To watch the videos go to http://theresachaze.blogspot.com/
Showing posts with label 2008 elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 elections. Show all posts
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Politicizing the Financial Crisis: McCain Self Serving Gamble
Politicizing the Financial Crisis
Both parties are using this national crisis to further their own agendas. Instead of focusing on the good of the country, they have used this emergency to beat up each other up. Early Thursday afternoon, there was basic agreement reached until McCain arrived and the political games began. Within a couple of hours, the bi-partisan spirit had evaporated.
Greed and stupidity created the credit crisis. Financial companies who became top heavy with exorbitant salaries and bonus for the management was the fuse. The deceptive loan practices combined with loans made in bad faith by both parties were the match. However, it was the gluttony of the oil companies who were the explosive. The domino effect of the rapidly rising gas prices destabilized the economy, increasing the cost of living and forcing businesses to cut back on payroll. While jobs were lost or down sized, people were paying more just too simply exist. The cost of living increases combined with the escalating interest rates were more than some households could withstand. Solvent households began to dissolve under the financial pressure, which in turned destabilized the already fragile balance of the financial system. The undermining of the financial institutions has had a cascading effect on the whole economy. Although governmental intervention is not the preferred route, it is the only one left at this point in time that will act as stopgap to the collapse of the country’s financial structure.
McCain suspending his campaign to jump on his white horse to rush to save the economy look more like a fool riding a hobbyhorse instead of knight in shining armor. Both Obama and McCain are only two senators out of a hundred. Neither of them were serving on any financial or banking committee; therefore, they didn’t need to have their boots on the ground for an agreement to be hammered out. On September 19, a bailout agreement had been written; there were still issues to be worked out. However, at a press conference at 1:41 pm eastern on September 25, a bi-partisan press released announced that an agreement had been reached. Yet it was soon after McCain’s arrival that Republicans suddenly withdrew their support. Without a doubt, McCain used his influence within his party to squash the agreement in order to further his own political agenda. It was quite clear McCain and his comrades wanted to bolster his falling numbers by attaching his name to the bailout. Who knows what was said behind Republican closed doors that made the agreeing member change their minds. The end results revealed that they cared more about partisan politics than effectively dealing with the issue at hand.
If politics and partisanships were replaced by common sense and good business, the solutions would be simple. By addressing the core issues appropriate measures could be taken.
The issues:
1. Rising gas prices have increased the cost of living and eliminated jobs.
2. Rising interest rates from flexible loans have caused people to default on their mortgages.
3. Excessive salaries and bonuses for loan executives as well as for those in oil companies and the oil speculation have caused harm to the companies involved as well as country’s economic health.
4. The defaulting mortgages have caused the financial institutions to become unstable.
Solutions:
An immediate cure for the energy crisis won’t happen over night. However, a great deal of the price increases are based on oil speculation. If a mandate was set that purchaser had to accept delivery of the oil within 30 days of purchase, the speculator would be forced to rethink their investment. It would not be a permanent solution, but it would make the price of gas drop.
The bailout would have to not only shore up the economy from the business end, but help the consumer as well.
1. Flexible mortgage rates would be immediately lowered back to the initial rate and permanently fixed with credit given for any monies paid in interest at the higher rate to be immediately taken off the loan.
2. Those in foreclosure should be given the opportunity to refinance at the original rate and start fresh.
3. All bonuses paid to the management of the loan companies for the past 12 months need to be immediately be repaid. If their company is failing they weren’t doing their job and don’t deserve to be rewarded. If they can’t write a check, then assets and property need to be seized.
4. No golden parachutes for anyone in the failing companies. Their actions have caused people to loose their homes; it is only right that the favor be returned.
5. There should be extreme oversight to how the people’s money is spent. If an administrator uses a tissue to blow her or his nose, there needs to be a full explanation in triplicate to how many tissues were used and why.
6. The bailout is a loan not a gift. Stockholders accepted profits that their company didn’t have the financial stability to give. Until the company has paid back the taxpayers in full, no dividends will be given.
7. Executives will no longer be paid exorbitant salaries or benefits. In businesses in other countries, CEO’s are paid 20% more than the person who takes out the trash. There are no expense accounts or special treatments for sitting behind a desk.
8. Each company will be assigned nine executors. There needs to be a 2/3 major in order for an expenditure to be approved.
7. There needs be a public accounting of all business activity every month. Every expenditure and the reason for it needs to be released to the media for prime time release. Shuffling the information out in the late Friday afternoon dump will not be acceptable.
9. All restrictions will remain effective until the loan has been repaid and the company has once again become solvent on its own.
Uncomplicated and practical, these simply stated restrictions will not only stabilize the economy but also rebuild the financial base of the country.
Both parties are using this national crisis to further their own agendas. Instead of focusing on the good of the country, they have used this emergency to beat up each other up. Early Thursday afternoon, there was basic agreement reached until McCain arrived and the political games began. Within a couple of hours, the bi-partisan spirit had evaporated.
Greed and stupidity created the credit crisis. Financial companies who became top heavy with exorbitant salaries and bonus for the management was the fuse. The deceptive loan practices combined with loans made in bad faith by both parties were the match. However, it was the gluttony of the oil companies who were the explosive. The domino effect of the rapidly rising gas prices destabilized the economy, increasing the cost of living and forcing businesses to cut back on payroll. While jobs were lost or down sized, people were paying more just too simply exist. The cost of living increases combined with the escalating interest rates were more than some households could withstand. Solvent households began to dissolve under the financial pressure, which in turned destabilized the already fragile balance of the financial system. The undermining of the financial institutions has had a cascading effect on the whole economy. Although governmental intervention is not the preferred route, it is the only one left at this point in time that will act as stopgap to the collapse of the country’s financial structure.
McCain suspending his campaign to jump on his white horse to rush to save the economy look more like a fool riding a hobbyhorse instead of knight in shining armor. Both Obama and McCain are only two senators out of a hundred. Neither of them were serving on any financial or banking committee; therefore, they didn’t need to have their boots on the ground for an agreement to be hammered out. On September 19, a bailout agreement had been written; there were still issues to be worked out. However, at a press conference at 1:41 pm eastern on September 25, a bi-partisan press released announced that an agreement had been reached. Yet it was soon after McCain’s arrival that Republicans suddenly withdrew their support. Without a doubt, McCain used his influence within his party to squash the agreement in order to further his own political agenda. It was quite clear McCain and his comrades wanted to bolster his falling numbers by attaching his name to the bailout. Who knows what was said behind Republican closed doors that made the agreeing member change their minds. The end results revealed that they cared more about partisan politics than effectively dealing with the issue at hand.
If politics and partisanships were replaced by common sense and good business, the solutions would be simple. By addressing the core issues appropriate measures could be taken.
The issues:
1. Rising gas prices have increased the cost of living and eliminated jobs.
2. Rising interest rates from flexible loans have caused people to default on their mortgages.
3. Excessive salaries and bonuses for loan executives as well as for those in oil companies and the oil speculation have caused harm to the companies involved as well as country’s economic health.
4. The defaulting mortgages have caused the financial institutions to become unstable.
Solutions:
An immediate cure for the energy crisis won’t happen over night. However, a great deal of the price increases are based on oil speculation. If a mandate was set that purchaser had to accept delivery of the oil within 30 days of purchase, the speculator would be forced to rethink their investment. It would not be a permanent solution, but it would make the price of gas drop.
The bailout would have to not only shore up the economy from the business end, but help the consumer as well.
1. Flexible mortgage rates would be immediately lowered back to the initial rate and permanently fixed with credit given for any monies paid in interest at the higher rate to be immediately taken off the loan.
2. Those in foreclosure should be given the opportunity to refinance at the original rate and start fresh.
3. All bonuses paid to the management of the loan companies for the past 12 months need to be immediately be repaid. If their company is failing they weren’t doing their job and don’t deserve to be rewarded. If they can’t write a check, then assets and property need to be seized.
4. No golden parachutes for anyone in the failing companies. Their actions have caused people to loose their homes; it is only right that the favor be returned.
5. There should be extreme oversight to how the people’s money is spent. If an administrator uses a tissue to blow her or his nose, there needs to be a full explanation in triplicate to how many tissues were used and why.
6. The bailout is a loan not a gift. Stockholders accepted profits that their company didn’t have the financial stability to give. Until the company has paid back the taxpayers in full, no dividends will be given.
7. Executives will no longer be paid exorbitant salaries or benefits. In businesses in other countries, CEO’s are paid 20% more than the person who takes out the trash. There are no expense accounts or special treatments for sitting behind a desk.
8. Each company will be assigned nine executors. There needs to be a 2/3 major in order for an expenditure to be approved.
7. There needs be a public accounting of all business activity every month. Every expenditure and the reason for it needs to be released to the media for prime time release. Shuffling the information out in the late Friday afternoon dump will not be acceptable.
9. All restrictions will remain effective until the loan has been repaid and the company has once again become solvent on its own.
Uncomplicated and practical, these simply stated restrictions will not only stabilize the economy but also rebuild the financial base of the country.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Police Abuse: Video Interview with One of the People Detained During RNC Raids
Interview with one of the people arrested
http://tcsidewalks.blogspot.com/2008/08/ramsey-co-sheriff-bob-fletchers-makes.html
Amy Goodman Arrested
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
http://tcsidewalks.blogspot.com/2008/08/ramsey-co-sheriff-bob-fletchers-makes.html
Amy Goodman Arrested
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Delegates yet to Vote: The 2008 Presidential Election not Preordained
The Delegates yet to Vote: The 2008 Presidential Election not Preordained
For months, the political pundits, the candidates, and the media have all been declaring that the elections are a done deal. The conventions are still weeks off. The election is months in the future; yet each side is claiming victory. However, there has yet to be one ballot to be cast, one vote to be counted in either on the convention floors or in the ballot boxes. Both McCain and Obama are the presumptive candidate nothing more. Nothing has been written in stone for either party nor will it be until after the conventions. The delegates are not required to vote for any one candidate, but have the ability to change their minds and their vote.
There is so much more information available about McCain and Obama not only through the vetting process, but also through their words and deeds, which calls into, question their motives for wanting to be President as well as their ability to lead. Neither man has been forthright. McCain courts the women voters, while time and again voting against bills that support women’s issues, needs and civil rights. Obama claims to be the candidate of change, yet every time the tide started to turn against him, he opened the good old boys club’s bag of dirty tricks and made full use of them--creating just more of dirty politics as usual. So much for change.
McCain’s comments today only reinforce this belief that we can keep indiscriminately flying like hawks around the world while our nest is crumbling. His economic, social and political policies are out of date, out of touch with reality and out only to benefit the oil companies. Drilling off shore and in protected nature zones only benefit the oil companies by increasing their already record-breaking profits. Alternative energy is not only viable but also available, yet it is being kept from used by obsolete zoning regulations and misleading information. The Pickens Plan is only a good start to new energy sources that are not only efficient and cost effective, but also totally renewable. However, by giving individuals energy freedom, it would shift the power away from the large corporations and put it back in the hands of the people. Socially, he is just one of the good old boys who support white men knowing what is best for the rest of us poor dumb slobs. From Pro-life votes to Immigration reform, McCain voted for the best interest of big business without even a vague thought for what is good for the people of the United States.
Obama was the first to use race when he subtlety threatened the Super Delegates, declaring there would be riots in the streets if the Super Delegates ignored the will of the people and took the vote away from him. Clinton narrowly won the popular vote and it was Obama campaign who usurped the will of the people. In addition, he was part of the whole system that devalued the voters of Michigan and Florida into less than slaves. Slaves were considered 3/5 of a person, while the voters in both states became half persons. Since Clinton conceded, he as chuckled and said just kidding; you all can cast your full vote for me in August. Gee, mighty white of you Bubba. In addition, in those states where he polled badly, he gave them as much attention during the primary campaign as Bush did as he flew over New Orleans. Instead, he focused his attention on bolstering his lead in states where he was already popular. After all small town voters are just hicks are too attached to our religions and guns to know the way of the world. He might be a big rock singer with golden fingers whose loved every where he goes, but he doesn’t know jack about what women want and need or the small town voters who are the backbone of this country.
Both Obama and McCain are more flash than substance. Neither of them have realistic or substantive plans to help the country climb out of the deep hole Bush shoved us into. If you voted for one or the other and now regret your choice, contact your delegates and persuade them to change their vote at the convention. If you are a delegate, know that you are not legally bound to vote any other way than your conscious. Just because a candidate suspended their campaign, it doesn’t mean they are out of the race. They can still be nominated and voted for at the convention. If you haven’t been liking what you are seeing or hearing, speak up to not only your party but also those who represent you at the convention. Let your voice be heard, even if you have to write in your candidate of choice.
Technorati Tags:
2008 Presidental election, Clinton, Obama, feminism, Feminized Values, guest blogger, politics, Democrats, real clear politics, cnn politics, American Politics, real politics, women in politics, hilary clinton campaign, hilary rodham clinton, hilary clinton for president, barack obama, obama girl, facts about barack obama, obama for president, Theresa Chaze, Katherine Adam, Charles Derber, democratic candidates for 2008 elections, republican elections 2008 whos running for president, 2008 us democratic party elections results, feminism, modern feminism, liberal feminism, definition of feminism, politics of feminism, the view politics feminism, Michigan Voters, Theresa Chaze, uppity women, gender bias, gender bigotry, democratic convention, republican convention, McCain, delegates, voting,
For months, the political pundits, the candidates, and the media have all been declaring that the elections are a done deal. The conventions are still weeks off. The election is months in the future; yet each side is claiming victory. However, there has yet to be one ballot to be cast, one vote to be counted in either on the convention floors or in the ballot boxes. Both McCain and Obama are the presumptive candidate nothing more. Nothing has been written in stone for either party nor will it be until after the conventions. The delegates are not required to vote for any one candidate, but have the ability to change their minds and their vote.
There is so much more information available about McCain and Obama not only through the vetting process, but also through their words and deeds, which calls into, question their motives for wanting to be President as well as their ability to lead. Neither man has been forthright. McCain courts the women voters, while time and again voting against bills that support women’s issues, needs and civil rights. Obama claims to be the candidate of change, yet every time the tide started to turn against him, he opened the good old boys club’s bag of dirty tricks and made full use of them--creating just more of dirty politics as usual. So much for change.
McCain’s comments today only reinforce this belief that we can keep indiscriminately flying like hawks around the world while our nest is crumbling. His economic, social and political policies are out of date, out of touch with reality and out only to benefit the oil companies. Drilling off shore and in protected nature zones only benefit the oil companies by increasing their already record-breaking profits. Alternative energy is not only viable but also available, yet it is being kept from used by obsolete zoning regulations and misleading information. The Pickens Plan is only a good start to new energy sources that are not only efficient and cost effective, but also totally renewable. However, by giving individuals energy freedom, it would shift the power away from the large corporations and put it back in the hands of the people. Socially, he is just one of the good old boys who support white men knowing what is best for the rest of us poor dumb slobs. From Pro-life votes to Immigration reform, McCain voted for the best interest of big business without even a vague thought for what is good for the people of the United States.
Obama was the first to use race when he subtlety threatened the Super Delegates, declaring there would be riots in the streets if the Super Delegates ignored the will of the people and took the vote away from him. Clinton narrowly won the popular vote and it was Obama campaign who usurped the will of the people. In addition, he was part of the whole system that devalued the voters of Michigan and Florida into less than slaves. Slaves were considered 3/5 of a person, while the voters in both states became half persons. Since Clinton conceded, he as chuckled and said just kidding; you all can cast your full vote for me in August. Gee, mighty white of you Bubba. In addition, in those states where he polled badly, he gave them as much attention during the primary campaign as Bush did as he flew over New Orleans. Instead, he focused his attention on bolstering his lead in states where he was already popular. After all small town voters are just hicks are too attached to our religions and guns to know the way of the world. He might be a big rock singer with golden fingers whose loved every where he goes, but he doesn’t know jack about what women want and need or the small town voters who are the backbone of this country.
Both Obama and McCain are more flash than substance. Neither of them have realistic or substantive plans to help the country climb out of the deep hole Bush shoved us into. If you voted for one or the other and now regret your choice, contact your delegates and persuade them to change their vote at the convention. If you are a delegate, know that you are not legally bound to vote any other way than your conscious. Just because a candidate suspended their campaign, it doesn’t mean they are out of the race. They can still be nominated and voted for at the convention. If you haven’t been liking what you are seeing or hearing, speak up to not only your party but also those who represent you at the convention. Let your voice be heard, even if you have to write in your candidate of choice.
Technorati Tags:
2008 Presidental election, Clinton, Obama, feminism, Feminized Values, guest blogger, politics, Democrats, real clear politics, cnn politics, American Politics, real politics, women in politics, hilary clinton campaign, hilary rodham clinton, hilary clinton for president, barack obama, obama girl, facts about barack obama, obama for president, Theresa Chaze, Katherine Adam, Charles Derber, democratic candidates for 2008 elections, republican elections 2008 whos running for president, 2008 us democratic party elections results, feminism, modern feminism, liberal feminism, definition of feminism, politics of feminism, the view politics feminism, Michigan Voters, Theresa Chaze, uppity women, gender bias, gender bigotry, democratic convention, republican convention, McCain, delegates, voting,
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Women-Are You Willing to Wait Another 50 Years
To watch the video click here
In 1870 15th Amendment to the Constitution granted voting rights to African American males only. Women didn't get the right to make a difference until August 26, 1920 with the 19th Amendment. It took all women another fifty years for woman to achieve full citizenship under the constitution
Technorati Tags:
Youtube, women's issues, election 2008, Presidental election, republican, democrat, making the votes count, women voters, write in Clinton, Elizabeth Kubler Ross, Maya Lin, Wilm Mankiller, Mother Theresa, Pearl Bailey, Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Sanger, Gloria Steinem, Ema Tnayuca, Yoshiko Vchida, Barbara Jordan, Margaret Chaze Smith, Betty Friedan, Hilary Clinton, Princess Diana, Susan B Anthony, Ella Barton, Shirley Temple Black, Pearl S Buck, Chien-Shiung Wu, Agnes George de Mille, Amelia Earhart, Coretta Scott King, Marian Wright Edelman, Billie Jean King, Judith E Heumann, Athea Gibson, Joan Banz Cooney, Sandra Day OConner, Sally K Ride, Oprah Winfrey, Florence Grifith Joyner, Patsy Takemoto Mink, Lleana Ros-Lehtinen, Nancy Pelosi, what women voters want, Celtic Woman,
Friday, May 30, 2008
African American Women Win Nothing With Obama
African American Women Win Nothing With Obama
Father Michael Pfleger is just the newest example of how Obama judgment should be called into question. His sexist and racist comments were not taken out of context. There is no reasonable context that would justify them; the comments were hate filled not only of women but also indiscriminately of all white people. There are good and bad--wise and ignorant people in all religions, genders, and ethic backgrounds. To paint with broad strokes only reflects badly back on the speaker and has nothing to do with the subject of the discourse. Everyone sees the world through their own personal experience; our past colors the way we see the present and the future, leaving us all to see the world subjectively and in many cases unrealistically.
When I first saw Obama at the Democratic convention, I thought he was amazing. His speech showed a wise soul who wanted to be a positive force in the world. That person started the campaign; however, it has been a long time, since I saw him. He quickly changed into just another member of the good old boys club. The day after the West Virginia elections only confirmed how much he has changed. Showing up in Michigan with John Edwards was not a coincidence. It was a planned event to upstage Clinton's big win. It was their way of putting that uppity woman back in her place. Immediately, the media and the DNC jumped on Obama's bandwagon discounting both West Virginia and Kentucky’s over whelming support for Clinton and once again demanding that she concede the nomination. They continue to claim that Obama is the nominee without considering that the voters refuse to follow their lead.
While in previous elections DNC focused on the popular vote instead of the delegates, during the nomination process they have done just the opposite. The numbers have been manipulated on both sides, but none as great as those involving the popular vote. Michigan and Florida votes have been cast aside solely because of who would benefit from them. If Obama had been the beneficiary, there simply would never have been a question of those votes being included. Nor would the DNC or the media have started calling for the Obama to step aside when there was only a 26 delegate difference as the did to Clinton. Their gender bias has revealed how little respect there is for women. If the situation had been reverse, there would have been riots in the streets with claims of racial bigotry. Yet when it comes to gender, women are expected to shut up and do what they are told. How shocked they must have been when Clinton said no and to continued to fight. How dare that uppity woman!
What confuses me even more are the African American women who are Obama’s staunch supporters as if they will actually win something if he becomes President. No matter what color skin or ethic background, all women are seen the same. In 1870 15th Amendment to the Constitution granted voting rights to African American males only. African American women like all the other women didn’t get the right to make a difference until August 26, 1920 with the 19th Amendment. It took another fifty years for woman to achieve full citizenship under the constitution. So why are African American women celebrating Obama? They will gain nothing by his winning. However, since women’s glass ceiling is lower, Clinton’s winning will smash both and African American women will win twice.
Guilt by associate is not valid measuring stick in a single case. Everyone makes mistakes in their associations. It is not the individuals that need to be focused on, but the growing list of long term close associations that promote hatred, bigotry and fear among people. Pfleger is just the newest and clearest example of Obama mindset. His mocking of Clinton exposed is racism and gender hatred. It was more than a personal attack on Clinton, but an attack on women. He degraded all women without exception. Yet you see women in the congregation cheering him on. There is no all of anything when it comes to people. Whites are no more all bigots any more than African Americans are all the negative stereotypes. Any student of history will tell you that white women were just as much property of their husbands as the slave field hands. With very few exceptions, they had not rights, no voice and whatever property they did hold going into the marriage immediately became their husbands. Just because the bird lives in a pretty cage doesn’t mean it has any freedom.
Pfleger claimed that Clinton felt entitled to the nomination because she was white and President Clinton’s wife. He totally discounted her decades of service, her education and experience. She never claimed she entitled or guaranteed anything. It was the media who claimed that she was going to be the sure winner. Never once did she try to pervert the process by declaring herself the winner--unlike Obama has already done. She has worked hard both on the campaign and with her Senatorial duties. While Obama is to busy campaigning to grace the Senate with his presence, Clinton has found a way to do both. But then again most women learned how to multi-task before there was such a word.
As an individual, I will not vote for Obama. The great man I saw and would have voted for a few years ago, no longer exists. Nor will I vote for McCain. He is equally bigoted against women. I will either write in Clinton or not vote for a President.
Technorati Tags:
2008 Presidental election, Clinton, Obama, feminism, Feminized Values, guest blogger, politics, Democrats, real clear politics, cnn politics, American Politics, real politics, women in politics, hilary clinton campaign, hilary rodham clinton, hilary clinton for president, barack obama, obama girl, facts about barack obama, obama for president, Theresa Chaze, Katherine Adam, Charles Derber, democratic candidates for 2008 elections, republican elections 2008 whos running for president, 2008 us democratic party elections results, feminism, modern feminism, liberal feminism, definition of feminism, politics of feminism, the view politics feminism, Michigan Voters, Theresa Chaze, uppity women, gender bias, gender bigotry,
Father Michael Pfleger is just the newest example of how Obama judgment should be called into question. His sexist and racist comments were not taken out of context. There is no reasonable context that would justify them; the comments were hate filled not only of women but also indiscriminately of all white people. There are good and bad--wise and ignorant people in all religions, genders, and ethic backgrounds. To paint with broad strokes only reflects badly back on the speaker and has nothing to do with the subject of the discourse. Everyone sees the world through their own personal experience; our past colors the way we see the present and the future, leaving us all to see the world subjectively and in many cases unrealistically.
When I first saw Obama at the Democratic convention, I thought he was amazing. His speech showed a wise soul who wanted to be a positive force in the world. That person started the campaign; however, it has been a long time, since I saw him. He quickly changed into just another member of the good old boys club. The day after the West Virginia elections only confirmed how much he has changed. Showing up in Michigan with John Edwards was not a coincidence. It was a planned event to upstage Clinton's big win. It was their way of putting that uppity woman back in her place. Immediately, the media and the DNC jumped on Obama's bandwagon discounting both West Virginia and Kentucky’s over whelming support for Clinton and once again demanding that she concede the nomination. They continue to claim that Obama is the nominee without considering that the voters refuse to follow their lead.
While in previous elections DNC focused on the popular vote instead of the delegates, during the nomination process they have done just the opposite. The numbers have been manipulated on both sides, but none as great as those involving the popular vote. Michigan and Florida votes have been cast aside solely because of who would benefit from them. If Obama had been the beneficiary, there simply would never have been a question of those votes being included. Nor would the DNC or the media have started calling for the Obama to step aside when there was only a 26 delegate difference as the did to Clinton. Their gender bias has revealed how little respect there is for women. If the situation had been reverse, there would have been riots in the streets with claims of racial bigotry. Yet when it comes to gender, women are expected to shut up and do what they are told. How shocked they must have been when Clinton said no and to continued to fight. How dare that uppity woman!
What confuses me even more are the African American women who are Obama’s staunch supporters as if they will actually win something if he becomes President. No matter what color skin or ethic background, all women are seen the same. In 1870 15th Amendment to the Constitution granted voting rights to African American males only. African American women like all the other women didn’t get the right to make a difference until August 26, 1920 with the 19th Amendment. It took another fifty years for woman to achieve full citizenship under the constitution. So why are African American women celebrating Obama? They will gain nothing by his winning. However, since women’s glass ceiling is lower, Clinton’s winning will smash both and African American women will win twice.
Guilt by associate is not valid measuring stick in a single case. Everyone makes mistakes in their associations. It is not the individuals that need to be focused on, but the growing list of long term close associations that promote hatred, bigotry and fear among people. Pfleger is just the newest and clearest example of Obama mindset. His mocking of Clinton exposed is racism and gender hatred. It was more than a personal attack on Clinton, but an attack on women. He degraded all women without exception. Yet you see women in the congregation cheering him on. There is no all of anything when it comes to people. Whites are no more all bigots any more than African Americans are all the negative stereotypes. Any student of history will tell you that white women were just as much property of their husbands as the slave field hands. With very few exceptions, they had not rights, no voice and whatever property they did hold going into the marriage immediately became their husbands. Just because the bird lives in a pretty cage doesn’t mean it has any freedom.
Pfleger claimed that Clinton felt entitled to the nomination because she was white and President Clinton’s wife. He totally discounted her decades of service, her education and experience. She never claimed she entitled or guaranteed anything. It was the media who claimed that she was going to be the sure winner. Never once did she try to pervert the process by declaring herself the winner--unlike Obama has already done. She has worked hard both on the campaign and with her Senatorial duties. While Obama is to busy campaigning to grace the Senate with his presence, Clinton has found a way to do both. But then again most women learned how to multi-task before there was such a word.
As an individual, I will not vote for Obama. The great man I saw and would have voted for a few years ago, no longer exists. Nor will I vote for McCain. He is equally bigoted against women. I will either write in Clinton or not vote for a President.
Technorati Tags:
2008 Presidental election, Clinton, Obama, feminism, Feminized Values, guest blogger, politics, Democrats, real clear politics, cnn politics, American Politics, real politics, women in politics, hilary clinton campaign, hilary rodham clinton, hilary clinton for president, barack obama, obama girl, facts about barack obama, obama for president, Theresa Chaze, Katherine Adam, Charles Derber, democratic candidates for 2008 elections, republican elections 2008 whos running for president, 2008 us democratic party elections results, feminism, modern feminism, liberal feminism, definition of feminism, politics of feminism, the view politics feminism, Michigan Voters, Theresa Chaze, uppity women, gender bias, gender bigotry,
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Women's Issues: Uppity Women Unite Make All the Votes Count
Once again, political pundits and ranking members of the Democratic Party are telling Senator Clinton to drop out of the Presidential race. They keep pointing to the numbers, stating that she can reach the magic number to win the nomination, while ignoring the fact that neither can Obama. According the math, neither of them will have enough votes without the Super Delegates to achieve the magic number of 2024. Currently, Clinton has won, 253½ and Obama has won, 415½; there is only 162 separation in the pledged delegate count with 566 in eleven states yet to vote. Obama’s win in the remaining states is far from a sure thing. If the situations were reversed, these same so called leaders wouldn’t be telling Obama to concede; they would be too afraid of being called a racist. Yet they feel it is perfectly reasonable to ask a woman to step aside--for the good of the party. They are shocked that this uppity woman isn't backing down.
In the last week, Obama’s comments at a California fundraiser revealed his true character.
“Our challenge is to get people persuaded that we can make progress when there’s not evidence of that in their daily lives,” he said. “You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing’s replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are going to regenerate and they have not.
“And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”
His response to criticisms has been has been typical to his past reactions. First denial, followed by a shallow explanation and sarcastic retorts attacking those who criticized him, all of which was followed by a half heart apology. In this case, it is easy to see why he discounts the rural and small town voter. Living most if not all his life in urban area, he has no concept of any other way of life. He is an urbanite who doesn’t have a clue to what it means to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. He sees the people who live in small towns as uneducated hicks who can be talked down on or around. Small towns are not made up of local yokels who consist of high school dropouts, trailer parks and small minded bigots. This is so far from the truth, that the statement only reveals Obama’s ignorance and bigotry.
Not only are we made up of a cross section of cultures and religions, but also many of the well educated people have sought refuge from the dirt, crime and over crowding of the big cities in the smaller towns. The guns that we own are for hunting, not for trophies or for drive by shootings like the big cities boys, but to provide meat for the family. Hunting is not a sport for us. We don’t clip wings or fence in game. We go out in the woods where the odds are even for both sides. All of what is killed is used. We don’t just mount the head and call ourselves big time hunters.
Unlike the corporate farms, family own farms are going green not only for energy sources but also with agriculture and the raising of livestock. Many families still have their own gardens in the summer and preserve the harvests in the fall. We don’t use artificial fertilizers in our gardens; we spread our cow and horse manure on the fields instead of serving it up at fancy fundraisers.
News flash, the internet has opened many new employment and business opportunities. Many of the top ten corporations have started telecommuting programs. It is a more cost efficient and effective way of doing business. No longer to employees have to be located in the same area as the main office to be employed. It saves energy and increases productivity. We can have the good jobs and still live in our small towns.
In many ways we are more self sufficient than urban dwellers not only out of necessity but because that is who we are. When the snowfalls, we drive through feet; a couple of inches are enough to reek havoc the city. In most cases, we walk or bike instead of drive. Neighbors not only know each other’s names but also have created bonds of friendship. We don’t have elaborate parties with over priced designer dresses; we have barbeques in the back yard not because we don’t like sit down dinners, but because we better ways to spend five grand than on a single dress. Although we have our own issues, for the most part we are well-educated people who are doing the best to provide for our families.
Obama, the Democratic Party leaders and political pundit have made in more than clear that they aren’t in having all the votes count, only those that are in Obama favor. Michigan and Florida votes were excluded from the process, while they would prefer for the remaining state votes not to have a choice between candidates. By pressuring Clinton to step down before everyone has an opportunity to vote, they are usurping the voters’ rights. As it stands now the race is so close that every vote counts and should could count. By trying to remove Clinton from the race, you are telling millions of voters that there isn’t room in the process from them or their needs. Party leaders are so despite to win the White House that they are forgetting that the primary goal is to serve the pubic--in short to represent, all of the people, not just those who voted at the beginning of the primary. By usurping the voters’ choices, they are opening the door for Senator McCain and helping him through it.
Just so you know Obama, most of us don’t have a clue how to play the banjo, but I’m beginning to wonder about you. Congratulations on joining the Good Ole Boy’s club. I’m sure it’s making you Mother’s soul proud to see you become what she disliked most about society. Have a good look in the mirror. Just in the short time, you have been running for the Presidency, you have already become that which you intended to fight against.
Technorati Tags:
2008 Presidental election, Clinton, Obama, feminism, Feminized Values, guest blogger, politics, Democrats, real clear politics, cnn politics, American Politics, real politics, women in politics, hilary clinton campaign, hilary rodham clinton, hilary clinton for president, barack obama, obama girl, facts about barack obama, obama for president, Theresa Chaze, Katherine Adam, Charles Derber, democratic candidates for 2008 elections, republican elections 2008 whos running for president, 2008 us democratic party elections results, feminism, modern feminism, liberal feminism, definition of feminism, politics of feminism, the view politics feminism, Michigan Voters, Theresa Chaze, uppity women, gender bias, gender bigotry,
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Guest Blogger: Primary Battles Prove Feminized Values to be Defining Element of 2008 Presidential Race
Primary Battles Prove Feminized Values to be Defining Element of 2008 Presidential Race
By Katherine Adam and Charles Derber
As Democrats come closer to choosing their candidate for the 2008 presidential election, gender has emerged again and again as the defining element of the primary race. Hillary has relied heavily on a base of older and working class women. Barack Obama has pulled ahead of Hillary Clinton with a feminized personal style and using feminized language about unity and community.
New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd picked up on this phenomenon, writing, "The first serious female candidate for president was rejected by voters drawn to the more feminine management style of her male rival." Boston Globe writer Ellen Goodman has a different take on the events: "Now we see a woman running as the fighter and a man modeling a 'woman's way' of leading. We see a younger generation in particular inspired by ideas nurtured by women, as long as they are delivered in a baritone. So, has the women's movement made life easier? For another man?"
Dowd and Goodman both touch upon a theme we discuss in our book, The New Feminized Majority: How Democrats Can Change America with Women's Values. The Obama-Clinton gender battle ultimately comes down to feminized values, which will also be the defining element in the 2008 election and beyond.
For many Democrats, it seems strange to talk about values-based politics. We usually equate values with religion. The media calls evangelical conservatives the only “values voters.” Yet, values are nothing more than socially constructed ideals of how the world should be. Many aspects of a person's identity beyond religion create his or her value system –age, race, and nationality. However, the most important values for Democrats to understand are values shaped by gender.
Women's history of oppression, combined with their fights for liberation, have created what we term feminized values. These include empathy, cooperation, and a preference for non-violent solutions to conflicts. Conversely, men's history of political and economic dominance socialize men into a system of masculinized values, including aggression and individualism.
Gender gap data from surveys consistently show this gendered difference. But it is important to understand that gendered values are not embedded in a person's DNA. Women are not inherently more peaceful and nurturing, men are not born as cutthroat, "every man for himself" individualists. (Just look at Condoleezza Rice and Dennis Kucinich.) People, in general, are socialized into values based on gender, but gender is open to variance and change. Men can adopt feminized values, and, as we will show, millions have.
Women's increasing progressivism won't lead to a battle of the sexes showdown. In fact, millions of men are following the feminized progressive example, holding opinions on issues that match those held by a majority of women. This points to the reason Obama or Clinton needs to pay close attention to gendered values: for the first time, feminized values—which are progressive, community-minded, and often closely aligned with Democratic Party policy—are now held by a majority of Americans.
While gender gaps still exist, a large enough minority of men support feminized principles to make them majoritarian. We find these values reflected in issue after issue, in poll after poll. From ending the Iraq War to funding stem cell research, from raising the minimum wage to adopting government-sponsored universal healthcare, the feminized position is the majoritarian position—which means it is the winning position.
While Clinton seemed to be the more "masculinized" candidate in the Democratic race, the differences between Clinton and Obama will seem microscopic once we enter the general election. The race between McCain and the Democratic candidate shows a HUGE chasm between feminized and masculinized morality.
McCain's hypermilitarized foreign policy objectives and traditionalist social policies reflect his masculinized values. At events, he is often flanked by symbols of American masculinity, such as cops and soldiers. These visuals are an attempt to convey a subliminal promise of masculine protectionism: vote for me and men like these will keep your wives and children safe. The other unspoken part of this message is clear: Democrats are too weak and womanly to lead.
Unfortunately for McCain, a majority of Americans have turned away from this dated definition of "strength". With hundreds of thousands dying in Iraq, GIs returning home paralyzed or in body bags, and pictures circulating of hooded Iraqi prisoners with electrodes attached to their bodies, Americans are looking for a new kind of foreign policy. And with multiple corporate mergers, rising poverty rates, and economic inequality unparalleled since the Gilded Age, Americans can't afford anything but new domestic policies.
Obama or Clinton can provide an alternative to the morality offered by McCain. All they need to do is recognize the new feminized majority, and embrace it.
To order “The New Feminized Majority” visit Paradigm Publishing at http://www.paradigmpublishers.com/books/BookDetail.aspx?productID=180321 or Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/New-Feminized-Majority-Katherine-Adam/dp/1594515689/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204436315&sr=8-1
Building beyond Lakoff’s election-year best-seller, Don’t Think of an Elephant, this new book shows how the values of American voters are dramatically shifting. With the arrival of the 2008 election year, a rising feminized majority’—made up of both women and men—is emerging as the pivotal force in American politics. Emerging trends show these values are broadly progressive and address not just the needs of women but the general interests of society. They are held by women substantially more than by men but have become the values held by a majority of all voters, including millions of men.
Like earlier eras in American history, such as the New Deal, the rise of the feminized majority today presents an opportunity for the Democrats to become the governing party for decades to come. Looking beyond the 2008 election, Adam and Derber describe a new political strategy that targets the feminized base and opens up a window for major social justice movements to make progressive change.
Like Lakoff’s, this striking new book—perfectly timed for election year 2008—offers a new vocabulary for every citizen who wants to understand (and reimagine) American politics. It will intrigue and provoke readers, stirring new conversation among progressives and new insights for every citizen interested in politics, morality, religion, values, and social justice.
Reveals the “Three Hillaries” and why two of her three political dimensions consist of masculinized values.
Shows why Obama and Edwards are more “feminized” than Hillary Clinton
Builds beyond Lakoff’s Elephant in showing how gender is increasingly pivotal in political values, and by revealing the deep historical roots of gendered values in America
Looks at the relation between religion, values, and politics in a new way
A book perfectly timed for the first election in which a woman, Hillary Clinton, stands a strong chance of becoming president
Written by a widely experienced political campaigner and a noted social critic
Shows how political discussions have been gender-blind and how gender awareness opens new windows to social justice in America
Gender, Values, and the Democrats
As the only group targeted by a political party using a value-based strategy, evangelicals are seen as the only people who match their actions and politics to their values. Values, however, are a universal human phenomenon. In their simplest form, values are socially constructed views about how the world should be. In 1651, Thomas Hobbes wrote about the subjectivity of values and how we shape our values to fit our ideas of what makes a perfect society.
But whatsoever is the object of any man’s appetite or desire, that it is which he for his part calleth “good”; and the object of his contempt “vile” and “inconsiderable.” For these words of good, evil, and contemptible, are ever used with relation to the person that useth them. There being nothing simply and absolutely so; nor any common rule of Good or Evil, to be taken from the nature of the objects themselves.7
Looking past Hobbes’s notorious pessimism about the human condition, this idea highlights that everyone acts on values and that values are socially constructed. Therefore, values vary from person to person, and a person has the ability to change his or her values.
Although Hobbes refers to an individual’s values, his message translates to larger community values. Americans, for example, hold American values. Every political candidate, on the right or the left, knows that most Americans respond favorably to the idea that a person should be rewarded for hard work. This is a capitalist, American value. Members of other societies might feel that a person should be rewarded for his or her skin color or family bloodline. Every person is socialized into the values of his or her community or nation, and these values then intersect with other values the person has, such as those based his or her religion, race, and socioeconomic class.
Perhaps the most important set of socialized values, however, is based on a person’s gender. We term these values feminized values and masculinized values. In this book, we will outline how men’s and women’s different value systems create divergent views about what America should be. We argue that Americans carry gendered attitudes into the voting booth and, like the evangelicals, vote based on how these values translate to specific political issues.
Just as some groups’ values fall to the more conservative end of the political spectrum, other groups’ values fall to the left. Evangelicals usually support right-wing candidates, because their moral values are highly conservative. We will introduce a group of voters whose values reflect progressive ideals: feminized values voters. If evangelicals represent the key to Republican electoral victory, then feminized values voters represent the chance for Democrats to usher in a new progressive era.
Feminized values are the values into which women are socialized; a majority of women hold these values, as do a smaller percentage of men, for reasons we will describe shortly. The potential for a more progressive era arises because the women and men who hold feminized values make up today a majority of the country and of voters.
We term feminized values voters the feminized majority. These women and men will not only change election outcomes, but also will transform American values and the American Dream. The feminized majority supports a strong welfare state, views social issues through a lens of egalitarianism, and feels that government should do more in general to help its most vulnerable citizens. Feminized majority voters support stem cell research, comprehensive sex education, and environmental protection. They reject violent imperialism. They worry about their long-term economic security and fear that neither party will provide them with adequate health care. In a much deeper and richer way than American masculinized voters, the feminized majority yearns for a progressive, populist America.
We call these voters the feminized majority because the values they carry truly are becoming majoritarian. We will describe the political and economic changes that have led to this point. It is important to remember that President Bush changed the 2004 election by mobilizing evangelicals, who represent only 23 percent of voters. Now, Democrats have the opportunity to change America in dramatic ways with the support of a much larger part of the electorate. While the general perception is that the United States is a conservative country, we shall show that feminized values are held by an increasingly robust majority of voters in the country who are prepared to support a progressive politics of social justice.
The Democrats can lead the feminized majority if they are willing to abandon their triangulation strategy and create a values-based platform. This approach seems unorthodox, because we usually conflate values and morals with religion and conservatism. However, values are nothing more than socially constructed ideals that provide a moral compass for each person, regardless of where he or she falls on the political spectrum. Once Democrats recognize the power of values in elections, they can begin appealing to values voters.
A noted social critic, Charles Derber is a Professor of Sociology at Boston College. Katherine Adam is the Outreach Director for the Philadelphia GROW Project of the Drexel University School of Public Health. She has been active in Democratic Party politics at the federal, state, and local levels, including interning for Senator John Kerry. Derber and Adam collaborated on the newly released nonfiction title, “The New Feminized Majority: How Democrats Can Change America with Women’s Values” which can be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and from the publisher’s website.
Technorati Tags:
2008 Presidental election, Clinton, Obama, feminism, Feminized Values, guest blogger, politics, Democrats, real clear politics, cnn politics, American Politics, real politics, women in politics, hilary clinton campaign, hilary rodham clinton, hilary clinton for president, barack obama, obama girl, facts about barack obama, obama for president, Theresa Chaze, Katherine Adam, Charles Derber, democratic candidates for 2008 elections, republican elections 2008 whos running for president, 2008 us democratic party elections results, feminism, modern feminism, liberal feminism, definition of feminism, politics of feminism, the view politics feminism
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Obama, Why Do You Hate the Voters of Michigan?
Obama, Why Do you Hate the Voters in Michigan?
It was reported to day that there are four factions working toward getting a revote for in Michigan. Clinton has already come out in favor, while Obama has remained silent. Which only leads me to believe that his is either he is afraid or that he hates the voters of Michigan.
The governor, state representatives, many Democrats, and businesses have been working to make it possible for Michigander votes to count. The people in the state, who weren't involved with decision to move up the date, want their voices heard. The 12million dollars have been pledged. It will not cost the National Democratic Party or the state a cent. All that needs to be decided is the manor of the revote and the date.
Clinton honored the agreement by not campaigning in Michigan; however, she showed the residents respect by not removing her name from the ballet. She has been asking for the revote, even though she originally carried the state.
Removing his name was optional, yet Obama chose to over look the millions of voters in Michigan. Since then he has continued to snub the state, by remaining silent and subtly discouraging the revote. So is he afraid of loosing and giving Clinton momentum or does he simply hate the people of Michigan.
Technorati Tags:
Michigan, politics, Obama, Clinton, voters, revote, 2008 elections, fair voting, democrats, making votes count, Michigan Governor, political representatives, Michigan Voters, Florida voters, elections,
It was reported to day that there are four factions working toward getting a revote for in Michigan. Clinton has already come out in favor, while Obama has remained silent. Which only leads me to believe that his is either he is afraid or that he hates the voters of Michigan.
The governor, state representatives, many Democrats, and businesses have been working to make it possible for Michigander votes to count. The people in the state, who weren't involved with decision to move up the date, want their voices heard. The 12million dollars have been pledged. It will not cost the National Democratic Party or the state a cent. All that needs to be decided is the manor of the revote and the date.
Clinton honored the agreement by not campaigning in Michigan; however, she showed the residents respect by not removing her name from the ballet. She has been asking for the revote, even though she originally carried the state.
Removing his name was optional, yet Obama chose to over look the millions of voters in Michigan. Since then he has continued to snub the state, by remaining silent and subtly discouraging the revote. So is he afraid of loosing and giving Clinton momentum or does he simply hate the people of Michigan.
Technorati Tags:
Michigan, politics, Obama, Clinton, voters, revote, 2008 elections, fair voting, democrats, making votes count, Michigan Governor, political representatives, Michigan Voters, Florida voters, elections,
Monday, March 03, 2008
Tarot Energy Reading for March 2008
Tarot Energy Reading for March 2008
By
Theresa Chaze
The energy for March 2008 will be mixed and confusing on every level. Many who sought Divine enlightenment will find that they were deceived by darkness masquerading as light. Instead of ascending into the Divine wisdom, they have become obsessed with their own spiritual growth and like Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection, so their egos are becoming overly impressed with their mystical gifts. Instead of sharing their love and light with others, they brag and boast about their new connections; just like those who those who seek power for the sake of power, they will never truly find what they search for.
The energy we will bring in to March is represented by the High Priest. Those who seek to know the truth will find the balance between their truth and the truth of others. As others mirror our challenges, we need to find patience, forgiveness and understanding for them, as it is the only way we will be able to find it for ourselves. Many have chosen not to question, but to blindly follow beliefs or traditions not because that is what is in their heart, but they fear being ostracized. It is easier to go along to get along than to have the courage to pull back their curtain and expose the man behind it. They would rather listen the booming voice and relinquish their power than risk standing alone. Yet there continue to be exceptions to this trend. Those who have been following their own path will not be turned back nor will they give into the fear mongering of others. As in the Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, they refuse to listen to the sensible people and continue wishing for their dreams to come true. It is this courage that will draw fairy godparents into their lives to create the miracles they have been wishing for.
March is represented by the seven of pentacles. It is a time of growth and potential growth, depending on how open each person is to change. Miracles will happen for those who have the courage to see beyond the disappoint and the anger over what we have lost. It is not a time for stubbornness or decisions made from fear. But a time of courage and resolve as we open our heart and lives to blessings. Many of us who have had their hearts and minds in conflict will resolve the issues in such a way that they well find peace. In doing so, they will tear down the barriers, which have kept their blessings from arriving. The work and sacrifice is done; it is time to accept the rewards. However, those who chose the path of fear will continue to find disappoints as the universe creates what they have been envisioning. Worldly wants and responsibilities still need to be met, yet the means to the end will be determined on the by the faith and courage within each of us.
The energy that we will carry out of March is the ten of cups. It is the sharing of blessing and dreams. As each of us has our wishes granted, so we are able to open our hearts and grant others the same gift. Literally, our cups will over flow to fill others with hope and new possibilities. Partnerships will be created. Blessing will be shared. Gratitude and generosity will be the keywords of those who trust. The lotus is opening early for those who are able to learn and grow through their old issues and wounds. They will be the beacons to the others who have the eyes to see and the nerve to follow their example. It is not the same path or destiny they will share, but the ability to chart their own course and create their own destiny.
The energy challenge we will all face is the Fool. We are at the crossroads. One path leads to courage and leadership. The other to closed eyes and minds as we blindly follow old teachings just because of tradition. The choice will be to learn or to become stagnant. This is the energy of free will and self determination. Those who choose independence will find the blessings they seek for they have learned from their mistakes and are willing to move forward on their spiritual path. Those who chose to continue on the same path will also arrive at a goal, but it is not the one they envisioned. Closed minds lead to closed heart. A closed heart cannot share in the love and hope that is freely offered to all. It is a circular pattern of behavior and beliefs that can only be broken by having the courage to accept change.
For a more personalized Tarot reading, go to www.theresachaze.com.
Suspense and romance combine in tales of horror as the residents of Coyote Springs are forced to face their inner fears and darkest passions.
Awakening the Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy
(978-0-9798406-0-9)
Dragon Domain--Book Two of the Dragon Clan Trilogy
(978-0-9798406-1-6)
More than a fantasy series, these trilogy is a Book of Shadows set in a fiction format. Written by a Wiccan Priestess and Ordained Minster, it shows the path to karmic justice and healing
Technorati Tags:
Tarot, free tarot reading, Wiccan, pagan, healing, intuition, empath, truth, fortune telling, medium, clairvoyant, seeing the future, spiritual healing, personal challenges, holistic healing,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)