Topic! HERE topic! ....

Actually, I've got a few things to write about, but nothing coherent enough (or interesting enough) to warrant it's own post really.

She is not better, but is less anxious. I hope it's considered an improvement, because it is horribly frightening from where I sit. Each visit feels more and more as though I'm visiting an aged rellie with dementia. I know that her dementia-like-symptoms will disappear eventually, but man it's not fun right now.

Toto has gone away with his class for a 2 day excursion to our nations' capital. Which means that Boo is clingy and asleep in my bed (ugh - no sleep for me tonight).

And I'm hugely disappointed that the majority of Californian's voted Yes to Prop 8 and thereby ruled against same-sex marriage. On the same day that we're all celebrating a more liberal and life-experienced, less patriachal-rich-white-man president-elect. Sad sad sad.

I know lots of others have mentioned this in their blogs today (and I ripped my link straight from Lara's blog - thanks La!) but it's upset me so much that I thought it was worth a mention here.

I'm not judging though. We don't have it here yet folks. I would like to think, however, that if a referendum were held tomorrow, it would get passed.

I'd also like to think that I could still pull George Clooney.

This is the first time I've been glued to an American Election....

.... and I've found it fascinating.

I'm thrilled with the (almost announced) outcome.

Well done, my American friends. The world will embrace you for rejecting a party of warmongers and women-haters (and before you comment .... Sarah Palin is the most token woman I have ever seen in my life). And, if Obama follows through with his promises and ends the war in Iraq, I will lift my embargo upon all things made in America (which I've had since the war began) (and which had to exclude all things Mac. Sorry.) I'll also leave the airport next time I have a stop-over in your country (and will not make my lovely American friends travel to said airport to hang out with me).

Oh, and if my share portfolio happens to recover slightly due to world confidence in your new Democratic President, I will do a Big Happy Dance. On YouTube. Promise.

A chance to have your say today....

For all of us "non-Americans" living around the world and watching today's election with baited breath, here is a website to put a spring in your step (or not) today.

If you read the results, you'll see that not one single country (including the US) wants McCain to win. That could be, of course, because it's "done the rounds" of the democratic websites etc.

I, however, received the link from a card carrying Republican.

GO HERE TO VOTE

This is really scary....

(Thanks to Patricia from Light. Sweet. Crude. for this one)

Why are so many people scared to discuss politics?

It amazes me. The unwillingness of some people to have intelligent conversations about politics without reverting to name calling and insults.

In my humble opinion, the '08 US election is one of the most exciting in my living memory. SO much is at stake. And the excitement of having a non-patriachal-white-male in the running heralds the possibility of a significant change in the social structure of power in that country.

We all know that the media is usually on one side or another, and that it's impossible for one human being (with kids, jobs, families etc) to find out every single relevant detail about either party or candidate. So... doesn't that leave healthy discussion as a forum for learning and growth?

No. Apparently not.

Over on Dooce today, Heather posted her political opinion. This is a HUGELY read website, usually focussed on mothering, partnering and the conundrum of being an ex-morman living in Utah. The majority of the 1100+ responses that have so far been generated are positive. Almost blindly so. The minority are scathing and defensive and nasty. But there is a glaring lack of calm discussion.

So sad. A great opportunity for folk from differing locations, education levels, nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds to hear each other out. Instead, it turned into a forum of attack and attack. Very little defending and almost NO listening.

*sigh*

Teachers' Strike

Today was a state-wide Teachers' Strike. This is the clearest indication of the reasons why, that I could find on the web:


Federation president Maree O'Halloran said the NSW Government was the first state government in 15 years to be unwilling to negotiate staffing agreements.

"Be they coalition governments or Labor governments, we have always been able to sit down and come to agreement about a balance that gives you some local choice, but protects communities in the hard-to-staff areas," she said.

"This is the first time we have had a minister simply refuse to listen to the experience of teachers."

Ms O'Halloran said the Government had already acknowledged that if it abandoned the staff transfer system some schools would receive hundreds of applicants for teaching jobs while others would end up with "few applicants and larger class sizes".

The current staff transfer system gives priority in appointments to teachers who have accumulated points for years of service in remote areas or other regions where it is difficult to attract staff.

The Government wants principals to have the power to directly employ staff, and not necessarily take them from the transfer list.

"The teachers will be going ahead with industrial action on Thursday unless the Minister is prepared to negotiate so that communities in NSW are safe and are able to attract and retain teachers," Ms O'Halloran said.

Having quite a few friends who are teachers, and knowing how overworked and underappreciated they are, I applaud their action.  This seems to me to be just another way to disadvantage one of the most important sectors of our society.  And to disadvantage already disadvantaged pupils in isolated school districts.

Shame on you, our new Labor government.  I find myself continually disappointed with you these days, and I was SO optimistic when you were elected.