Samantha Pierce

I know it's not Thursday but still, today I am thankful for/that: Enough food to eat. The clothes on my back. The freedom to speak my mind. Those who stand to protect me and my family from those who would do us harm. Wisdom. Laughter. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: A cool breeze. A good night's sleep (when I can get it). Baby Girl is a year old already. She's already said "no" and escaped the house on many occasions. Trying to break big brother's record I suppose. General good health. Friends who have pools and are happy to share them. Yarn! I should be in YA: Yarn-ophiles Anonymous. The chorus of crickets in the night time. What are you thankful for?

I'm a bit late to this party but my first response upon hearing that the powers that be in the White House finally got a clue and closed up shop on their fishing for "fishy" information my first thought was simply, good. My second thought was, didn't anyone on the President's staff see what a bad idea the whole thing was in the first place? As aggravated as the American people are why would anyone think it a good idea to ask them to inform on each other to the White House? The terms tin ear and tone deaf are coming to my mind as I contemplate the whole thing. For the moment the White House seems to have gotten off lightly. Commenting on the first post I wrote about President Obama's attempts to utilize the internet to interface with citizens I said, "As far as the Obama admin. utilizing web tech now I think they're setting themselves up to be mauled by the tiger they're trying to ride when they try stunts like this." Flag@whitehouse.gov wi...

My fellow Syracuseans, as you may have noticed lawns in our neighbourhoods have been sprouting campaign signs like a rotting log sprouts mushrooms. We get to pick a new mayor this November. Primaries are September 15, 2009. So far Alfonso Davis (D), Carmen Harlow (D), Otis Jennings (R), Steve Kimatian (R), Stephanie Miner (D), and Joe Nicoletti (D) have thrown their hats into the ring. If you've decided already who's your candidate and why? In race for Syracuse mayor, money takes sides For the Democratic front-runners, two questions to address

Since the President wants us to keep an eye out for any "fishy" misinformation about health care reform I thought I'd point out this bit of misinformation floating around. Time and again it has been said that those who oppose the current push health care reform don't want to do anything to reform health care. Now there is nuanced distinction that needs to made here in order to counteract this articular piece of misinformation in the health care reform debate. We're not opposed to health care reform. We are opposed this . 111TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 3200 To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JULY 14, 2009 Mr. DINGELL (for himself, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. STARK, Mr. PALLONE, and Mr. ANDREWS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to t...

The White House wants to know what the American people think about health care reform so I told them. This is of course only my opinion. Feel free to share yours at flag@whitehouse.gov or go to www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/ . Dear Mr. President and White House Staffers, Please make the entirety of all the bills being considered for health care reform available with out restriction on the internet. Provide for the American people the names of those who wrote those bills. We want to know the reasoning behind the various clauses in those bills. Please provide us detailed analysis of how each clause would be implemented if made into law. Please explain in exquisite mind numbing detail how these proposed reforms will be paid for. As you may have noticed you have the full attention of the American people now. We are more than eager to know the intentions of our government. Assurances that all will be well are insufficient. Anecdotes and hypothetical scenarios are insufficient. Complaining...

Today I am thankful for/that: Another yummy meal courtesy of the garden. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. One more birthday. A safe place to shelter from the storm (literally and figuratively). The opportunity to be the answer to someone else's prayers. What are you thankful for?

Perhaps some on the side of the current administration are starting to get the message that claiming that those who disagree with them on health care insurance reform are political hacks and industry shills makes them look desperate. Perhaps some of them are even beginning to realize that their dismissive reactions thus far have just aggravated their opponents even more. I found the reports of Pelosi and Hoyer's opinion piece in USA Today absolutely hilarious. 'Un-American' attacks can't derail health care . And to think I was actually starting to believe those who said for eight years that dissent was the highest form of patriotism. Silly me! Now when I was in grade school a debate required at least two differing view points. Back then a debate involved trying to persuade your opponents to your way of thinking with well reasoned arguments. Arguments such as, try it you'll like it or just trust me or sit down and shut up didn't really fly then. Back in the day ...

From this I draw the conclusion that the Pres is okay with the debate when people side with him but not so much when they disagree. That's human and to be expected I suppose. But using the power and authority of the White House to try to intimidate your opposition, the very people you are supposed to serve, into submission to your will is a bit much don't you think? Thanks to the Wizbang gang for posting this so I didn't have to go digging for it myself.

Today I am thankful for/that: Nap time. There is nothing so soothing as the sound of small children sleeping during the day. Summer sunshine and flowers. The freedom to speak my mind. The freedom of those who disagree with me to speak their minds. Euna Lee and Laura Ling are home safe with their families. What are you thankful for?

Part of me wanders if this is how the Stasi got started. White House's Call for 'Informants' Draws Conservatives' Ire Conservative bloggers and opinion leaders Tuesday expressed outrage over the White House's call for informants to notify it of "disinformation" regarding the health care debate. From the White House Web site : "There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end-of-life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain e-mails or through casual conversation. Since we can't keep track of all of them here at the White House, we're asking for your help. If you get an e-mail or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov." Then the rest of me remembers that this is America, land of the free and home of the brave. We can be a belligerent bunch of loud mouths when the spirit moves...