CNN’s John Roberts thinks moms don’t have time to be VP

CNN, 11:07 am

JOHN ROBERTS: There’s also this issue that on April 18th she [Gov. Palin] gave birth to a baby with Downs Syndrome. The baby is slightly more than four months old now and, uh, children with Downs Syndrome require an awful lot of attention. The role of vice president seems to me would take up an awful lot of her time, and it raises the issue of how much time will she have to dedicate to her newborn child.

DANNA BASH: That’s a very good question and I guess, um, my guess is that the lines out of the McCain campaign is if it were a man being picked who also had a baby with Downs Syndrome would you ask the same question. [FOOTNOTE TO DANNA: NO HE WOULDN'T] And that might be another way to kind of, way to, uh, you know, close the gender gap and make the point that yes, she not only has unfortunately [WHOAH] a baby with Downs Syndrome, but she has five children the oldest of whom is in the Army and is apparently to head off to Iraq in the fall, so you know, uh, it absolutely is going to be a question that she is going to have to answer, and there’s no question that she had to do soul searching and figure out if she could take this on when John MCCain made clear he wanted her to be his running mate . . ..

For anyone who thinks that there isn’t sexism in the media and that Hill had a cakewalk, I rest my case.

Filed under: Hillary, kids, life , baby, campaign, child, Danna Bash, dedicate, Down's syndrome, John Roberts, McCain, newborn, Sarah Palin, time, vice-president

My favourite Sarah Palin photo

. . .is this one:

What is that thing on the coffee table anyway? I mean, the bear’s dead and I’m not jumping up and down about that but for all the people who claim that Sarah Palin won’t be able to stand the fall election heat: she’s sitting on a bear, folks. And she probably caught the big ugly thing on the coffee table with her bare hands in between raising four kids and diapering the fifth.

Still not convinced? Well how ’bout this one?

We don’t share the same politics but I just cannot wait for this woman to make some boys cry.

Filed under: Hillary, kids, life , boys, cry, election heat, fall, John McCain, Sarah Palin

A speech to build a dream on?

Structurally, Hillary’s speech at the Democratic National Convention was masterful. I have to admit, I didn’t know where she was going with the familiar stories from the campaign trail–the mother with cancer and no health insurance, the soldier in pain. Minutes later I found out as she whumped her supporters with the following:

 

I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me, or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that young boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?

True, she didn’t say a single substantive thing about Obama. But she did what she had to do. And she left her options open.

 

Filed under: Hillary , Democratic Convention, Hillary, Obama, speech

Food TV responsible for young chef wannabes

I just happened on a letter from Leslie Bilderback, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Success as a Chef, to the mother of a 16-year-old who was interested in being a pastry chef. The full article is at The Reluctant Gourmet.

I loved this letter because it really tells it like it is. In the last few years, Food TV has glamourized food and resaurant careers to such an extent that thousands of kids are applying to cooking school who, in Leslie’s words, just aren’t the “right type.”

Here’s a sample of Leslie’s letter:

Please understand, I went to a big culinary school, I taught at one, and I was the Executive Chef of one.  They can be terrific for the right type of person.  But most students are not the right type. 

The right type knows exactly what their dream culinary career entails.  They have researched the job market, including job availability, salaries, and competition.  They know from experience what a food-service job entails, because they have already worked in food service, and they love it.  (They love the sweaty heat, the tired aching feet, the foul language, alcoholism and drug abuse, low pay, no paid vacation or health insurance…unless they join a union.)  

They are comfortable working for someone else; they know how to take direction, and criticism.  Also, the right type of culinary student has no delusions of grandeur.  They know, and are comfortable with, the fact that very few culinarians become rich and famous.     (Most barely make it a year in the industry.  Some hang in for 2 or 3 years before giving up.)  The success rate of small restaurants and bakeries is pretty low, too.

The culinary schools are not packed with these kinds of students because they have little criteria for entrance.  We use to joke that all a student needed to get into our school was a checkbook and a pulse.  I know there are schools out there with integrity.  I’m just not sure which ones they are.  (In my book, I have lists of questions you should be asking these institutions).

Wow–talk about “bracing.” Leslie goes on to apologize to this mother for such a downer of a letter and adds that, “It is a problem in our industry, thanks to food TV, that too many of the wrong type are flooding the market.”

Filed under: food, kids , chef, Complete Idiot's Guide to Success as a Chef, criticism, culinary school, food service, job, Leslie Bilderback, pastry, students

Fall, tween, carpe diem

I hope you enjoy this piece which was recently posted on the singlemindedwomen blog.

Filed under: kids, life, solo life , blog, carpe diem, fall, Singlemindedwomen, tween

Denver-bound with Hill supporters

Can’t wait for what ever suprise Shrillary and her toadies have stuffed up their sleeves.

- Joe

Well, Joe, neither can I, though I wouldn’t have put it quite that way. Now let’s see how HireHeels puts it:

 

gals & sugardaddies,
we’re
denver-bound
lookin’
pretty, but
things
may get
ugly…

 

 

Hmm, that’s better.  But many questions. What are these people going to do at the convention? How many of them are there? Have all but a few of the 18 million really moved on? Does Hill have a snowball’s chance in Timbuktu of actually being nominated?

And what about PUMA? Are they frustrated Dems or crafty Republicans? Diane Tucker at HuffPo offers up the following:

It’s clear PUMA is looking for Hillary Clinton’s name to be placed into nomination at the National Convention, but which convention — Democratic or Republican? PUMA founder and spokesperson Will Bower told the Huffington Post in June that even though he has been a lifelong Democrat, if Hillary’s destiny is to become vice-president, then he would prefer a McCain/Hillary ticket.

Well, I’ve got my place on the sofa all set. Had no time to watch the Olympics, but I’ll be tuning in regularly to this one.

Filed under: Hillary , Democratic National Convention, Denver, Hillary, McCain, PUMA, vice-president

“I’m single, educated, and a mother. I felt practically doomed.”

That’s a quote, by the way, from elle about CNN’s Black in America and some of the things it had to say about women, mothers, and kids. So I’m featuring her take on this, because I’m not black in America; I’m white in Canada. But the show annoyed me and I’m glad she said it.

Two pictures were represented: of poor single mothers whose kids we should all feel sorry for, and of single, educated, child-free African-American women who won’t tie the knot. A panic-stricken Soledad O’Brian wouldn’t ask the key question: Is it really about marriage?  She just assumed it was along with everyone else interviewed.

But let me quote elle in more depth here:

CNN has the solution for the problem I didn’t even know I was: marriage. Yep.

See, marrying would mean that I wouldn’t be a single mom anymore. And, it would magically mean no more poverty for single moms! Never mind that

1) Many single moms (like me) have arrangements that work for us and our children. I am single because I’m not married, but I’m not raising my child alone.
2) We refuse to adequately address pay equity and the devaluation of women’s work which contribute to the impoverishment of women and children.
3) We’ve stigmatized and rendered thoroughly inadequate any system of social provision.
4) Marrying a guy who does not work or who works in low-wage labor won’t solve much of anything.
5) What about single moms who don’t want to marry? Is that not a valid option when you’re poor?
6) What about single moms who don’t want a heterosexual marriage because they’re lesbian or bisexual?

Go visit her blog for more.

Filed under: kids, solo life , African-Americans, Black in America, elle, marriage, pay equity, single mothers, Soledad O'Brian

Eyes Wide Shut 2: Domino is the masked woman

Eyes Wide Shut was on again on Bravo and this time I made it to the point where Tommy was ordered to strip. And now I’ve come up with three compelling reasons why Domino is the masked woman who redeems Cruise by offering up herself–NOT Amanda.

Vinessa Shaw as Domino

Reason 1

Cruise’s character redeemed Domino by paying her the $150 she quoted even though they didn’t have sex. In other words, he redeemed her by acknowledging her time and company as worthwhile–not just her vagina. Later, at the party, she redeems him. “Redeem” is the word Kubrick uses. Tit for tat.

Reason 2

Apparently Domino is HIV+. Of course, we only learn this the night after Tommy’s adventure. BUT–Domino might suspect it already. Think of her infecting the sex party hypocrites she’s probably totally sick of. Opposite of redemption: revenge.

Reason 3

Would Cruise really make a lasting impression on Amanda in that early scene in Ziegler’s room? I mean, if you liked speedballs like Amanda does, would you remember some clean-cut doctor who lectured you to go to rehab? I think not. I think Amanda probably thinks Tommy is a big idiot. Besides, she was barely conscious. No reason for her to come to his defence at the big house.

So those are my three reasons. Now I may go get the book the film is based on and see if I can suss out any more info.

Filed under: films , Amanda, Domino, Eyes Wide Shut, Kubrick, redeem, sex, Tom Cruise, Vinessa Shaw

Ms. Debbie Phelps, you’re da bomb

My daughter tells me never to say that but I’ll say it anyway: Give Michael Phelps’ mom Debbie a gold medal. Here’s a parent who stuck behind her kid through thick and thin even when the experts were telling her that Michael would never amount to anything. They saw lack of focus; she saw a hands-on learner with a giant talent for swimming and a love of science experiments.

And this summer at the Beijing Olympics, the experts have been eating their words.

Of course, it helped that Debbie is herself a teacher and school administrator: she didn’t panic or overact when she got the nasty spiel at parents’ night: Michael’s immature; Michael can’t sit still; Michael disrupts the classroom. She knew Michael could have ADHD but her attitude always was: OK, but what can we do to support him?

What most impresses me about Debbie Phelps is how well she knows her son. These days, all you have to do is look at your TV screen to see the incredible bond between them. But Phelps’s whole parenting style strikes a chord too: As she told ABC NEWS, “I’ve been there not to dictate or guide. I’m there to listen to what he wants to do and try to help him solve problems and make a wise decision.”

Bingo! Single parent raising thoughtful child and Olympic athlete. Hey, people! It can be done! You know, people like Debbie Phelps are not only an inspiration–they turn every argument against single parenthood on its head.

Filed under: kids, solo life , ADHD, Debbie Phelps, gold medal, Michael Phelps, Olympics, single parenthood, swimming

Great wines under $10

I’m starting a new category–great wines under ten bucks. Today, an Argentinian I wine I’ve been drinking for the last year: Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon 2004/2005/2006. It’s just the perfect red wine at a perfect price: $8.65.

What I like about it: that dark cab colour and the hint of vanilla and tobacco. Yum. And as my daughter’s godfather keeps reminding me with a glint in his eye. . .cabs have all those nice tannins in them for good vascular health. As we toast another. Enjoy.

Filed under: wine , cabernet sauvignon, red wine, tannins, tobacco, Trapiche, vanilla, vascular health