Obama spoke of us today, specifically of the Fire Family. While letting us know that he is a President by and for the people, he reminded us that it is we, the people, who will ultimately change this nation (one should add, for good or not so good). And, then came the mention of our family.

It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Okay, so maybe he wasn’t speaking of FireDad, TheBrothers and me, but, well, it sure felt like it. And, let me tell you, it feels good to be recognized. Not only did President Obama tip his hat at the hard work firefighters do to protect our families and towns but he also gave a nod to every parent among us (firefighters included). After a string of hectic parenting days (as LittleBrother is teething and/or sick), I needed a nod. Respect for what I am doing feels good. It gives me all the more respect for what he is doing.

And, so then, what are you doing? What are you doing to make this nation a better place to live? I don’t care about party lines as long as you’re doing something that you believe in. 2008 was a year in which we saw people take an active, physical interest in politics; some who had never voted or cared about such things before. But political action doesn’t end with the election of a President, however historic. What are you doing to help your community? Your city? Your state? Your special interest group? Your children and your children’s children? Don’t think that now that Obama officially wears the title of President that the fight is over. If you really want to see that change take place, you’ve got to do something about it.

Us? Besides continuing the fight for adoptees to gain access to their Original Birth Certificates, we’ll be continuing to volunteer and help out with some other interests of ours. I predict some more involvement this year as I’m no longer battling postpartum depression. We’ll also be raising these boys to be the compassionate souls that we know that they are… most of the time. We’re raising them, actively participating in their learning and character forming. Getting messy in the process, like you should if you’re doing it right. See?

We painted this together (idea found on Kaboose), me and BigBrother, when he got home from school. You can see the mistakes as I let him take control after I showed him where the colors went on the design that I had pre-drawn with pen. The mistakes make it more real, don’t you think? Our new President is going to make mistakes. FireDad and I are going to make mistakes, professionally and as parents. BigBrother and LittleBrother are going to make mistakes. And yet, in doing all of this today with my children, I was filled with a sense of hope.

Hope for my children. Hope for our family. Hope for me. Hope for you. Hope for our nation. I pray that feeling continues, even through the mistakes, and that we come out the other side of this with the ability to recall and rejoice in this feeling we’re floating on right now.

Because hope isn’t a bad thing, folks. It’s just not.

[Once again, this is my shot for Project365 today over on Stop, Drop & Photograph. Apologies for duplicates two days in a row.]

If I Ran For President is a great book. BigBrother is able to sit through the entire book but I will admit that it is sometimes over his head. There are concepts that he just doesn’t yet get. However, he asks questions, points out things that he does know and really likes a few special pages in the book. Therefore, in my opinion, it isn’t too early to read it to him. If he whined, cried or refused to pay attention, I’d put it aside until later. Since he is paying attention, it is now in our timely-topic rotation along with Duck for President, Pumpkin Town!, I Spy A Pumpkin and Who Loves the Fall? (The latter of which you mustmustmust buy if you are a fall loving family. Quick easy read!)

Anyway, If I Ran for President hits on the things that others complained about regarding Duck. We have talk of political parties. (Though they threw third parties into quotation marks which makes them look like non-real parties and that didn’t sit well with me.) Talk of conventions. Of campaigning. Of election results. Of not being a sore loser. BigBrother’s favorite page is the one with the map (while they are talking about how everyone in the country goes to vote) because we’ve been working on states. We get stuck on this two page spread for about five minutes but it is worth it!

I found it interesting that this book was published in 2007, long before the drama of this particular election hit the fan. It is almost as if the author had a crystal ball in which the future was observed. This particular paragraph, as the child talks about deciding whether or not to run for President, tickles me every time I read it. BigBrother has no idea why I’m laughing. But I’m laughing.

I’d have to think carefully about my decision to run for president. I would want to know how my family felt about it, too.

Then I’d ask myself: “Am I the best person for the job? Am I ready to work VERY, VERY, VERY hard for my country? Do lots of people believe in me, and will they help me run for office?”

See? Funny! Adult political innuendo aside, another thing I love about the book is the diversity of the children talking about running for President. Girls, boys and various ethnic features, nothing keeps the child from deciding to run. I love (love!) books with diversity and while Duck was able to beat out humans, it was nice to see diversity among humans as well.

The best part about this book? After I finished reading this book to BigBrother the other night, I told him that it was a very important book. I told him that in November, we would vote for a new President. After I got him back on the topic of voting and the election after mentioned the word November which is automatically associated with his birthday, he told me that he was going to be President someday. When I told him that was a very cool idea, he told me he was going to be a firefighting President. New meaning to hero, no?

Another great thing about If I Ran For President is that since it is really written for an older audience, it will be useful to us in another four years and LittleBrother will benefit from the purchase as well. Perhaps your family would benefit, too?

Every Tuesday through November 4, 2008, we will be discussing something political here on Stop, Drop & Blog. Our weekly series is entitled “Is It November Yet” because, well, we’re excited for change, ready for the number of posts in our Google Reader to go down and overwhelmed with the wealth of information to search through. I’ll be back to being all controversial and in your face next week. WOO!

All the same, we’ve been talking about elections with BigBrother. When asked who he is voting for in the Presidential race, he will respond, “DUCK FOR PRESIDENT.” Then he will force you to read the book so don’t ask if you don’t want to sit and read through the forty pages.

BigBrother loves this book. It is one of the first that we bought through his Scholastic Book Order (which is an upcoming reason-why-I-love-preschool post) and thus we got it for far cheaper than even Amazon Prime could offer. Joy! I ordered it with doing absolutely no research on it first (which is unlike me) as I forgot to fill out the book order until the day it was due. I did my research afterward and figured we would be fine.

And were we ever!

Right now, it is the book of choice at bedtime. Perhaps it is the flow of the words. Perhaps it’s the little jokes throughout. Perhaps he enjoys reading a book about what I keep ranting and raving about when I give FireDad an earful about what people are saying on the internet. Perhaps he really thinks a duck is running for President. I don’t know. But he likes the book. And I like that he likes the book.

No. It doesn’t explain that running for President means having your family’s decisions smeared and debated. It doesn’t explain the major issues that the candidates debate, argue over and lie about in general. It doesn’t talk about truth in advertising and fair air time. It doesn’t explain that if you don’t vote the same as Joe Schmoe or Jane Doe that they will call you names and neglect to invite you to their Christmas party. It doesn’t explain the electoral college (but does delve into demanded recounts!) which might actually help some parents reading to their children.

But it does let our kids know that running the country is hard work. And it is. And we’ve talked about it. And BigBrother gets it on that almost-three-year-old level. That said, I really do think that BigBrother expects me to write in Duck for President when I vote on November 4th. Sorry, Buddy.

The book does include some education for adults as well. A feather for your thoughts, if you will. After Duck is elected and is deep in the throes of running the country, he finds that he is overwhelmed. And so, to quote,

“Duck left the Vice President in charge and headed back to the farm.”

Yikes.

I kid. I kid. Kind of.

All the same, if you’re interested in starting some conversations about the election, Duck for President is a cute little book that puts it in an easy to understand format for the kiddos. It’s non-partisan, timely, topical and a fun way to bring your kids into the political hullabaloo that is going on all around them. Without the name-calling! Win!

Every Tuesday through November 4, 2008, we will be discussing something political here on Stop, Drop & Blog. Our weekly series is entitled “Is It November Yet” because, well, we’re excited for change, ready for the number of posts in our Google Reader to go down and overwhelmed with the wealth of information to search through. I might go with another book next week. It seems to be safer.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is endorsing Barack Obama for President. While we do not let FireDad’s union dictate our lives, I can’t say that I disagree with their support. That said, if they were backing McCain, well, let’s just say we’re happy that they’re not backing McCain. It would be impossible to do so when you begin to look at the issues that are pertinent to professional firefighters..

McCain is not working family friendly. Moreover, he is not fire family friendly. Perhaps you are not a fire family. Perhaps you don’t know any other fire families. But they’re out there. Contrary to what I wish, fire fighters are not rich. Despite saving your families and putting their lives in danger on a regular basis, the pay isn’t outstanding, outlandish or really all that great. But these men and women do what they do because it is a passion and they believe in what they do.

And when it comes down to it, only one candidate has a 100% record on the core IAFF issues. And it’s not John McCain. Barack Obama co-sponsored and voted for collective bargaining. McCain, of course, voted against the IAFF’s collective bargaining bill in 2001 and neglected to show up to even vote in 2008. Apparently we either don’t matter or don’t even register with McCain on his Important Things list.

Obama’s plan protects our employer-paid health care. McCain wants to make employer-provided health care benefits part of taxable income. You know, since we’re already making so much money in the fire service!

Obama opposes mandatory social security coverage and actually fought to protect the pension and retirement benefits of Illinois firefighters. I want someone protecting our pension. I really, really do. If mandatory coverage was approved for Social Security, firefighters’ pay would be reduced by over 6% in taxes, thus reducing pensions, benefits or pay. Really? You want to pay us less and put our pensions and benefits at risk? While these men and women are out there, putting their butts on the line for you? That’s what you think our family deserves, McCain? Maybe they just won’t respond when you dial 911. Oh wait. Yes they will. Because that’s what firefighters do. They respond where needed, no matter the pay.

There are other things, from Obama supporting firefighters (and other public employees) overtime pay to how jobs are handled. You can read about all of the issues here at Fire Fighters for Obama.

I know that not all of my readers are fire families. You’ve got your own families to worry about in this difficult time. You’re making your decision on who to vote for based on your own personal needs, wants and issues. You are weighing your own pros and cons. And I am proud of those of you who are taking the time to compare and contrast not only the Presidential candidates in this election but the important local issues on your November ballots. But, perhaps, if you could consider not just my family but those of the professional firefighters in and around your areas. Those of you who are serviced by paid departments, I ask one question: do you really want to risk less funding if it is your house that is on fire?

A note from a recent union flyer:

How you vote is a personal decision. The AFL-CIO has carefully researched both candidates and believes Barack Obama is the best choice for working families. Whatever your decision, get out and vote.

The FireFamily also supports this statement. Research. Decide. And get out to vote!

Every Tuesday through November 4, 2008, we will be discussing something political here on Stop, Drop & Blog. Our weekly series is entitled “Is It November Yet” because, well, we’re excited for change, ready for the number of posts in our Google Reader to go down and overwhelmed with the wealth of information to search through. I have no clue what we’ll be talking about next week. Hopefully it isn’t about any drama-llama replies to this post.

If you have a fire levy on your ballot, don’t balk at the idea. Okay, balk initially. And then do what every educated voter should do: find out why it is there, what it is funding and then make the decision to balk or vote for it.

I understand that people without children often balk at education levies. “I’m not getting any use out of it so I’m not voting for it,” is something I have heard from those in opposition to education levies. While I think that argument is weak at best, I want you to know that even if you don’t work for the fire department, fire levies affect your family. Beyond funding the way that those firefighters take home the bacon, levies often fund a wide range of things for the fire department and, as such, for your safety.

New trucks are an example. Perhaps you don’t think your department needs a new truck. Call and ask those firefighters about their current truck issues. Ask why they’re needing a new one. Will they be selling an old one or adding to their fleet and/or is the oldest one too old to even be sold to a volunteer department? Does your department do things like give free smoke detectors to underprivileged families and elderly people? That money comes from somewhere. Perhaps you don’t think that they should be giving them free smoke detectors. I ask you, why not? Isn’t life something worth protecting?

There are many things that fire departments need to run properly, efficiently and safely. You, the average citizen, don’t often take the time to think about it because we take our fire departments for granted. They’re fun to watch in parades but, to be honest, no one ever wants the fire department to arrive at their home. Heck, I don’t even want them to arrive. But they do. They leave their own homes during Christmas Eve dinner (always), throw themselves in a truck and put out the fire that your Husband/Father-in-law/etc. caused while deep frying the turkey. They regularly put their lives in danger even if it was your carelessness that caused a fire. (Read: Don’t leave candles out overnight, people!) They save the lives of your children, your pets and you. They may not save everything but they save what matters most: life.

We’re hopeful that all three of our local levies will be passed this election. We’re also realistic in the fact that with everything as it is right now, they might not. As you head to the polls, realize that you will not only be voting for your own safety but for the well-being of men and women like FireDad and for families like ours. Is this an emotional plea? Sure. But I figure if real politicians can get away with it, so can I. (That said, I’m not going to publicly berate you if you don’t vote for your local fire levies. Maybe in private but never in public. And with no name-calling either. Well, maybe a little name calling.)

Every Tuesday through November 4, 2008, we will be discussing something political here on Stop, Drop & Blog. Our weekly series is entitled “Is It November Yet” because, well, we’re excited for change, ready for the number of posts in our Google Reader to go down and overwhelmed with the wealth of information to search through. Next week I’m going to talk about something on the national level. Watch out for drama!

As an example, in our city, there are three fire levies hitting the ballot this November. Three. And whether or not they are passed or not greatly affects my family as well as all of the other fire families attached to our department. Do you know about any fire levies on your ballots? Do you know of anything on your ballots other than the McCain/Obama race?

I had a discussion with a friend who was well-educated on this Presidential race. She knew the pros and cons of both candidates and their Vice Presidential running mates. She knew the issues. She knew the fabrications, the times the truth has been stretched (for either side) and the outright lies. She knew quite a lot about the whole election and I consider her one of my most well-spoken friends on the topic of this election (even though she is supporting a different candidate than me!). But she knew no one running for local office in our area. We have a judge up for reelection! She didn’t know that we have some Senate and House seats in the race again. And she knew nothing of the fire levies.

Yikes.

And that’s why I am reminding and imploring you: learn about your local election issues. Please don’t just show up at your polling place and tick off boxes. Find out who is running for even the smallest of elected positions in your area. Get to know what they stand for and what they oppose. Show up and ask them questions. Push your local newspaper to cover these local elections even closer than they are (if they are at all). And get down to the bottom of what Mr. or Mrs. So-and-So being elected will mean for your family. Don’t make it a popularity vote. Don’t show up and check off boxes based on blind pointing and pressing. Educate yourself as well as you can about the issues that are of importance to your area and vote accordingly.

We cannot afford to ignore local issues just as we cannot afford to ignore issues that are important to us as a whole. Put in the leg work. Put in the time. And if you can’t find the answer, call someone who will know. There’s no excuse for being surprised with a name or an issue when you enter that polling booth. Get the information and pass it on! (Just not in the form of a slanderous forward, okay?)

Every Tuesday through November 4, 2008, we will be discussing something political here on Stop, Drop & Blog. Our weekly series is entitled “Is It November Yet” because, well, we’re excited for change, ready for the number of posts in our Google Reader to go down and overwhelmed with the wealth of information to search through. Next week we’ll be talking a little more about what fire levies mean for you if they’re on your ballot.

I’ve, thankfully, had very little personal aggravation when it comes to political debate. Here’s what has helped me over the past few weeks.

1. No name calling. I’m serious! I don’t care how insane you think someone is for whatever they just spouted, but referring to them as a “moron” only serves to make you look like one as well. Resorting to name calling doesn’t show off your vast vocabulary and instead places you in the uneducated camp. I don’t care if you went to an Ivy League University. If you call someone a name or have to resort to insulting their Mama, not only will your point not be heard but you come off looking as stupid as the name you just used. (And end up insulting your own Mama in the process. And she’s gonna smack you for that.)

2. Avoid sweeping generalizations. I know. All liberals believe x. And all conservatives do y. And those in the middle are all z-kind of people. Except that they’re not. Maybe you think they are. Maybe in your personal experience, those that you have encountered fall into that stereotype. But let me assure you, your sweeping generalization is not true. Go on believing it if you must. But using one to debate will only serve to make you look like a name-calling, uneducated, politically-informed-wannabe. Instead, speak personally. When debating with a liberal that believes x, say, “I know that you believe x but here’s why I disagree.” It works much better than, “OH. MY. GOODNESS. ALL YOU RAVING LIBERALS BELIEVE X AND YOUR MAMA IS DUMB.” (The previous example is to help you avoid combining points one and two.) We’re a wide and varied people, even within a specific political spectrum. Treat individuals as, well, individuals.

3. Avoid insulting someone’s integrity. This is different than name calling which is usually based on a lack of vocabulary or ability to state your point. Insulting someone’s integrity is more like calling them a liar, telling them they have no morals or generally insulting their moral fiber. You don’t believe in abortion but your debater thinks that removing the choice will create further problems? Avoid telling them that they hate children and shouldn’t ever have a family. There’s no truth in that statement.

4. Just avoid your friends and family until November 5th. That would solve most of the problems, right? Because it’s fine to debate (even when name-calling and insulting others’ integrity) online but when it is your brother, your mom, your best friend or your grandparents, well, it gets a little sticky, doesn’t it? If you can’t avoid them until November 5th (meaning, after the election) and your political leanings differ greatly (like ours with our families), I’m going to suggest this: avoid the topic. I know. You want to save the world. You want your family members and friends to realize the error in their ways, leave the dark side and come back to the light. But it is highly unlikely that you will change the mind of someone set in their ways. Now as for those undecided voters in your family or friend circle? Hit them with all you’ve got, keeping the first three points in mind.

5. STOP SENDING FORWARDS. All of you. Liberals. Conservatives. Independents. Anarchists. ALL OF YOU. STOP. IT. NOW. (This should be said of all forwards, not just political ones.) I know you think that the email gods are always right and that everything that enters your inbox is the total truth but, trust me, its not. If you think an email you have received is the truth, please research it first. Try Snopes. Use Google. And when you find out the truth (most likely that the content of your email is a total falsification), please, for the love of all things political, do not forward it. Not even to those who have the same political leanings as you. Forwards are so 1997. Please enter this millenium.

6. Know the issues. Research your candidates. Let me make that clear: research both candidates. Compare and contrast their viewpoints. Know where they stand on the issues that are most important to you. And note that I said issues. Plural. Don’t be a one-issue voter because someone will call you a name and insult your integrity and, well, they might be justified in that case only. (As long as they’re not insulting your Mama. Unless your Mama is a one-issue voter, too. Then, well, all bets are off. Sorry.) When you haven’t done your research, it’s painfully evident. You don’t have to be ready to take over any political commentator’s jobs. You just have to know the issues. Get on that.

7. Leave the racism and sexism at home. I don’t care what generation you grew up in. If you launch into a tirade about women in leadership roles or minorities in general, I’m not going to hear a word you said. And you’re probably going to have limited access to my children. I know that this election has brought up issues for this country. I know, from the words I have heard family members use, that we are not as progressive as a country as we would want (or need) to believe. But using these two issues to “prove your point” only makes you look like a hateful person. Try to avoid that… even if you are a hateful person.

I could go on and on. But I’ve kind of run out of tongue-and-cheek points to bring up. I think, for the most part, people realize these points. But politics are a deeply personal issue and everyone wants (or needs) to be right. What people are forgetting in the process is that we all are individuals with vastly different individual experiences. My political  beliefs do not negate, diminish or dismiss your political beliefs. I think, of course, we’ll have bigger issues when one candidate or the other is elected and those changes start taking place. But, well, that’s a post for another day. In the meantime, get to researching the issues. That’s the biggest point of all of this, isn’t it?

Every Tuesday through November 4, 2008, we will be discussing something political here on Stop, Drop & Blog. Our weekly series is entitled “Is It November Yet” because, well, we’re excited for change, ready for the number of posts in our Google Reader to go down and overwhelmed with the wealth of information to search through. Next week we’ll be bringing you a very important reminder. Exciting, right?