This Week's Women in Politics Profile: Blanche Lincoln

Blanche Lincoln, United States Senator, from the State of Arkansas. I would have thought that Hillary Clinton would have been the one, but Blanche Lincoln did it at the age of 38, in 1998.
This Woman is far off the radar when it comes to National politics, but that doesn't mean much, when you consider she is one of only 16 women currently serving in the United States Senate.
She is one of 16 in an exclusive club of one hundred. By my view, she is one of the 16 elected most powerful and influential Women in United States Government, and that can't be argued.

So who is she, and how did she get there?
According to the girls and their search of Wikipedia, Blanche (Lambert) Lincoln was born and raised in Arkansas, and is a product of their fine public school system, which has consistently ranked in the high 40s out of the fifty states, depending on whose survey you read. Blanche Lambert attended Randolph Macon Women's College in Lynchburg Virginia and graduated in 1982. After that she studied Law at the University of Arkansas, while working for Arkansas 1st district Congressman Bill Alexander from 1982 to 1984.


In 1992, Blanche ran against Alexander and defeated him in the primary. She stayed in the House for two terms, leaving at the beginning of 1997 because she was pregnant.
In 1998 she ran for the Senate Seat of retiring Dale Bumpers and won 55-42. She was only 38 when she took office, and was the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Senate. Blanche Lincoln calls herself a moderate or centrist, and concentrates on farm or rural issues, which is logical considering the population of her State.

On Important Conservative Issues, she has voted to pass the partial birth Abortion Ban, and on gun control, she voted to ban lawsuits against gun makers and distributors, but also voted for the federal ban on assault weapons. Senator Lincoln was in a minority that supported CAFTA and she is opposed to some protectionists measures, but there aren't any mentioned.

I read that some political pundits thought she was viable as a VP choice for John Kerry in 2004, and some more are mentioning her now for Obama. Then I see on her home page that she supports Hillary Clinton. Okay, so any thing's possible, but after reading her resume, I don't think that Blanche Lincoln is a viable VP candidate. She's done great as a Senator from a small State, but I get a feel that while she's really in touch with the people of her state, I think she might be in over her head as a national leader. So anybody touting her as a VP possibility is more than likely throwing out names to see who strikes a chord. She seems like a hard working, well intention United States Senator, but could she be President? Maybe in another 4 or 8 years.

Next Week: The Girls are researching Condoleeza Rice. I'm going to try alternating Republican and Democratic Women of stature.

Messed up Priorities in the Media

I haven't always been the best parent. Part of my growth in the last year was my removing my children and myself from a bad situation. I let that fester for years, and you would think a woman with her Masters Degree would not have put her family there but I did.
I read the article about the 17 year old Girl with the School Phobia and I immediately thought the worst of the Mother. But this Morning I read the story again, and I got another perspective on it. The perspective that comes from working in security and investigations.

What motivated the Morning Call, out of the blue, to profile this case? Did Someone in the School district, a jealous parent, tip them off? Or maybe the motivation was political, to embarrass the School board?

There's a 17 year old girl, who without a doubt has more than a few issues, who had intimate details of her life and the expenses her Mom decided were appropriate, splashed all over the front page of a media entity for the entertainment of the masses. The Mom also let the Morning Call into her home to interview her and the child.

So am I the only Mom out here in the world who has had it occur to her that these people might also be attention pigs? I wonder if Maury Povich, Jerry Springer, or any of the other talk shows that feature freaks has called them yet to appear? Is there going to be a fundraiser to help sufferers of school phobia, or how about a Motorcycle ride to raise money to pay the truancy fines?

I can't help but be amazed at what a major media entity considered to be worthy of front page news. It is the kind of thing I expect to see at the Supermarket checkout line for Enquiring minds, you know what I mean?

I will do my weekly political woman profile tomorrow or sooner, the girls have amassed more info than I thought possible on Blanche Lincoln, United States Senator from Arkansas. My Son broke his ankle playing lacrosse on Sunday, and we first thought it was only sprained. We ended up Sunday Evening in the ER until 1 AM, So I'm dragging a bit. We Move back to the Valley the week of June 16th, after they finish school. Posts might be few in June.

Value

The value of human life is something we seldom talk about. Chain reactions our decisions have on others and the accountability we have to each other, especially our children is the backbone of my belief in school choice.
In our schools today we teach self esteem, almost to a fault. How else do we explain people trying out for American Idol who have no talent? Somehow many of those said people think they are entitled to continue because the judges don't know what they are talking about. We see it time and again in many different places. It explains the appetite many of our young people have for fame, why they put inappropriate pictures and videos of themselves on the internet. Much of what they like about themselves is built on false premise and we wonder why we struggle so much as a society

In my Saturday post titled Change there was much discussion on public schools. In my opinion our public schools are failing because we continue to demand more from our children and take away their tools for success.
Government standards continue to raise, yet our children continue to fail.
Tools for success, like acknowledging them as individuals with different needs and strengths. Allowing God a seat in the classroom instead of trying to deny his existence. Putting the focus on academics while teaching critical thinking skills instead of forced fed information without a thought to how a child learns. Yes I know there are many frustrated teachers out there who feel they are powerless to prepare the next generation, hard as they try.
The policies of LBJ and FDR meant to give a hand up, but instead gave a hand out, and now it has become a hand down. When we continue to grow programs that keep generations of people in the public system we are essentially telling them they are of no value. We are telling them they will never amount to anything and must depend on government programs and be stuck in government schools and grow up to be a dependent class of people.
When we allow parents to choose schools everywhere, but especially in the inner cities. I believe we are handing parents control over the situation, helping children take control of their own destiny and therefore saying indirectly "you matter".
We continue to argue philosophies on what is compassionate and what is required of a civilized society in regard to those who are less fortunate. In this nation of freedom it is important to let individuals make their own choices and live by their own decisions, that is compassion. Opening the doors for them to have the freedom to stand of fall, on their own, that is true compassion. Why? Because that's how we show value. We value individuals, we value their intelligence and their liberty and their right to succeed in life. How we handle those who fall should be an individual response, giving each of us the opportunity to say to our neighbor "you matter".

Phobia's

Yesterday the Morning Call ran a story about a girl in Palmerton who has school phobia. The girl is afraid to go to school so the district has given $45,000 in compensatory funds to her family to educate her. Seems part of the education process included modeling school, camps in Florida and Oregon and some teen magazines, all approved by the school board according to the article. This truly takes the Americans with Disabilities act to a whole new level. Somehow the girl is still considered truant and the family now owes the district a hefty sum of money, over $13,ooo between the mother and the daughter, the mom says they will probably have to sell their house. I'm still scratching my head trying to understand how this has happened.
There was quite a discussion in my house about this last night. One of my boys said why didn't we think of that, take the money, spend $1000 on books, use a cyber charter and bank the rest of the money. Well, for one thing it doesn't work like that, the money, and second, we don't operate like that. Actually one of my children did exhibit some fear of going to school, but it seems he was more afraid of Dad and Mom, so he overcame the phobia within a short period of time. He wasn't afraid of us in an abusive way, but he knew he had certain obligations as a family member and as a person. Perhaps more children should have phobias of not respecting and being obedient to their parents.
I could chow on the school district now, but there's no need. You all get it. Instead I think I'll discuss my own phobia. I have bureauaphoia. That is a fear of the government telling me how to conduct my personal affairs and taking large amounts of money from my paycheck. Hope I can overcome it soon.

Change

Over the past several months there has been much said about the Republican party, and how it has left much of it's conservative base in the dust. Much of McCain's Republican conservative base will either stay at home or hold their nose and vote. That's what I'm hearing and reading. Peggy Noonan has been chowing on the GOP, but that's not really new for her, she's always pointed out the flaws. Maybe that's her way of saying wake up and start standing up for the original principles we all hold dear, controlling spending, limiting government expansion and keeping freedom at the forefront.
It occurs to me that there are many Democrats who also want their party back. Many of them will also stay home or hold their nose and vote. It seems the party of Jefferson has gone very far astray. It almost seems like the party of Marx, no offense, but that's how it seems to many.
Everyone wants change, but there is no definition of that change would be.
Here is the change I want:
When citizens vote on a referendum it should not be subject to judicial overturn. Judges should not make laws, the original intent was for them to determine the constitutionality of new laws and to execute justice.
Tougher gun laws should not even be an issue. We have the second amendment for a reason.
Taxes should be a last resort, not the only solution. It's ok to cut spending and phase out programs that have outlived their purpose or have just been a failure.
Bills should be clean, not filled with hidden items like amnesty for illegals in the Iraq appropriations bill.
Representative districts should make sense and be cut for the voters not the elected official or any party.
Eminent domain needs to become rare. Private property rights have become almost non existant. Seems most municipalities want to tell us what to do in our own yard.
These are a few changes I'd like to see, but not hearing them anywhere. They are pretty basic, and I think they cross party lines. I'm sure there are more we'd all like to see, so please comment.

A Vast Right Wing Conspiracy Dinner

Last week I was in Washington for a dinner with some members of the "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy". FreedomWorks invited about 70 people to award Legislative Entrepeneurship Awards to Senators, Congressman, and a few State Legislators. All the guests were way above my pay grade.

Much like the PA Leadership Conference I attended in April the buzz was the same. Cocktail conversations were dominated by a frustration with GOP leadership and the GOP establishment. There were many lamentations about "Where is the leadership?"; "What do they stand for?"; "Do we have any principles anymore?"; Etc. This is a growing problem and the GOP continues to ignore it. As I said, all were way above my pay grade. Probably more than I could count on two hands make more in a week (or days) than I will make in my entire life. If these people are complaining, the GOP is in trouble. It's one thing for local Joe Hilliard to complain to the local party, it is another thing to see such vast rumblings and complaints in Harrisburg and D.C.

The speaker was George Will. His theme was not much different. His best line was commenting about Republican support for the prescription drug bill - which will dwarf the problems of Social Security bankruptcy - and the Democrat's love of socialized medicine. He stated, "They are all programs with a simple premise; Send my bills to my children." George Will is a genius.

I had several opportunities to talk with him, including his frustration with the Cubs and mine with the Phillies. We don't share current frustrations, but lifetime frustrations as fans! I also told him he was one of the three reasons I am a conservative. In his humble self-deprecating fashion he commented "Well, I hope the other two are better reasons than me." I stated, "I wouldn't say they are better but they are Ronald Reagan and my mom." He commented that they were vastly better reasons than him. George is a great guy.

But all the problems and concerns conservatives face seem to be summed up by a simple question. Are we frustrated with RINO's or BIGR's? I introduced the term BIGR to Mr. Will and hope it starts changing the debate by changing language.

What is a BIGR? A Big Intrusive Government Republican. These are Republican politicians who love public/private partnerships. Who loved the Prescription Drug Plan because it might buy some more elderly votes. Who like higher taxes as long as they are used for 'good' purposes. Who vote for SCHIP expansion because polls said so. Who love earmarks and 'bringing home the bacon' for more votes. This is who we are really battling. In fact, why don't BIGR's just swich to Democrats? That would end a lot of confusion.

After dinner, a group of us went to Georgetown for some discussion and a few.... adult beverages. This group included the lovely and talented Amanda Carpenter, a frequent commentator on Fox news. (And I must say, contrary to most celebrities I have met, she is actually better looking in person!)

We discussed this issue further with others. And she hit the nail on the head. She agreed that "RINO" was losing its effectiveness because the BIGR's embrace the term with pride. I said that is what I have found. If you say RINO, their comeback is that you are some sort of "whacko gun nut" and "whacko anti-abortion nut".

I am only using the term BIGR anymore. It is true. It is accurate. And it won't be easily embraced by liberal Republicans who might as well be Democrats. Republicanism is a philosophy. Republicans aren't just a 'team' with a neat elephant logo. The "Big Tent" should not include those with any philosophy who want to join. (Hi, you're a pedophile who wants to legalize sex with minors and wants to nationalize all industry, come on in! We need the votes because we will do anything just to win!)

Much like Reagan who often stated that he never left the Democrat Party, it left him, more and more conservatives are expressing what I feel. Is the Republican Party leaving me? And if so, why am I bothering to help them succeed? Especially when the very philosophy I believe in, limited government, is almost ridiculed by many in the GOP anymore.

(Next posting: Are the Republicans in HUGE electoral trouble and why? And an answer to my questions above, "Is the Republican Party leaving me? And if so, why am I bothering to help them succeed?" which might explain the problems the GOP faces this November. I will also answer the favorite question by Party operatives and political handlers, "Would you rather see a Democrat in office?")

Arlen Specter and the Patriots

I'm going to be honest right up front, I am a Patriot fan. Now that that is out of the way let's talk about Sen. Specter and his calling for football hearings. Does he not have anything better to do? How about solving the energy problem, you know the fact that we don't drill our own oil and the price is going through the roof! How about all the judges that are still not confirmed, is he not on the judicial committee? How about the illegal immigration problems? Inflation? Making the Bush tax cuts permanent? With all the things he could be focusing his attention on, why football?
The football commission has been checking into the issue of the illegal taping of the hand signals of the opposing coaches, but not to the degree Sen. Specter would like. Does it really matter to we the people? All the teams watch the hand signals, and maybe they tape too, they just didn't get caught. Besides, the Patriots got punished enough. I mean, 18-1, with the 1 being the super bowl, that's the true essence of what goes around comes around.
Please enlighten me if you think this is important. It costs so much money, taxpayer money, to have these hearings, and it is irrelevant to the running of this country. The same should be said for the baseball and steroids hearings. Let the clubs take care of this business, it plays out in the market place. When families stop taking their children to games and players become less important they will get the message. These players are no less flawed than anyone else, the government can't make them perfect, just as they can't make themselves perfect.

The passing of Lucy... and another

Well, I missed my first self-imposed deadline. Hopefully, you all except my reason.

My wife and I have had a devastating four days.

Our 18 year old cat, Lucy, has passed on. Lucy was an amazing animal. When I rented an apartment on E. Mosser St. I remember her prancing out of the weeds that bordered the train yard on the East Side of Allentown. She was a beautiful black persian cat. I remember saying, "Well, who are you?" Of course, she was a haughty princess and only allowed me to briefly pet her before she turned and pranced back into the weeds.

Over time, her visits increased. She seemed to figure out my schedule to and from work. Then I began to bring her tidbits of chicken, tuna, or other good food I made. Suddenly one morning as I went to get in my car I almost stepped on a dead mouse. Well, anyone who knows cats knows that they tend to leave 'gifts'. Of course, I didn't realize this yet. Quickly I realized that this was happening every day. I parked in different spots, yet every day there was a 'gift' for me placed by my car right by the driver side door!

Of course, I could never coax her into my apartment, much less even be allowed to pick her up. Though a princess, she was also an unbelievably strong and tough girl.

Until the week long deep freeze that happened about 7 months later. Finally, she deigned to let me pick her up and move her into warmth. She has been with me and Amy ever since.

But she began to show signs of either a tumor or a stroke late last fall. Again, being the particular cat she was she HATED going to the vet. But the decline started. On Saturday she took a turn for the worse.

Sunday morning while getting ready for church, my wife and I decided it was time. On Monday we would take her to the vet and give her a peaceful end. She was still semi-alert, yet it was obvious she was fighting to keep going.

As we left for church we heard meowing from my truck. A very young kitten was under the hood in the engine compartment of my pickup! We scooped him out and set him up in our powder room.

Of course, we talked about finding another home for the guy.

After church, we fed Henry (yes, we already named him so it was over - he was staying with us) and he was a fantastic little guy.

That Sunday evening Amy spent time with Henry who was settling in with the home and the other cats we have. Lucy spent 5 hours resting on my chest while I watched t.v. in my office. Later I placed her in the bed and covered her with blankets. Shortly she had a brief seizure and I held her in my arms. She died mere minutes later. A heartbreak.

Yet we had Henry who was playful with the other cats and was a fantastic little dude. Talk about dual feelings of sorrow and joy. He had a fantastic 1 1/2 days of bliss and fun!

But after lunch on Monday we noticed he was struggling to pee. We decided to take him to the vet the next morning. I stayed up with him to keep an eye on him. As the night progressed it was obviously developing into a major uncomfortable situation for the little guy. He couldn't sleep and kept adjusting himself to be comfortable as he laid on me and it was obvious his bladder was really bothering him. I decided at 3:30 to take him to the emergency vet Valley Central on Fullerton Ave. (Great staff!) It wasn't a matter of health, it was obvious that the guy was uncomfortable.

They pulled 30 c.c. of urine out of his bladder via a hypo and ran tests. Major urinary tract infection and major crystals in his bladder. Unheard of in a kitten only about 10 weeks old. Well they stabilized him and I brought him home. We both napped for a half hour. I still, and will always, remember him laying on the bed next to me. Then I headed off to our regular vet.

Well, it was a long day and there were just too many health problems due to genetic defects and he was too young and small for any surgical options. At 8 p.m. we had to decide to put him down.

Two pets in three days - even though we only had Henry for a short time he was a much loved pet. The heartache of both losses was unbelievable.

It's amazing how a couple of furry four-legged creatures can render a supposed tough guy, beer drinking, pool playing, 'heartless' conservative into feeling like an 8 year old boy.....

Anyway, I apologize but will post on Friday what I promised to do on Tuesday.

R.I.P. Lucy and Henry. You brought much joy to a couple of people.

For now on, it will be a team effort!

Sunday night I put together my profile of current Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, with help from my two daughters. The girls were involved to the point that they want to keep doing it. Yesterday oldest wanted to know who was next, so she could start doing research, and youngest has announced she will be my "portrait searcher".
Last night I was presented with a list of sixteen current sitting Women Senators, and eight Women Governors. (And that didn't include Condoleeza Rice)
I had started my own research for my next post, on Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, but the girls whittled their choice for next subject down to Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. Youngest pointed out that Blanche Lincoln was only 38 when she was elected in 1998, younger than any woman in history.

That cinched it for me. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas is next, then Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Then it's my turn to pick. Stop by Monday for your civics lesson, courtesy of the three amigas!

Kris Burek comes up short in 183rd?

I called the Lehigh County Voter registration office this Morning, and they told me that if anyone had qualified by write in, they would be on the election results page as a winner. Kris Burek isn't there.
The Northampton County Voter Registrar web page shows there being 118 write in votes cast for a Democrat in that district, but gives no breakdown of who the votes were written in for. Lehigh County gives us no data to even guess at. Anybody out there have any statistics they can share?
email them to me at janetharrigan@yahoo.com Thank you!