaska.  It has more to offer than just oil and snow.

Thanks for stopping by everyone.  After tomorrow, Margaret and I will go back to just being two silly old opinionated broads with a blog.   We hope you stop by every now and then to say hello.  I mean it. Really.

163 Comments

Posted in Texas | Tags: ,

Posted by: Helen Philpot | November 2, 2008

Elizabeth Dole Just Started a Jihad

(Seven Posts in Seven Days – Day 6)

Now folks of all the things that have scared me this year in politics, one of the worst was learning that Sarah Palin declared the war in Iraq to be a task from God.  Just do a little research on the history of religious wars and see how you feel about that.  They tend to be long, bloody, and in every case, the biggest loser is God.

So I have spent more than a few hours writing about my less than warm feelings about Ms. Palin.  But as of today the worst person in politcs is not Sarah Palin.  It is Elizabeth Dole who ran an ad suggesting that her opponent is godless.  Nevermind that her opponent, Kay Haggan, is a Sunday school teacher and an elder in her church.  Nevermind that calling someone “Godless” leads to jets flying into skyscrapers.  Nevermind any of that.  Just follow this argument to its logical conclusion.  Quick somebody, throw Haggan into a lake and see if she floats!

There is a reason that separation of church and state exists in the founding documents of our great nation.  Our founding fathers were all too familiar with living in a world of religious persecution just as much as they understood the ramifications of a government without religion. The solution is a government that allows both freedom for religion and freedom from religion. Smart bunch of guys those founding fathers.

A bit of history (I wasn’t there despite how old I seem to you):   On September 17, 1787 the Constitutional Convention came to a close in the Assembly Room of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although seventy individuals were chosen to attend the meetings, ultimately only thirty-nine actually signed the Constitution. George Mason of Virginia, Edmund Randolph of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts refused to sign the final document primarily because they were fearful of an all-powerful government and wanted a bill of rights added to protect the rights of the people.  We owe a great deal to these men.

But today, Elizabeth Dole has spit on all of their graves.

It’s not pretty, but it’s almost over.  Go vote.  Thanks for stopping by.  I mean it.  Really.

167 Comments

Posted in Texas | Tags: ,

Posted by: Helen Philpot | November 1, 2008

Why I Love Margaret

(Seven Posts in Seven Days – Day 5)

Margaret called me last night with an idea for the blog.  She said I could use it for my next entry.  I liked it so much that I decided to put it here without changing a thing.  Love you Margaret!  You always make me laugh more than anyone else.  In her own words…

“We had a few trick or treaters come to our door – two devils, one monster, a ghost, two Sarah Palins, and one witch…..so make that three Sarah Palins.”

But in all seriousness…  Election day is Tuesday.  Regardless of how you feel about either of these candidates, Margaret and I want you to know that you NEED to vote.  It’s that important.  Write in someone for the top of the ticket or leave it blank if you must.  Just vote.  Don’t forget that your local elections are as important and in some cases more important than the Presidential.  Take about one hour this weekend – at least one hour – and do a little research on the issues that face this country and your community.  Remember, our children are in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan.  You honor their service with your vote.

Thanks for stopping by everyone.  We hope you had a Happy Halloween.  More tomorrow…

112 Comments

Posted in Maine, Margaret, Texas | Tags:

Posted by: Helen Philpot | October 31, 2008

That Other One Has To Go

(Seven Posts in Seven Days – Day 4)

Cecilia, the fact that you have two small children means that you of all people should be paying attention everyday.  It’s their future, not yours that will be most impacted.  I wish you the best of luck making your decision.

But onto another undecided out there.   So I love my Whoopi Goldberg.   And that Joy Behar makes me laugh.  Barbara Walters has lost some of her edge, but she will always have my respect for her accomplishments.  And then there is Moron Hasselbeck.  Enough said.  But, now there is that other one. Cherry?  Cheryl?  Philmore?  I don’t remember her name.  She’s pretty forgettable.  Yesterday she announced that she was still undecided.  OK. That’s it.  She’s a jackass.   I mean this woman is on a show called The View.  What exactly is it that she can’t see? She has met, in person, all the big players in this little card game.  Talk about being spoon fed.  And as a fellow plus-size gal I know that she has had more than her share from that spoon.  I am sure qood people like Cecilia wouldn’t squander such an opportunity.  It’s five days away.  I’ve got no more patience.  What’s her name has to go.

So several of you have emailed me about something happening in California.  Now, a lot of crazy stuff goes on in that state and so I may be getting this a little mixed up.  Evidently they are wanting to pass a constitutional amendment to make only marriages between a man and a woman valid in California.  Talk about an ignorant pot calling a gay kettle black.  Somebody really should check the latest divorce rates because clearly many marriages everywhere are not valid.

Now I am an old broad.  We didn’t talk about this stuff.  I really don’t know why gay people want to get married.  It’s not all it’s cracked up to be.  Just ask Harold.  But I guess if one consenting adult wants to declare their love for another, why would anyone have an issue? I do know one gay couple.  Margaret’s nephew and his friend have been together for several years.  They are a lovely couple and make me laugh and feel special every time I see them.  A couple of years ago Texas passed one of these constitutional amendments.   The place where Harold and I go to vote is actually an elementary school in the neighborhood.  On that particular election day I was appalled to see all the signs that said “Marriage Should Be Between a Man and Woman Only”.   As Harold drove us into the parking lot to vote, I looked out the window at those signs and realized that many parents had driven their kids to school that morning driving past those very signs.  I wonder if any of them had the same reaction I did – those signs reminded me of the little signs we used to have back in the day that said “Whites Only”.  Think about it.

And now I must go.  This seven posts in seven days thing isn’t easy.  Happy Halloween everyone.

For those of you that keep emailing me about the t-shirts… Margaret’s nephew is an artist and he created some cartoons.  My grandson Matthew put them on something called Cafe Press.  We told the boys they could keep whatever money they made.  A little fun money at their age will be much better used than what Margaret and I would do with it.  It think they’ve made about $100 so good for them.

Thanks for stopping by everyone.  I mean it.  Really.

206 Comments

Posted in Texas | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: Helen Philpot | October 30, 2008

If You Are Undecided, You’re Not Paying Attention

(Seven Posts in Seven Days – Day 3)

Cecilia left this comment on my blog:

hi
I just recently discovered your blog & visit daily. I am so undecided about this election…I read what your saying & I totally agree with you, but then I speak to someone on the right & then I agree with them. I am having such a hard time with this election…
I cant seem to find anything to help make up my mind. Can anyone help?
Thanks!

Oh Cecilia, bless your heart.  We have only been at this for two years, sweetheart.  There were over 40 debates during the primaries and most recently we have had three Presidential debates and one Vice Presidential debate.  Honey, I trust you can read.  Please do because this is important.  And I am not trying to be mean or dismissive.  It really is that important and you need to read about this stuff and believe me there are piles of stuff out there.

But… if you are not going to read anything else, I hope you’ll chew on this:

Let’s start with John McCain.  Picking Sarah Palin was John McCain’s first big decision after winning the nomination.  In an earlier interview McCain said he didn’t know much about the economy but he would probably pick a Vice President who could help him on that.  Palin?  Really?  Palin.  She went to five colleges and finally got an undergraduate degree in journalism.  And if you have watched her interviews with journalists, you have to wonder how much of that degree sank in.  Sarah Palin – definitely not the sharpest tool in the shed.

She was mayor of Wasilla – a city population of 7,000.  Then off to the governor’s mansion in a state with a population of 700,000.  Honestly, there are more beavers in Alaska than people. But this is the person who is going to explain the complexities of one of the largest economies on the globe to John McCain.  I’m pretty sure they don’t have enough fingers and toes between them to count that high.  (By the way, I say one of the largest economies because under George W. Bush’s Confederacy of Dunces the European Union flew past us.)

Now let’s talk about taxes.  John McCain is working overtime to scare the hell out of all the Joe the Fill-in-the-Blank’s out there.  He’s trying to fool them into thinking that they actually make enough money to be worried.  That is the biggest joke the Republican party has managed to play on the good people of America.  Most of us don’t even make enough money in a life-time to afford the membership into that club.  The idea of a progressive tax where the wealthy pay more in taxes than the poor is nothing new.  Not even close.  In fact 81% of economist agree with the concept… and here is a real eye opener – until he crapped his pants about losing this election John McCain supported the concept as well.  Trust me, that dog don’t hunt. He will say anything to win at this point.   De-regulation of banks?  He was for it, but now is against it.    He was for privatization of social security and now he is against it.  He was for the estate tax and now he is against it.  He used to have a spine and now he doesn’t. 

If I hear that McCain is a Maverick one more time I just might throw myself to the floor and break a hip.  A maverick is an independent individual who doesn’t go along with a group or party.  If John McCain’s a maverick I am one of those cheerleaders on the sidelines of Harold’s beloved Dallas Cowboys.  Nobody seems to dispute that the Republican party led by George W. Bush got us into this mess but what everybody seems to forget is that Sarah Palin and John McCain are Republicans.  Look, when the Religious Right came knocking at the door of the RNC Membership Round-Up, someone should have turned out the porch lights and told everyone inside to be quiet until they went away… the same thing I do when those nice looking boys on bicycles with bibles come to my door.  But the Republicans opened that door, invited them in and now they have to live with that decision.

Cecilia, when was the last time a politician brought a tear to your eye… moved you deep in your soul?  Honestly when was the last time you really felt that Americans could do anything if we put our hearts and minds to it?  I am an old lady.  Most of my life politicians have moved me.  Most of my life I have felt that Americans can do anything if we put our hearts and minds to it.  It’s been 8 long years.  I had almost forgotten what that felt like.  Thank you Barack Obama.  Thank you. 

If you are undecided – and I am at a complete loss for how you could be – please consider the following:

Which party has been screaming terrorist, socialist, Marxist, murder him and kill him… and which party has been talking about hope and unity.

Which party has been throwing everything but the kitchen sink at you everyday for the past two weeks hoping to scare you into thinking that there is an Un-American part of the country… and which party has been sayng that there is no red America and no blue America but only the United States of America.

Which party thinks war is the answer to everything… and which party has suggested that maybe we need to sit down and talk this out to see if peace is possible.

Which Presidential candidate just gave a speech accusing Barack Obama of delaying the World Series game.  I mean of all things.  In fact, that is a lie.  But my god, that is the McCain talking point for the day?   That’s a small thing I know, but when Harold hears something on TV about sports, that’s a big thing in our house.  So he checked.  It was a lie.  But McCain is counting on you to not check to see if he was telling the truth.  He is counting on Americans to be fat and lazy.  And as silly and ridiculous as that little lie is… what more do you need?  He will lie to you to get your vote. 

So tell me again why you are undecided?

Oh yes I forgot.  The terrorists are going to get us.  

Folks, I’m tired of living in fear.  Life is too short.  How about we try hope and optimism again and see how that works.  It created the greatest nation in history and the world is better for it.

Thanks for stopping by everyone.  If I find out that you didn’t take the time to vote, I will ask Matthew to ban you from this web page blog.  I mean it.  Really.

478 Comments

Posted in Texas | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: Helen Philpot | October 29, 2008

Is there a draft in here?

(Seven Posts in Seven Days – Day 2)

I cannot believe this is even close.  How did America get so far off track that a week out from this election many still think it is too close to call?

It was either a few years ago or a few months ago… at my age it all blends together.  But I remember it was all over the news and on the cover of all the magazines.  One of those new “starlets”… Paris or Brittney or Lindsey or Chutney or something like that – one of those starlets got caught getting out of a car without her under garments.  That’s right.  Photographers all around and her hoo-ha was out there for everyone and God to see because she forgot to put on a pair of panties.

I know you all know what I am talking about.  It was all over the news.  Scandalous they said.  Out of control.  She needs help.  What is the world coming to?  EVERYONE was shocked and EVERYONE was talking about it.  How could she?  What kind of a role model is she for young girls?  I know you all remember it.  If my scattered brain can remember it, I know you can.   People didn’t have to be told how the cow ate the cabbage on that one.  We all knew it instinctively.

Well imagine my shock and surprise today when I came across this little item.  The latest polls show that only 55% of Americans think that Sarah Palin is not qualified to be President.   55%!   FIFTY FIVE PERCENT!  This about the woman whose best qualification for the job to date is that she can see Russia from her house.  So what exactly does Sarah Palin have to do before the other 45% of this country is shocked enough to realize that she is a “whack job”?  Please Lord don’t tell me she has to show her hoo-ha in public.

If, in fact, you are reading this blog and think that Sarah Palin is actually qualified to run the country… well I suggest you check and see if your panties are on because the joke just may be on you.

And as far as McCain goes. Panties or no panties, he’s got to be questioning what he has unleashed on the Republican party. That whack job isn’t going anywhere and the closer we get to election day who knows what she will try. So hang on to your panties everyone. There might be a few skid marks before this is all over.

Harold and I voted early and we voted for Obama.  Margaret hasn’t voted yet.  She is reading these comments and talking to me every night.  If I had to guess today what she will do,  I would say that on election day she is going to put her big girl panties on and tell the whack job to go to hell.  See, Margaret loves animals and the whole shooting wolves from the air thing has her really upset. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Get out and vote.  I mean it.

247 Comments

Posted in Texas | Tags:

Posted by: Helen Philpot | October 28, 2008

What was I thinking when I called Sarah Palin a bitch?

(Seven Posts in Seven Days – Day 1)

I am surprised that some of you are up in arms about my calling Sarah Palin a bitch, or John McCain an ass or even George Bush a jackass.   I read your comments about how I should be more respectable and not call Sarah Palin a bitch.  Some of you are actually praying for me because I called John McCain an ass.  In particular I am struck by the comments that suggest the problem with our country is that we can’t have an intelligent conversation to solve our problems without resorting to name calling like when I called George Bush a jackass.

Well this old broad is hurt.  Clearly I didn’t start this blog to call Sarah Palin a bitch…or John McCain an ass… or even George Bush a jackass.  I am so sorry if I have offended any of you.  What was I thinking when I called Sarah Palin a bitch?

New rules:

I will stop calling George Bush a jackass when he stops calling me a terrorist: Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.

I will stop calling John McCain an ass when he stops calling Barack Obama a socialist at every dog and pony show on the Straight Talk Express tour.

I will stop calling Sarah Palin a bitch when she stops calling Obama a terrorist sympathizer.  And I will stop calling Sarah Palin a bitch when she stops calling the parts of the country where I don’t live more Pro-American than the part of the country where I do live.    And I will definitely stop calling Sarah Palin a bitch when she stops acting like a bitch.

I’m old enough to remember the Republican party of Barry Goldwater – when the party stood for fiscal responsibility, small government and personal freedoms.  I remember when I could talk with friends about politics and just agree to disagree.  And then religious nut cases decided that if you didn’t agree with them you were immoral.  So they went and elected George Bush President so he could take the Republican Party from being a party full of respectable people to a party filled with asses, jackasses and yes – bitches like Sarah Palin.

I am tired of Rush Limbaugh suggesting that feminism is a dirty word.  How hard did he fight to gain the right to vote?  Or own property in his own name?  Or get equal pay for equal work? 

And I am tired of Sean Hannity suggesting I am un-American because I don’t think that war is the answer to everything.  How many bullets has he taken defending his country in battle? 

And I am tired that Sarah Palin can decide what she wants to do with her body but other women can’t make that decision for themselves.

NEW, New Rules:

If you are not for me, you are against me.  I’ll get over it.  Now kindly return the favor.

Oh…and one last thing. Elisabeth Hasselbeck is still a moron.  There is just no way around that, Folks.

Thanks for stopping by everyone.  I am doing fine.  Thanks for asking.  I mean it

697 Comments

Posted in Texas | Tags: , , , , ,

Posted by: Helen Philpot | October 27, 2008

Elisabeth is a moron and then I have something important to say

So Elisabeth Hasselbeck is not my favorite person.  I would call her a bitch but that word is too good for her.  She is such a moron.  Pretty much everybody with more than a pre-school education realizes that the war in Iraq was a mistake.  I mean if you ask Hasselbeck’s daughter what she thinks of the war in Iraq she probably would say something along the lines of a mistake by the Bush administration of monumental proportions which my generation will be paying for years from now.  But she is only three so “monumental proportions” might be a mouthful.  Now ask her mother that same question and you get some rant about how the terrorists are going to get us if we don’t get them first.  I guess you’ve got to keep those pro-war fans happy so The View keeps its ratings up even if a few soldiers are dying needlessly. 

It must be hard to be both pro-war and pro-life at the same time and still look so perky that early in the morning.  It’s as if she doesn’t lose a wink of sleep over it.  What a brave little soldier she is.    You know I just wish the hell that Whoopi, Joy, that other one, or even Barbara would just haul off and whack her upside the head.  I mean if The View were an island, those women surely would have  voted Hasselbeck off by now.  So tell us Elisabeth, just how many rats does one eat for fame before they ask themselves if it’s worth it? 

And that brings me to something of real importance.  Now stay with with me here for just a minute because it will seem trivial at first.   This weekend Elisabeth introduced Miss Alaska to a crowd of pro-America Americans down in Florida and both women took time to whine about the attention the press has been giving to the $150,000 wardrobe.  “These clothes, they are not my property,” cried Palin.

OK.  I get it.  All the world is looking at you right now and you need to look your best.  It’s unfortunate but true that many in America do judge a book by its cover so things like a $150,000 makeover can actually be justified in my book.  Had you given your speech in one of your hunting outfits we would have surely laughed you  all the way back to the Wasilla Moose Lodge  from whence you came.  But the problem, Governor Palin, is that you ate the rat.  And I am not talking about the clothes. 

Your first big policy speech was all about support for families of special needs children but as Governor when you had that chance you actually decreased support for those same children.

Lately you have been screaming about that socialist Obama and his tax and spend, tax and spend, tax and spend (repeat until audience members scream “kill him” or the moose come home)…  And yet while you were Mayor of Wasilla government spending went up and so did the sales tax.  Hmmm.   Maybe you should have a heart to heart with Joe the Plumber.

You claimed to have sold that jet on Ebay when, in fact, that jet didn’t actually sell on Ebay.  But hey.  I get it.  It sounds good in a speech.

I’m not sure, but I bet if I did enough research I’d come across some PTA minutes where you championed abstinence only sex education at your children’s school.  Ouch.  That has to hurt in hindsight.

You claim that as Governor of Alaska you told Congress “no thanks” to that bridge to nowhere, but  Congress had already said never mind to that bridge before you were elected governor.  Again, it really did sound great in the speech though so I understand.

But here is what I don’t understand.  As Mayor of Wasilla you thought it appropriate to charge rape victims for the rape kit used to collect evidence needed to convict the rapist. What in God’s name were you thinking? I mean that is a huge rat to have eaten all at once.   But I shouldn’t be surprised really, considering you also think a child raped by her father should be forced to carry the pregnancy to term.

You see, Governor Palin, you might finally be dressing like a Republican politician, but you’ve been acting like one for years. 

I guess I really should have written something about the top of the ticket.  After all we are not electing Sarah Palin to become President.   She is just the runner up.  Of course if something should happen to the winner that would prevent him from fulfilling his duties… well there is a thought to keep you up at night.  So here is what I decided to write about the top of the ticket:

John McCain is an ass of monumental proportions.

Thanks for stopping by everyone.  Margaret and I appreciate it.  Really.

169 Comments

Posted in Texas | Tags: , ,

Posted by: Helen Philpot | October 24, 2008

But then I met Sarah Palin…

Today I got this email:

Dear Helen,
I found your blog today thanks to a friend. I need your help!  My grandparents (both in their 80’s) ripped up their ballots this week when they received them in the mail. (We’re in a state where we mail in our ballots) They generally vote democratic but evidently didn’t want to vote for an African American. I’m embarrassed that they are so racist! Is there anything I can tell them to convince them that they need to vote (for Barack)? Should I bother or maybe it’s a lost cause? I thought maybe since you are of their generation, you could help me.

Thank you,
Jennifer

Well Jennifer, my first instinct was to tell them to pull their heads out of their asses and start living in the 21st century.  Life is too short to be hanging on to stuff we learned when we were young and didn’t know any better.   But I remember those days.  We didn’t know any better and some of us cling to yesterday out of fear and ignorance.

So, as an old lady who has been around the block of few times, here is what I think: Sometimes elections can be about great things… about changing the world. Think Lincoln.  Think FDR.   I started out in this election supporting Hillary Clinton because I believed our country needed a women’s point of view in the Oval Office.  I truly believe that women approach education, war, healthcare, the environment, poverty, etc. differently.  Of course then I met Sarah Palin and realized that some women are just bitches who only want to change their wardrobe and your religious freedoms.

So tell your grandparents this instead:  Imagine what the world looks like on November 5th if America elects Barack Obama for President. We will have finally closed a chapter on American politics and moved into the 21st Century realizing that hatred, fear and bigotry is a waste of time and energy – both precious commodities of limited quantity. What respect we would get from around the globe.  Why wouldn’t your grandparents want to be a part of such a historic moment?  Why wouldn’t any of us want to be part of this historic moment – a moment when we profoundly change the world for the better?

But remember we grew up in a different time.  We grew up during a time when this country didn’t understand the depths of its hatred.  Don’t blame them.  They don’t know any better.  It is a part of who they are.  But if they ignore you, you have my permission to do what I do when Harold doesn’t listen to me.  Put laxatives in their pudding.

Thanks for stopping by Jennifer.  I mean it.  Really.

168 Comments

Posted in Texas | Tags: ,

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories