My father died, very suddenly, more than 20 years ago in 1987.  It was just a little over a month shy of my college graduation when he literally dropped dead on the bathroom floor.  It was a day that devastated me.  He would not see me graduate.  He would not see me have a successful professional career.  He would not walk me down the aisle at my wedding.  He would not get to play with his grandchildren.  He would not see me as the woman I am today.

Shit - I miss him still.

Disclaimer:  this is a wine-induced philosophical meta.  Read on at your own peril - TM

Perhaps it was the warmth of the day, or the beautiful flowers I picked up at the local grocery store.  Maybe it was the way someone helped me when they realized I didn't speak Spanish very well, or perhaps it's the wonderful Chilean wine I've been drinking (for those who are curious, Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon by Concha y Toro wineries - I think you can buy it a Costco in the US!)  Regardless of the reason, I was thinking this tonight:

I want beauty in my life.

The beauty of a warm day, the beauty of a brilliantly colored rose, the beauty of kindness from a stranger, the beauty of those things in life that taste absolutely amazing.

All these things and more may seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, yet I consider them to be extremely important if we are to make things better.

To quote Keats:

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty," - that is all
       Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know

So, in pursuit of beauty, in pursuit of truth, I must be a Progressive Democrat.

or more precisely, nipple rings.

I just came across this fantastic article on CNN.com, International Edition.  Haven't had a chance to check the domestic version to see if it made it there.

Our nation is at a crossroads.

We are in  the midst of a war that appears to have no end despite the majority's overwhelming opposition to same.

We are in the midst of a severe economic downturn that appears uncertain at best, devastating on a national and global scale at worst.

We are in the midst of a major healthcare crisis that is leaving literally tens of millions of people at risk of severe illness or death due to lack of adequate insurance or available health services.

We are in the midst of one of the largest economic disparities between the rich and poor that our nation has seen in three generations.

We are a nation in crisis.  I say that not out of hyperbole.  Our nation has followed a path over the last 30 plus years that has brought us to this point in our history where we either watch our country burn, or we begin to make a deep and profound change that will move us away from the mindset of "What's in it for me?" to "What's best for our country and our countrymen?"

Barack Obama threw down the gauntlet today.

One of the great things about living abroad is BBC World.  I love this channel!  Not only do I get intelligent, in-depth reporting of international news, they put on the most fascinating programs.  Recently, I was watching Earth Report and their report entitled Doomsday Vault.  It sounds ominous, but it might just one day save humanity.

It's amazing what the Norwegians have committed themselves to completing.

I was, and continue to be, a supporter of John Edwards.  I felt he was the candidate that I identified with best, and I was disappointed when he decided to suspend his candidacy.  I believe he elevated the discourse of the primaries, forcing the top contenders to address issues with substantive responses.  I believe he was a positive force in what is often an extremely nasty contest.  He inspired me much in the same way Howard Dean inspired me in 2003-2004.  My heart sank when Dean left the primary race.  I had that same, sad feeling when Edwards suspended his campaign.

My second choice is Obama.  I think he is a fine candidate, and he will do our country a world of good.  I will support his candidacy by speaking in his favor when asked who I support, and I will vote for him in the election, but I will not send him any money.

No, I'm going to send my money where I think it will do better, to a place that I think keeps with the spirit of John Edwards's campaign.

I just finished reading about the so-called"economic stimulus package" being touted by Congress.  Now, I'm no economist, but I'm pretty sure this thing isn't going to work the way the folks in Washington think it will.

Do they think we'll take that money and go buy one of them fancy iPhones or a Wii?  Perhaps take a little vacation, ya know, to forget that the economy sucks.

I don't think so.

But TigerMom, you say, by your own admission, you're no economist.  What makes you think you know what's up?  Surely, the good folks in DC know how to handle these things.

Not.

I'm no economist, but I'm a mother with a family budget and debt.  Let me tell you what I think is gonna go down.

GBCW

As in "Gonna Be in Chile on Wednesday."

The big day is arriving.  The house is packed, loaded and on a slow boat to Santiago.  Me, the hubby, da boyz and El Perro Grande get on the plane tomorrow.

Look out, Chile.  Here we come.

Dear Mr. Gore,

I am the mother of two young boys, aged 5 1/2 and 3 1/2.  They are bright, wonderful and energetic, and their future is in jeopardy because of our current administration and what it has done to this country.

Our economy is a mess (unless you are one of the "investor class"), Americans are in a negative savings situation, poverty is on the rise, over 46 million Americans are uninsured, and many of us are just a paycheck or two away from serious financial difficulties.

Our standing in the world is in shambles.  We have lost our moral and leadership authority through the gross negligence and infuriating hubris of a make-believe cowboy parading around as "The Decider."  Other countries (e.g. Turkey) are beginning to say things like if the USA can preemptively strike at terrorists, so can we.  Our so-called leading diplomat, Condoleeza Rice, is over in Russia telling Putin too much power is concentrated in his office, yet she willingly ignores the same problem at home.  I could go on and on.

This is not the America I grew up in, and it is not the America I want my children to grow up in.

You did it once, you can do it again.

Our country, its people, my children, need you to run for President.

I am not one to use profanity in my diary titles, but after reading Miss Laura's front page diary about the anti-contraception agenda of the so-called "pro-life" crowd, I can't help myself.

On one hand, I can understand their anti-abortion stance.  I personally think abortion is the taking of a human life.  THAT BEING SAID, I am a staunch supporter of Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose if for nothing more than the simple fact that government has ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT in interfere with ANY medcial decision made between a woman and her doctor.  Whether it's abortion, cancer treatment or withholding or terminating treatment (oh, you know what I'm referring to), government needs to STFO (stay the fuck out)!

Furthermore, I am additionally a staunch supporter of contraception.  The best way to prevent abortions is to prevent pregnancies.  I am one of the 89% who uses contraception because if I didn't, another pregnancy for me has the potential to kill me.

Join me after the fold and I'll explain.

From BBC News online:

Libya revokes HIV death sentences

The death sentences on foreign medics convicted of infecting Libyan children with HIV have been commuted to life in prison, a Libyan official has said.

Relatives of the 438 children had earlier dropped their demand for the death penalty, after accepting compensation worth $1m per child.

Blitzer is on right now.  The top story:  Iran about to make big trouble in Iraq by trying to get arms to Shia extremists.  It's going to happen within the next 60 days - just about the time Petreus' assessment is due.

Top story #2 - The terrorists are trying to get in - Key intel report due tomorrow.

Here we go again folks.

Come November, I and my family are leaving the United States.  No, seriously.  I mean it.

Country of destination:  Chile.

My husband recently accepted a scientific position that requires us to relocate to Santiago, Chile for at least a year - longer if everybody is happy.

And I plan on taking all of you with me.

Dear Ms. Sheehan:

We have neither met nor spoken to each other before.  I wish that weren't so.  you are someone whom I'd like to meet.  I have watched you grieve, question, challenge the status quo, all in the name of your son.  I understand, somewhat, your pain.  You see, I am a mother myself, although I am not a mother who has lost a son to a war perpetrated by men who lack the courage to serve themselves.

I am a mother of two sons, both of whom are quite young.  Both of whom may yet suffer the consequences of this godforesaken war in Iraq.

Crikey mikey, it's been a real downer of a week.  Everytime I come to dKos, I get to read all about the death, destruction, greed, avarice and other nastiness that this administration has foisted upon us.

And it seems like they're getting away with it...still.

Perhaps I'm just in a crappy mood.  Perhaps it's because it's been raining a lot here.  Perhaps it's because my hubby is away - again.  Whatever it is, I'm just sick of hearing about the ugliness of the world.

So, tell me something good.  I know there are folks out there who are doing good things for other people.  I want to hear about it.

This is your chance to toot your own horn or give praise and/or thanks to someone out there who's doing right by people.  It doesn't matter if you helped an old lady across the street or if your neighbor took your garbage cans to the curb for you.  If you or someone you know has righted some wrong or made life a little better, share it with us this evening.

Tell me something good.  We could all use a little pick me up.

Tonight was not a bath night.  My husband had that duty last night.  But thanks to a very eventful day at the playground and a couple of (washable) markers, tonight was bath night redux for my 5 and 3 year old boys.

As I got the bath ready, adjusting the water to just the right temperature that both relaxes and invigorates them simultaneously, I just enjoyed the moment of solitude with the bathwater in all its glorious warmth and beckoning.

A simple bath - how it can send the mind racing.

In part one of my diary on ethical consumerism, I put forth the argument that it is our duty as Democrats, and as human beings for that matter, to support and patronize those businesses that promote democratic values and ideals.  In this segment, I hope to outline the initial steps you can take to become and ethical consumer.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step…

Okay, did I miss something?

This afternoon, around 3:30 PM MST, I went to the local Smith's store to drop off a prescription for my son - damn pink eye won't go away.  Anyhoo, I noticed at the nearby gas station, gas was $2.21 a gallon, an increase of 9 cents a gallon since Monday of this week.  It reminded me that I needed to fill up the tank on the Mini Cooper.  I'd get to it later.

Well, later came around 9:00 PM this evening, and the price was $2.31 a gallon - up 10 cents since this afternoon!

WTF did I miss?  Anyone else experiencing this in their town?