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November 27, 2006

Funeral

Will have to be at the cemetary in Urbana by 2pm tomorrow. Everyone is here, except Tim, who went home at 7am this morning because he couldn't deal with it. There is no new will, though one had been started (not completed in time), in other words, the will that the children have is in effect over the will he was trying to get done while he was in the care of Pam.

Been several tense moments so far, but most of the kids have been avoiding each other to keep it down.

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)

November 26, 2006

Grandfather...

My grandfather passed away this morning at 9:00 am.

Posted by Ravennacht at 05:08 PM | Comments (4)

November 25, 2006

Hospice Calls

Hospice called yesterday. Things are quickly deteriorating with grandfather. We have been over there most of the time. He sleeps the entire time with short minute bursts of awakening, but little lucidity. He is in quite a bit of pain. Ian picked up Tony and Tyler and rushed them over yesterday. Last night I went to the airport and picked up Tim. John is driving from Columbus to pick up Nick and Chris who are coming in today.

It's going to be very hectic now. Everyone is here and on pins and needles. Ultimatums have been delivered. We shall see if anyone steps out of line.

Posted by Ravennacht at 02:01 PM | Comments (0)

November 22, 2006

ARGH

Just got a call from Pam asking when mother was planning to come over today. I tell her 3pm and I get a huge sigh and a "well your grandfather is in pain and I don't want to give him his pain medication because he will sleep." "Give him his morphine, Pam, we would rather he wasn't in pain."

"Well I didn't want her to have to come over here if he was just asleep." "She will understand, he needs to be comfortable more than anything." "He was up from 2am til this morning." "I talked to him the other day, it sounds like he is getting more confused, was he up because he was in pain or because he was confused." "He is more confused, even the Hospice personnel say so. I will be honest with you... he isn't able to walk anymore... I just don't want anyone to think I am not taking good care of him." "Pam, I have been over there, I have seen how you take care of him and we have known that he was losing his ability to walk for some time." "Yes, but I am worried that your uncles will be suprised by how he looks now and blame me, he has really deteriorated." "Pam, we understand what happens when someone is in this situation, the fact that Hospice is involved says a lot, and from my own observations, it is my opinion that the drug peddling-using idiots in florida can keep their mouth to themselves if they have something to say about anything about his care after not being involved in it... and furthermore he has been there for years and has been fine... this is just what happens in this circumstance." "Well I just don't want them to think we aren't doing things for him." "Pam, just do what he asks you to do and what he needs and don't worry about what the others will or won't say... deal with it if it comes up, if it even does."

We have Tony coming tomorrow with John. Hopefully there will be no issues. I dislike holiday stress on top of this. *shudder*

Relate the conversation above with a conversation mother had with her brother Christopher (one of the aforementioned):

Chris: "Well, I guess the rumors about Dad having cancers are true."

Erm... first of all... why make a rumor about something like that. second... why didnt your ass call us a month ago when we were telling people what we had been told AND the fact that Hospice has been coming in. Yeah we make all this shit up just to put a hamper in your daily activities... god knows we wouldnt want to waste your time from drinking and other activities unmentionable. Ass.

I called my cousin in Florida this week to let her know. Again, she hadn't been told by her own father, which I figured is what was going to happen. I am glad i told her, there is nothing worse than the suprise passing away call. I don't know what the hell those people down there are thinking. Wait... they don't.

Posted by Ravennacht at 03:04 PM | Comments (0)

Type of Gamer:

You scored as Character Player. The Character Player enjoys creating in-depth characters with distinct and rich personalities. He identifies closely with his characters, feeling detached from the game if he doesn�t. He takes creative pride in exploring different characters, often making each new one radically different than others he�s played. The Character Player bases his decisions on his character's psychology first and foremost. He may view rules as a necessary evil at best, preferring sessions in which the dice never come out of their bags. For the Character Player, the greatest reward comes from experiencing the game from the emotional perspective of an interesting character. Character Player 75% Storyteller 65% Casual Gamer 50% Tactician 40% Weekend Warrior 20% Power Gamer 15% Specialist 10% What RPG Player (Not Character) Type Are You? created with QuizFarm.com

Posted by Ravennacht at 03:02 PM | Comments (1)

November 18, 2006

Today is THE game...

The biggest rivalry hereabouts that you can witness. The Buckeyes (#1) versus the Wolverines (#2). People are always strongly tied to one or the other here... mostly OSU but plenty of Michigan fans to make it flamey. My neighbor is a Michigan fan... whilst WE are OSU all the way.

He came in the yard today to inspect the tile table that Lisa's niece made. The Ohio State emblem. It was excellent work. He proceeded to praise her on her work and then point out that the team would definitely lose to Michigan and had nearly every time they were number one...

Naturally I told him to, "Get the fuck out of my yard, Glenn!" Which he laughed and quickly left. Blashphemer.

Anyway, I can't wait til the game starts, I shall be catatonic on the sofa waiting til it starts when I become the animated screaming banshee with every pass and rush.

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:34 AM | Comments (0)

November 17, 2006

The Ever Changing Verbage

"Hunger" shall be referred to as "Food Insecurity"

"War" shall be referred to as "Military Conflict"

Soon to be followed by:

"Illegal Immigrant" being changed to "Undocumented Non Resident"
"Outsourcing" being changed to "Value Menu Work Orders"
"Trade Deficit" and "Free Trade" being changed to "Faith Based Credit Returns"
"Oversight" being changed to "Congressional Stalking"

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:58 AM | Comments (1)

"Catholic taste in Music"

Catholic Taste in Music...

Meathe says [IRL] 'You and I both, Nav, have very catholic tastes in music.'

Meathe says [IRL] 'Catholic in the original sense of the word, not with the religious overtones.'

You say [IRL] 'what does that mean'

You snicker softly.

Meathe says [IRL] 'All encompassing.'

You say [IRL] 'im laughing here'

You say [IRL] 'thats a funny descrip for that'

Meathe says [IRL] '"broad or wide-ranging in tastes, interests, or the like; having sympathies with all; broad-minded; liberal."'

Meathe says [IRL] '"universal in extent; involving all; of interest to all."'

You snicker softly.

You say [IRL] 'thats a good one, i like that'

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)

November 13, 2006

It's Going Around or Something...

It's turning out to be another of 'those' months. My uncle (married to my Aunt Rita) is undergoing several tests. He has been urinating blood, pain in the back, ashy color skin. He has taken off work from now til after Thanksgiving. He has already been in for an ultrasound and a dye test. Still do not know the test results yet, could range from kidney stones to kidney failure.

While voting this week, the postal officer (she also works with the other retired ladies as a vote worker) called mother over and told her that Grandfather hasn't paid his postal box fees or picked up his mail for quite some time. Mother called over there and was told by Pam that he has been in the hospital in Findlay for a high temperature and other problems (strangely we were not called about this even though we are less than ten miles away). He now has a 24hr catheter in and has been diagnosed with both melanoma (yes, the BAD BAD skin cancer) as well as prostate cancer. She told us that he has six months.

I have been trying to call various people in Florida just to let them know what is going on so they can make whatever decisions they need to. Several are calling and indicating that they will be coming up sometime between now and Christmas. Others are doing the typical 'poor me' crap and hitting the bottle and drugs. One has asked to stay here and been told he can as long as the bottle and pills arent touched, no matter what happens... he has agreed.

Definitely getting stressful.

Posted by Ravennacht at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2006

Discussion of Ohio Results

The results are by-and-large mostly in and as I had hoped, the current administration at State level has been clean swept from office. If you have listened to the national news, you only hear them discuss the atmosphere of politics in relation to the President and the war... but I really think this is misleading. I have heard some journalists pontificate about how Ohio switched based upon decisions in the war and a mandate upon the President and other national issues. I think they have missed the boat completely on that assumption. This election here was COMPLETELY about ridding the state of corruption, mishandling, abuse, and looking-the-other-way.

What the networks have ignored is:

• Our current governor (Taft) has been found guilty of financial contribution issues.


• The whole Tom Noe Coingate scandal in which millions of state funds were lost. (see previous coingate posts)


• The fact that the current administration had strong ties to Tom Noe, or failed to handle it in a manner the public wanted.


• The loss of countless businesses from the State under this administration


• The diminishing of education funding in the State.

Why did everyone in office lose? Noe is the answer. You can't lose millions of State funds and survive the election, its simple as that. No one talks about it on the national side, but thats what we here have been talking about nonstop. What better proof of that than the fact that all the republicans in office lost. Wrath of the voters over all these issues. Clear and simple.

Why did Dewine lose the Senate race? Ads have been running here for weeks concerning money connections from Noe. That name is poison. Dewine's opponent also hit upon support for stem-cell research. Wake up Republicans... Stem-Cell research is the new flame topic.

Why did Blackwell lose the governorship? Because he is the current Secretary of State in this administration. Because he was in office during the last election when countless issues arised... machines not available, voters turned away, etc.

Open positions (Secretary of State election) suffered from party backlash. The republicans held a state majority in administratrion. The price is high.

I am relieved by the current administration's loss. Yes on a national level I am pleased... however on a down-home local level, this really is a turnaround my home-state so desperately needed. The cobwebs have been knocked loose. This was no referendum on Bush... this was completely a referendum on Taft and Noe.

Source: Ohio Secretary of State

Precincts Reporting: 98.49%

Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Strickland, Ted / Fisher, Lee Democratic 2,256,872 60.25%
Blackwell, J. Kenneth / Raga, Thomas A. Republican 1,384,023 36.95%

U.S. Senate
Brown, Sherrod Democratic 2,089,130 55.84%
DeWine, Mike Republican 1,650,306 44.11%

Attorney General
Dann, Marc Democratic 1,883,984 52.36%
Montgomery, Betty Republican 1,713,881 47.64%

Auditor of State
Taylor, Mary Republican 1,820,876 51.04%
Sykes, Barbara Democratic 1,746,537 48.96%

Secretary of State
Brunner, Jennifer L. Democratic 1,948,237 54.74%
Hartmann, Greg Republican 1,450,819 40.77%

Treasurer of State
Cordray, Richard Democratic 2,058,170 57.54%
O'Brien, Sandra Republican 1,518,645 42.46%

Posted by Ravennacht at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)

November 06, 2006

Vote Vote Vote!

Regardless of your political affiliations,

VOTE

TOMORROW!

Posted by Ravennacht at 10:09 PM | Comments (0)

Right to Life

Being a male, I place myself squarely within the realm of the Right to Choice camp in most measures concerning the abortion topic. I am not comfortable legislating what a woman will or won't do with their body AS I am male. I do not pretend to understand the emotions that are involved with the process of pregnancy, for I shall never carry a child (nor father one), though I do understand the biology of it. I do not agree with abortion personally, however, I do understand the necessity of it in some circumstances.

I choose not to view this topic in the vein of theological interest. I see the whole Right to Life movement as nothing more than a religious hypocrisy from top to bottom. Logic must come in somewhere.

I see Right to Life more as a Right to Birth. The movement is more interested in ensuring that all children, under all circumstances, are born. Peaked interest seems to lie only from the moment of conception to the second of birth and first breath... after that, the fervor of caring for this child that was such a vehement topic completely dies off.

Where is Right to Life when it comes to ensuring that unwanted pregnancy does not occur. Abstinancy is not a complete viable option. Yes it is favorable, but REALISTICALLY, how many young adults has it dissuaded from early sexual practices versus those that just do it anyway. You have to make a net of options, so that when one option fails, another takes its place. Where abstinancy fails, sex education must step in. Don't want a sexually transmitted disease or an unwanted pregnancy, use a condom, get on birth control, use other options. You aren't promoting sexual behavior by making sure your people know about sexual education, you are promoting safety, responsibility. Wake up.

Where is Right to Life after a child is born. Adoption laws in the United States are largely a bundle of snares and hurdles the likes of which are so disheartening that a good many couples try to go elsewhere to adopt children. Where is Right to Life when a gay couple tries to adopt a child into their family? How about cross-racial adoption roadblocks? A stable family is preferable to State wardship being shuttled from foster to foster. Yet again, other issues encroach upon the possible stable raising of a child. Why is there a stigma against adoption as an option, why must everyone HAVE a child of their own flesh and blood... because we are bombarded with it nonstop.

Where is the restructuring of the foster system to ensure that families stay together... that SIBLINGS stay together when moved out of a bad situation with their birth family... that fosters are correctly trained and motivated to do the right thing for their charges rather than just taking a State check every month. Where is the vehement and righteous indignation for the children then?

Why isn't there a federal sanctuary law for unwanted children (ie. baby's may be surrendered at a police station, fire station, hospital by a mother with no questions asked).

Where is Right to Life when so many children live in poverty without proper healthcare.

I do not condone abortion. I do however, dislike the zealous tunnel vision of religion constricting this topic down to such a seemingly 'easy' moral decision. This isn't about religion. Responsibility for life doesn't end at birth, it continues throughout the child's life. Should these parents be unable to provide for the child and the child enters the 'system', it is all of our responsibilities to ensure that the child is properly provided for and taught... not mangled in a system like a piece of meat until the age of majority.

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)

November 05, 2006

Which Accent do I have? No Suprise Here...

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
Boston
The Northeast
The West
The Inland North
Philadelphia
North Central
The South
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Posted by Ravennacht at 01:24 PM | Comments (0)

November 04, 2006

Representative Reform

I believe in term limits for all politicians. The days of gilding the party lilly with life-time politicians should end. For too long we have suffered from lifers in office that have become so acclimated to the atmosphere in Washington and the state capitols that they lose their connection to their constituency... saying what the people want to hear only when election time rolls around. It is phenomenal just how many answers these people have for life's problems while election time is in full swing, yet when they return to office, they cannot get anything meaningful accomplished.

Need another reason? How about the propensity of Congress to grant itself pay raises (see my previous post concerning minimum wage) while a goodly amount of their constituency suffer at a sub-par federal minimum pay wage. There is something inherently illogical with having a branch of government that can willy-nilly grant itself a pay raise whenever it wishes. Set a term limit, set a salary and be done with it. No more games.

I am a vociferous opponent of party replacement laws (happens a lot on county levels), wherein a candidate is elected to office, must leave early for some reason and the party of whom he is a part automatically selects his replacement. When we vote for a candidate... we vote for the individual (ideally that is) not the party. Should this person leave office, die, or whatever before office, there should be a replacement vote for candidates from his constituency. This isn't to be confused with an accepted chain of command situation which exists at the federal level, where we at least select the individual and the running mate on the ballot for the office with the understanding that #2 could become #1... or even that members of his Cabinet may become the President at some point.

Commit a crime in office? Automatic out of office. Do not pass go, do not collect pension. Do not collect perks. Do I feel this is overboard. Not at all. How much more graft, misrepresentation and shady dealings can we have lurking in the dark corridors of power. It continues because they all protect each other FROM US. There are repercussions for the every-day citizen that breaks a law. Should a representative do so knowingly and willingly... this person who is of such great moral standing and trust to the public to be selected from millions to represent the one and many... is beyond excuse and calls for immediate and resounding punishment.

I believe in severely restricting politicians from getting jobs with lobbying firms immediately following the end of their terms. I believe there should be a number of years... at least 5... where these people are blocked from such work (I believe the time limit may currently be 2). Is there a connection between lobbying and politicians seeking to secure future wealth for favors now... undoubtedly. Stamp down on it better, I say, it just feeds into the continuing issue where we are ill represented by these people.

I believe in disallowing one politician from stumping for another that is running for (re)election. How many times have we watched a President, Governor, Senator (from another state even), etc... stumping about for some party lap dog that they want in office just to make their life easier? This isn't representation, this is party politics. If a person running for office cannot stand on their own merit... if they must rely upon the coat-tails of some power-symbol in office currently... then they really don't belong in office to begin with. Do you hear their message... or do you see only the glamour and bells and whistles of the show dog paraded about for stray peanuts. I only think to myself, each time I watch some fool already in office campaigning for some other fool running for office, just HOW MUCH are you representing your own people... just HOW MUCH time are you spending on YOUR constituency projects... just HOW MUCH time are you spending on YOUR job when you are busy working for your party trying to get numbers in the House. I understand the whys of it. I will never agree to it. Do your own work already.

Posted by Ravennacht at 12:26 AM | Comments (0)

November 01, 2006

Dissent to full...

We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it. Edward R. Murrow

Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels - men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate. Hubert H. Humphrey

Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard. Robert Jackson

I grow weary of being painted as disloyal. Accused of being unpatriotic. I live in a country built upon dissent. I exercise the right to disagree and still be loyal. I practice the responsibility of observation of my government and my representatives, as all should.

For years I have dealt with this. Living in a small community in a largely republican area was difficult at best for someone that sees things alternatively to the consensus. I have been labled a communist for my views about Reagan. Marxist, Socialist, Liberal, Peacenik, Leftist, Radical. I have heard it all. I have been threatened for my opinions concerning Bush. I have been named a coward for my thoughts concerning recent wars.

Now, more than ever, I have come to the realization that I must speak more. Take a stand on your beliefs... make your beliefs known. Let us see which yoke I can be saddled in name to if I am clear what I believe in. Label on.

Posted by Ravennacht at 11:38 PM | Comments (1)