Gretchen Weiss-Elliot's Blog

Has anyone hear from Mr. Bill???

Gretchen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:50:47 EDT

I haven't seen him on this blog since Hurricane Ike... I know he lives in Texas and he was having some health problems... I have been worried about him and thinking about him. Wonder if anyone else has heard from him-- If you have-- Please give him my best

Gretchen

Hate followed by HOPE...

Gretchen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:32:31 EDT

This video brought tears to my eyes... The horror and the hate that the McCain/Palin has stirred up followed by the HOPE Obama brings...

Please watch this-- It brought tears to my eyes...

http://complainjane.wordpress.com/

Watch this and tell me if you consider this a handshake...

Gretchen — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:26:05 EDT

McCain couldn't even lift his hand high enough to actually shake Obama's hand-- More of a wave...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI0iIOqPGak

Did you see that McCain did not shake

Gretchen — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:40:45 EDT

Barack's hand-- Barack went up to him and tapped him on the shoulder to shake his hand and he pushed his hand away so that Barack shook only Cindi's hand-- OUCH!!! I was appalled by that!! Did anyone else see that???

Controversial voters purging...

Gretchen — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:08:56 EDT

CBS reported that there is a lot of voters that are being purged for suspicious reasons... Watch this... it is scary!!

To me cheating is treason-- anyone who is caught doing this needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of FEDERAL LAW-- maybe sent to Gitmo...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRfJtnfQDgg

Palin makes a HUGE slip, misquoting Madeleine Albright....

Gretchen — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:57:26 EDT

Sarah Palin said she looked down at her coffee cup and had a providential moment... Too bad the woman can't read... Palin stated that her coffee cup said: 'There's a place in Hell reserved for women who support other women.'"

Albright's real quote was that: There is a place in Hell reserved for women who DON'T support other women...

I like Albright's quote better... If you want to talk about women who don't support OTHER women-- Sarah Palin's name is the first to enter my mind...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/05/palin-misquotes-albright_n_131967.html

Story about Obama helping a woman 20 years ago....

Gretchen — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:28:46 EDT

A breaking story about how a kind, quiet man stepped in to help a new bride get back home. This comes as no surprise to those of us who respect this man and want to see him elected.
Blogger Leisha has posted a translation of the original story first published in a popular Norwegian magazine.
The Story:

Obama Story, Norway
Mary lacked money to fly home to Norway â€" Barack Obama saved her love
ÅSGÅRDSTRAND (VG): Mary was a newlywed and ready to move to Norway, but was stopped at the airport because she didn’t have enough money for the trip. Then a stranger turned up and paid for her.
Mary Menth Andersen was 31 years old at the time and had just married Norwegian Dag Andersen. She was looking forward to starting a new life in Åsgårdstrand in Vestfold with him. But first she had to get all of her belongings across to Norway. The date was November 2nd, 1988.
At the airport in Miami things were hectic as usual, with long lines at the check-in counters. When it was finally Mary’s turn and she had placed her luggage on the baggage line, she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness.
-You’ll have to pay a 103 dollar surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway, the man behind the counter said.
Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call.
-I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without. But I had already made such a careful selection of my most prized possessions, says Mary.
Although she explained the situation to the man behind the counter, he showed no signs of mercy.
-I started to cry, tears were pouring down my face and I had no idea what to do. Then I heard a gentle and friendly voice behind me saying, That’s OK, I’ll pay for her.
Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before.
-He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive. The first thing I thought was, Who is this man?
Although this happened 20 years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man.
-He was nicely dressed, fashionably dressed with brown leather shoes, a cotton shirt open at the throat and khaki pants, says Mary.
She was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her.
The piece of paper said ‘Barack Obama’ and his address in Kansas, which is the state where his mother comes from. Mary carried the slip of paper around in her wallet for years, before it was thrown out.
-He was my knight in shining armor, says Mary, smiling.
She paid the 103 dollars back to Obama the day after she arrived in Norway. At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker* in Chicago, and had started his law studies at prestigious Harvard university.
In the spring of 2006 Mary’s parents had heard that Obama was considering a run for president, but that he had still not decided. They chose to write a letter in which they told him that he would receive their votes. At the same time, they thanked Obama for helping their daughter 18 years earlier.
In a letter to Mary’s parents dated May 4th, 2006 and stamped ‘United States Senate, Washington DC’, Barack Obama writes**:
‘I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport. I’m happy I could help back then, and I’m delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway. Please send her my best wishes. Sincerely, Barack Obama, United States senator’.
The parents sent the letter on to Mary.
This week VG met her and her husband in the café that she runs with her friend Lisbeth Tollefsrud in Åsgårdstrand.
-It’s amazing to think that the man who helped me 20 years ago may now become the next US president, says Mary delightedly.
She has already voted for Obama. She recently donated 100 dollars to his campaign.
She often tells the story from Miami airport, both when race issues are raised and when the conversation turns to the presidential elections.
-I sincerely hope the Americans will see reason and understand that Obama means change, says Mary.

Sarah Palin addresses the Alaska Independence Party....

Gretchen — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:08:33 EDT

If Barack had done something like this his campaign would have ended before it began... AND SHE did this in 2008!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Re0vmbtHK8

She is making up things about Barack's character-- She only needs to look in the mirror if she wants to see poor poor character and terrible judgement!!

Hey Sarah-- Can you see reality from Alaska???

To all those Joe six packs playing a drinking game.... Maverick

Gretchen — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 13:37:42 EDT

If you want to start your Sunday morning off with a great laugh and like me I am in bed before SNL comes on-- WATCH IN NOW!!! I almost fell on the floor when Faye said I think marriage should be only for two unwilling teenagers...

you gotta see this!!! http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/vp-debate-open-palin-biden/727421/

Will the real leader of the Republican Party... Please stand up.

Gretchen — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:17:06 EDT

Whether you agree or disagree with the Wall Street bail out-- I would like to know WHO is the real leader of the Republicans??? George Bush?? John McCain.... OR is it Eric Cantor-- the Republican who lead the fight against the bail out???

You have to watch this video-- Rachel Maddow hits one out of the park with this one!!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/26950033#26950033

So, I thought McCain was going to suspend his

Gretchen — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:51:27 EDT

campaign until there was a resolution to economic crisis... in our " fundamentaly strong economy"???

From what I can see-- he swooped in-- did nothing-- broke a promise not to debate or campaign until there was a solution... He debated-- BLINK BLINK-- and now the vote did not pass in the House and he is campaigning... BLINK, BLINK again... What does this say about his ability to lead???

Can anyone tell me why people think that this man should be our next president??? Just because he has an R after his name and they have always voted R-- Makes no sense to me...

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein

For Letitrip-- send a Polar Bear to Sarah Palin....

Gretchen — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:32:24 EDT

http://polarbearsagainstpalin.wetpaint.com/page/Send+Sarah+A+Polar+Bear?t=anon

Michelle-- I thought you would like this!!!

Hundreds of thousands of dollars donated to Planned Parenthood in honor of Sarah Palin

Gretchen — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:09:26 EDT

I posted 10 days ago about a grassroots campaign to protest the anti-women's rights views of Sarah Palin. Since then over $600,000 dollars has been donated to Planned Parenthood and Sarah Palin has received "Thank you cards" letting her know that this money has been donated in her honor...

Planned Parenthood does more nationwide to prevent abortions than any other organization... They don't rely on teens to "Just say no" and other abstinence only education encouraged by the "right"... They responsibly teach teens about the possible consequences related to having sex so that teens make a more informed decision about sex and how it can effect their lives....

Planned parenthood SAVES lives by HEALTH CARE to young men and women and by providing education about safe sex to both gay and straight men and women. It also screens women/girls for cervical cancer, treats abnormal pap smears, cervical cancer prevention with the HPV vaccine, treats and prevents STD's that can cause sterility in men and women, STD's that can cause birth defects, blindness or death in babies and teaches ways to prevent STD transmission. They do annual exams on women who have little or no means to pay for care. They do breast cancer screening and help women find affordable/free mammograms. They teach testicular exams for young men-- They provide affordable birth control to anyone who walks through their doors... They also assist parenting women on getting good prenatal care.

Planned Parenthood SAVES lives!!! When I worked as a nurse-practitioner at a rural office, we had two women with ectopic pregnancies that would have died had they not first come through our doors, because they were afraid to talk to their parents about what was happening to them. Girls/guys who are afraid to talk to their parents about their bodies and sexuality have a safe place in Planned Parenthood.

They also provide NON biased option counseling to women/couples who are considering abortion vs adoption vs parenting. They provide women with tools to look at ALL of their options...

Consider giving Sarah Palin a LOUD message about her misguided policies regarding women's rights. Join me in donating to Planned Parenthood in honor of Sarah:

https://secure.ga0.org/02/pp10000_inhonor

Planned Parenthood will send a handwritten acknowlegement card to
Sarah Palin,
P.0 Box 110001
Juneau AK, 99811
U.S.A

Link to News article

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/sep/23/palin-opponents-shower-donations-planned-parenthoo/

http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Cecile+Richards

Have a wonderful day!!!, Gretchen

A worker who votes for McCain is like a chicken voting for Kernel Sanders...

Gretchen — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:05:39 EDT

Loved this quote given in a speech by Richard Trumka, Secretary Treasure of the AFL-CIO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8SzJGvGTZs&feature=email

We need to educate our fellow Americans on what Barack Obama stands for... He stands for the workers, and for heath care for everyone. McCain has voted against the worker... He wants to tax our health care benefits...

We cannot afford another 4 years with a man who voted WITH Bush 90% of the time!!!

Go vote on Larry King Live re: Sarah Palin

Gretchen — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:11:57 EDT

Choices are-- I like her more-- 21%
I like her less 79%

With over 19,000 votes:
http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/larry.king.live/

Palin discusses Wall Street... but she got a D in macro economics

Gretchen — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:09:35 EDT

in college:

"Palin's remarks echoed McCain's calls to overhaul outdated regulations and bring accountability to the financial markets. Palin accused Wall Street regulators of being "asleep at the switch," and vowed that she and McCain would "put an end to the mismanagement and abuses."

"We're going to reform the way Wall Street does business and stop the golden parachutes for CEOs who betray the public trust," she said.

This was the first time Palin had mentioned Wall Street in her stump speech. Mostly, she tends to reprise large portions of her nomination speech from the convention. Palin, herself, may not be the most authoritative spokesperson on such issues. In the past, when she ran for Alaska governor, she freely admitted to a reporter that she got a "D" in macroeconomics in college".

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/gov-palin-on-wa.html

Hey, I am 2 credits from my master's degree, got a B in Economics at the University of Washington-- I also have 5 kids and ALREADY have a grand-child... Does this make me more qualified for the VP job????

Join me and donate to Planned Parenthood on behalf of Sarah Palin...

Gretchen — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:35:28 EDT

Below is a copy of what I just received from Planned Parenthood.... I just donated on behalf of Sarah Palin. She will receive an acknowledgement at her office in Juneau.

Dear Gretchen,

Thank you for your special tribute gift to Planned
Parenthood. If you requested an announcement, a card will be
sent to the person indicated, notifying them of your gift.

Your gift will be directed to the area of our work that you
selected, and your support will bring us closer to our
shared vision of a world where every child is wanted, where
family planning is universally understood, accessible, and
accepted, and where everyone can exercise reproductive
freedoms in health and safety.

On behalf of everyone here at Planned Parenthood, thank you
again for your support and generosity.

Sincerely,

Cecile Richards
President
Planned Parenthood Federation of America

P.S. Your contribution to Planned Parenthood Federation of
America is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable
under law. IRS regulations require us to state that we did
not provide any goods or services to you in consideration of
your contribution. You may wish to print or save this
message as your receipt for tax purposes.

Payment Amount: $50.00
Campaign: Support Planned Parenthood! Honorary Giving

This donation is on behalf of:
==============================================
Name: Sarah Palin

Send acknowledgements to:
=========================
Name: Sarah Palin
Address: P.O. Box 110001
Juneau, AK 99811
United States

I am confused...

Gretchen — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:44:50 EDT

This was just sent to me by email-- Wanted to share it with you all-- Don't know who wrote it to give them credit-- I am sure we can probably ad a bunch more of our own...

"I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight..... If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."

Growing up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, a quintessential American story.

If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim. Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.

Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.

If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you
don't have any real leadership experience.

If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.

If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.

If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.

If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

If , while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant , you're very responsible.

If your wife is a Harvard graduate laywer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.

If your husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, much clearer now".

Now add your own...

Can't rate posts with this new format...

Gretchen — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:30:03 EDT

I cannot rate some posts because the group names are in the way... THIS needs to be fixed. There are several posts that need to be on the top 5 but it is not possible to give them stars...

Liz and Letitrip have posts that I wanted to give 5 stars but wasn't able to do this... HELP!!!

Thanks!!

If the Republicans really cared about the unborn they need to ensure EVERY woman gets adequate prenatal care...

Gretchen — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:49:10 EDT

There is a post further down that talks about women dying in pregnancy...

If the anti-choice supporters really supported unborn life they would ensure that prenatal care was provided for EVERY pregnant woman!!! In our county over 600 women/year do not get prenatal care because we DO NOT have enough providers... They also don't have gas money to get to their appointments-- Women/babies die every year in pregnancy-- If they had good access to prenatal care the numbers could be reduced. I can't tell you how many times that I have seen a woman without care, who is term that comes in with a dead baby... This is a wanted pregnancy... She didn't have an abortion... Once she decided that, then the so called "pro-lifers" don't care!!!

Our infant mortality rate is terrible compared to other countries...

What about children??? The anti choice people work so hard to take care of the unborn.... What happens when children don't have health care??? They die... but this problem doesn't seem to matter... If you really support life, then HEALTH CARE for everyone should be number one on your list... RIGHT???