Prop. H8te Isn't Dead Yet!!

Hey guys, great news; if you voted NO on Prop. H8te then you can still make a difference, this is NOT over.

Please sign this petition here to state the facts!! (And did you know even our California Governor voted NO on Prop. H8te??)

http://www.petitiononline.com/seg5130/

Below are some FACTS:

"To: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

I, myself, and many Californians I know are disgusted with the hatred that the passing of proposition 8 brought. I am asking you to read this over, THE FACTS, not the propaganda. Open your mind for a minute, and realize that this is terrible for future generations as well. How do you know that your future children or grandchildren won't come to you and tell you they are homosexual? Wouldn't you want your child to live a life in which the love they found was supported? Plain and simple, if you are an American, you should believe in preserving the constitution. Proposition 8's passing took away the 14th amendment for a group of people, and I would like to give it back.

Facts v. Fiction
Proposition 8 would eliminate fundamental rights for a group of Californians. It’s unfair and it’s wrong.

Fiction: Prop 8 doesn’t discriminate against gay people.
Fact: Prop 8 is simple: it eliminates the rights for same-sex couples to marry. Prop 8 would deny equal protections and write discrimination against one group of people—lesbian and gay people—into our state constitution.

Fiction: Teaching children about same-sex marriage will happen here unless we pass Prop 8.
Fact: Not one word in Prop 8 mentions education. And no child can be forced, against the will of their parents, to be taught anything about health and family issues at school. California law prohibits it.
California’s top educators including Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell and California Teachers all agree: Prop 8 has nothing to do with education.

Fiction: Churches could lose their tax-exemption status.
Fact: The court decision regarding marriage specifically says “no religion will be required to change its religious policies or practices with regard to same-sex couples, and no religious officiant will be required to solemnize a marriage in contravention of his or her religious beliefs.”

Fiction: A Massachusetts case about a parent’s objection to the school curriculum will happen here.
Fact: California gives parents an absolute right to remove their kids and opt-out of teaching on health and family instruction they don’t agree with. The opponents know that California law already covers this and Prop 8 won’t affect it, so they bring up an irrelevant case in Massachusetts.

Fiction: Four Activist Judges in San Francisco…
Fact: Prop 8 is about eliminating a fundamental right. Judges didn’t grant the right, the constitution guarantees the right. Proponents of Prop 8 use an outdated and stale argument that judges aren’t supposed to protect rights and freedoms. Prop 8 is about whether Californians are willing to amend the constitution for the sole purpose of eliminating a fundamental right for one group of citizens.

Fiction: If Prop 8 isn’t passed, people can be sued over personal beliefs.
Fact: California’s laws already prohibit discrimination against anyone based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. This has nothing to do with marriage.

Publish Post

Fiction: Pepperdine University supports the Yes on 8 campaign.
Fact: The University has publicly disassociated itself from Professor Richard Peterson of Pepperdine University, who is featured in the ad, and has asked to not be identified in the Yes on 8 advertisements.

Fiction: Unless Prop 8 passes, California parents won’t have the right to object to what their children are taught in school.
Fact: California law clearly gives parents and guardians broad authority to remove their children from any health instruction if it conflicts with their religious beliefs or moral convictions. "
http://www.petitiononline.com/seg5130/

There is also a petition that is trying to stop Mormon's from donating to political campaigns. I know not everyone will agree with me posting this on the blog, but I do agree that I don't think ANY religious group as a whole should be able to donate because of the seperation of church and state. If a Mormon person ALONE would like to donate that's fine, but I do not agree with a congregation as a whole donating.
http://www. mormonsstoleourrights. com

Come on everyone, at least sign one if you do not believe in the other!! Please email everyone you know and let the message spread like wildfire, THIS IS NOT OVER YET!! We can do it!!

Again the two petition web address are:
http://www.petitiononline.com/seg5130/ (Prop. H8te Re-opening)
http://www. mormonsstoleourrights. com (Stop Mormon Churches From Donating to Political campaigns.)

We Still Won.

It's sad that people feel they have the power to tell someone who they can or cannot marry. The passing of Prop. H8te has spread sadness through out my family and friends, but please keep your heads up. We won in the end dear family and friends. Winning does not only mean getting the "reward" at the end, we won by educating more people and spreading our love out there to our brothers and sisters. In the end we won and although we have not been able to keep our short right to marry, the voters saying "yes" looked ridicules, uneducated and just cold hearted. I look forward to the next vote because each year this comes up the margin gets closer and closer. I am so confident that this, like all the other civil rights will be given to our brothers and sisters. It just takes time. The black civil rights got what they wanted, so did the woman's rights movement, and soon my family and friends will too. I am excited for the next election, I believe we will win our reward that's at the end of the rainbow (literally!!). I am extremely confident that I will see the legalization of same sex marriages in my life time. Think of it, in 4 more years more old cold minded folk would have died and more educated open minded (every skin shade) will vote and give us all equality!! I appreciate each and everyone who has supported this cause, supported your friends, your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, and each person's rights. And this fight you have fought beside me with is greatly honored my friend. I was, I am, and I will forever always be a Freedom Fighter. Fighting for the freedom and equality for my family, friends, neighbors, and for you and I. I will never stop fighting.

On another note, there are many people who have surprised me in voting Yes on this hateful discrimination of Prop. H8te and it saddens me to hear them say such closed minded things. That sexual orientation is not like the black vote, that gays are not equal to that sort of comparison. How can you say that?? Wasn't it just a few decades ago blacks weren't even seen to be in the same RACE as humans?? They (blacks) were looked down as animals, no right to read, write, an education, legal marriage, or vote. I mean being black was seen (back then) as the worst thing ever and (white) people punished them just for their color of their skin. They didn't have control over their skin color. Just as same sex couples have no way of choosing to be gay. Same sex couple are seen as human, they have the right to read, write, and vote, much more rights than a black person had decades ago, so I just don't see how a fellow minority (black Americans who supported Yes) can say that same sex couples aren't able to be compared to the civil rights of blacks?? I mean if anything the black civil rights people looked down upon blacks saying basically they are not human, and most (they Prop. 8 supports) claim Yes on Prop. H8te, "isn't prejudice, it's just protecting marriage". So how can a person (a few decades back) get the right to marry, but not a human who's just prefers the same sex?? Answer me that America. I do not agree on ANY discrimination. I am proud to be a minority, but I am more proud to say I am an American. I think everyone should. Racism is discrimination so I'm glad each race has the same rights, but for those who voted Yes on Prop. H8te, that's discrimination just ask well. Whites (esp. males) will never fully understand discrimination, not to the degree of a ethnic (esp. woman) person. But imagine if the world saw whites to be the lowest rung of the human race?? Would you like it?? Wouldn't you be crushed that people found you beneath them and thought you didn't deserve rights? Wouldn't it fluster you that people think they should have the power to control any aspect over you?? And my fellow minorities, discrimination is something we have all had to endure. But would you like it if something like slavery came back or segregation laws?? Please, don't be a hypocrite or have a double standard.

We are California and we lead the way of the nation. But sadly I think we lost that touch because we seem to not be moving forward with our great state, we want to be held back. There are other states (and countries) who have opened their eyes and welcomed their brothers and sisters, I give my hats off to their progressive state and for once hope that California will follow them. Weird to have California not as a leader, but as a follower. But either way, I can't wait for us Californians to recognize the right each and every human being has.

This is a great editorial written by Fran Dresher, the cancer survivor and actor from the hit show, The Nanny.

"When did it become okay to discriminate? What country are we all living in anyway? I thought this was America, am I wrong?

Wake up folks before it’s too late! This country was founded on the premise of separation of church & state. And why do you suppose that was? Because back in the day of our forefathers, (ya know, the dudes who fought and died for our freedoms) life under an oppressive British empire was more than they could take.

Living in a “my way or the highway” nation sucked! Dictation, Denial and Discrimination was the name of the game until our founding fathers decided that they’d had it!

“Let freedom ring!”, they shouted. And a HUGE part of that freedom was of course separation of church and state. If you are truly an American, (and not some closeted fascist) you are part of the privileged few on the planet who get to live in a country that supports tolerance of diversity. Heck we celebrate it! We can be who we want to be, pray to whomever we choose to pray and live as equals regardless of gender, race, creed or sexual orientation.

To think that in this upcoming election there is actually a proposition to add an amendment to the California Constitution to legalize discrimination! Shame on us! This proposition is not about gay marriage; it’s about hate, discrimination and intolerance of diversity. It is wholesale, unadulterated hate-mongering and it MUST be snuffed out in a dramatic fashion at once to illustrate to those behind it that in America we embrace the neighbor who might be different from us and are proud of it!

So to all you TRUE Americans, get out there and vote on November 4th, and let’s reject hate.

Get all your friends, co-workers and relatives to vote too and make sure you vote NO on proposition 8.

Freedom Fighter,

Fran Drescher"

Til the next election my friend.

Love, A Freedom Fighter

Introducing: The New President of the United States of America!!

Our New President: Barack Obama!!

It has happened, we have witnessed history!! The first colored President!! I don't know about you, but I'm so excited to finally see some change. The economy has just been so depressing and down in the dumps, I'm ready for some CHANGE!! Give me an America where there is no discrimination, where my fellow brothers and sister can have the same marriage rights as I. An America that protects our nation's daughters and sisters, provides jobs for our people, and land full with economy booming with positivity. Give me an America I can be proud of!! I don't agree on everything our new President believes in, but I do agree it's time for a change. And although I don't think Obama has enough experience as others (Hillary) does, but I am still rooting for him to prove me wrong and save America and lead us as our leader as a great America!! Go Obama!! Save us, change us, and lead the way baby!! Super hero Obama!!

Voted!!

Today was such an important date; It's Election Day!! And I just wanted to thank everyone who did their part of being an active American!! Your vote is so important and it needs to be head!! I've voted before but never for a President, and my Mom just recently became a citizen so this was her first time voting for a Presidential Election as well. So last night she called me and asked me what time I was voting, I didn't have a particular time so she asked if I wanted to go with her for our first time!! So today she picked me up and we went together to vote and am I so happy to say we are no longer Presidential voting virgins!! Above is a photo of us standing next to the American flag at our local polling place before we went in to make a difference and have our voices (that are ever so loudly, WE'RE SICK OF YOU BUSH!!) heard. It felt so good to exercise our right to vote as a minority woman!! I'm so happy how far we have came as a country, first getting blacks to vote, then women's right to vote, and hopefully soon the right for everyone in California to vote!! Together as a country we can change this world, so come on America, LET'S DO IT!!

Updates for the Troops!!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who donated to the care packages for the troops in Iraq. (Original post here.)This has been such an amazing experience, I am overwhelmed at how many great things were donated. I'm going on Monday, November 10th to San Jose to drop off all the goods, so if you haven't dropped your donation yet and you still want to you still have time!!

I wanted to share this journey with everyone, that's why I opened up and welcomed everyone to donate with me. In addition, I want everyone who gave to come along the journey to get as much of the experience as possible. So I'm trying to find as many ways as possible to share this all with you. Including documenting all the goodies we've received from who. So very special thanks to the following:

-Janet P. donated bath products, blank holiday cards, and magazines.

-Stephanie (Aunt), Puma (Uncle), and their two daughter's Nikki and Leilani. They donated over 80-90 books.

-My Mom's co-workers Carrie R., Pam K., and Suzanne F. also gave so generously to our troops. They gave games, stationary items, and lots of great yummy smelling lotions and candles. Thank you ladies!!

-Linda D. who donated a big check to the troops!! With that we bought plenty of goods including snacks, health and beauty products, and games.

-Tina R. and Dreamstar Parties donated snacks, games, and health products.

-And of course my Mother and I also gave goods such as snacks, lots of games, bath and health needs, also feminine items.

I had checks sent in and money donated so I went shopping with all the money collected. Tina R. came and shopped with me. Above is all the goodies bought with the money from Linda D., Tina R., Dreamstar Parties, and my family.

Thank you so very much everyone for being so kind and giving this holiday season. I am so grateful for all the wonderful items we've received for the troops. It's not over yet though, I still have two more pick ups for tomorrow so the list will continue. I sat and went through each and every item donated to make sure they meet the standards of sending over, very few items didn't make it (if it didn't and it was your product I have called you to see if you would like to pick up the unusable good or have it thrown away) but almost everything was in perfect condition to be sent over. As of this very moment this is a list of all the goods we have collected that are going to be sent over:

Reading Material:
Magazines: 37
Books: 95
TOTAL:132 Reading Material

Stationary Items:
Pens: 2 boxes
Markers: 1 box
Envelopes: 4 boxes
Stationary Paper: 5
Stationary Sets: 2
TOTAL: 22 Stationary Items

Health/Beauty Items/Feminine Products:
Lip gloss/Chap stick: 6
Hair Ties: 2 sets
Shaving Creme: 2 bottles
Leg Shaving Razors: 2 boxes
Nail Care (mani and pedi full sets): 2 sets
Baby Wipes: 4 boxes
Bars of Soap: 7 bars
Candles: 5
Body Scrubs: 4
Shower Gels: 16
Lotions: 2
Deodorant: 6
Ointments: 5
TOTAL: 63 Health/Beauty Items/Feminine Products

Snacks/Foods:
Toffee Nuts: 3 packages
Sunflower Seeds: 8 packages
Pumpkin Seeds: 1 package
Sour Prunes: 2 packages
Popcorn: 3 boxes
Gum: 5 packets of 5 (25 total)
Cereal Bars: 4 boxes
Cream Cookie Pies: 2 boxes
Swiss Rolls: 2 boxes
Nutty Bars: 4 boxes
Powdered Donuts: 2 boxes
Hot Chocolate: 4 boxes
Tea: 4 boxes of 125 (500 total)
Roasted Peanuts: 4 cans
Assorted Candies: 4 bags/boxes
TOTAL: 57 Snacks/Foods

Entertainment:
DVDs: 5
Games: 14
TOTAL: 19 Entertainment

GRAND TOTAL (so far): 293 DONATED ITEMS!!

That's amazing!! Thank you everyone for all of your donations, every little item was so crucial and important, I thank each and everyone of you who donated big or small. It's all appreciated.

Here are photos of the goods in categories:

All of the magazines donated!!

All the books donated!!

All of the stationary items donated!!

All of the games and DVDs donated!!

All of the health/beauty products/feminine products donated!!

All of the snacks and food donated!!

And here is everything donated together on the ground when I started to count and organize them into groups.

And here when I was all done organizing things into categories, I piled them nicely into boxes!!

Again a HUGE thank you to everyone!! This couldn't have been done without each and everyone of you!! You are all the best!! Look forward to writing an update for everyone on Monday (the day of the drop off) and again when I get the the update when the troops have received out packages!! We are almost there!!

Voting.. Just a Day Away!!

Hey all it's finally almost here, one day away!! Here are some helpful information for you that way you get to vote no matter what!!

1. Make sure everyone you know that is a registered voter goes to vote!

2. Find your polling place and any other voting info at www.rockthevote.com/electioncenter.

3. And yes, your vote will count. If you run into trouble, don't hesitate to call Rock the Vote at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Take a photo or video and post it at www.blog.rockthevote.com And if an election official tells you you're not on the rolls, demand to vote (even if it's with a provisional ballot) and call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

No excuses, above is website that will tell you where your nearest polling place is, how you can vote if they say you are not on the roll, and also a number you can contact if you need help!! Please get out there and get your voice heard!!

GET UP AND VOTE!!

Take Advantage Before it ALL Goes Away!!

So many of you may not know but the gas prices are about to spike once again!! I've been studying this and also my political science professor has told me that my findings were correct. Gas prices go up up up, and before the election they start to go down. Right before the election they drop crazy down and go up on Election Day. Theory has it that Republicans pay for the gas prices to go down so us Americans will look and say, "Hey Republican President XXX isn't that bad, look at the economy! Gas prices are going down so things are improving!! Having a Republican in office has helped the economy out." And can you believe it?? This past 2 and half weeks gas dropped about .30 cents!! Haha, in ONE day it went down .13 cents at my local gas station!! Last election I thought, "Hey I'll get it on election day, it must be SUPER cheap!!" Boy was I wrong, it had jumped .11 cents on Election Day, so people GAS UP TONIGHT!!

Thanks to all to voters going out there that are making their voices heard and fighting for change. I want to applaud you for that and so do many other companies!! Here are some FREE goodies for you to celebrate all of us rocking the vote!!

Go to Ben and Jerry's and get a free ice cream scoop as a reward for voting!!


I wouldn't put this freebie up because they are my Grandparent's competitor (You know you love my Grandparent's donut shop C.H. Donuts in San Diego!!) But it is a freebie and the chain is found all over America so I thought it wouldn't hurt to post it because it's free so costing you nothing (That way you can spend your money at our donut shop instead!!) If you go to Krispie Kreme tomorrow on Election Day is going away a free donut to everyone who votes!! Just bring your "I Voted" sticker as proof and viola!! Free donut!! (At participating locations.



I don't drink Starbucks, and I don't really endorse them either, I don't want my hard earned money going to Philip Morris as much as I can help it. But this is free so none of my money is going to them, so enjoy a free cup of coffee on Starbucks!! (At participating locations.)

A few more goodies I dug up for you readers who aren't local in the Bay Area, CA. Enjoy these freebies scattered all over the United States. Please check linked site for participating locations:

-Free Happy Hour Appetizer to anyone who brings in their ballot stub or "I Voted" sticker on Election Day. They are extending out their happy hour prices on both drinks and food until the restaurant closing that day. Details were sent by email from them on 10/30. It doesn't yet appear on their website. There was no starting time in the email but generally their Happy Hour starts at 4 PM. (www.dailygrill.com)

-Free small frozen yogurt creation at Big Spoon Yogurt. (Sacramento, CA) (www.bigspoonyogurt.com)

-Free 3 pc. Chicken tenders, fries and a drink for voters at limited Shane's Rib Shack. (www.shanesribshack.com/vote.html)

-Free taco at California Tortilla. Limited locations. (www.californiatortilla.com/taco-talk.html)

-Chattanooga area voters will get a free hot dog on Tuesday just for voting in the general election. Chattanooga Hot Dog Company, a sidewalk hot dog cart on Market Street, is offering a free Great American Hot Dog to all voters on election day.
(www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_137991.asp)

-HandleBar is giving away free beer to all voters in Florida!!) (www.gainesville.com/article/20081023/NEWS/810232938)

-Todd Conners is giving also giving away a free beer or soda in Baltimore, MD. (www.toddconners.com)

-To urge everybody to get out and vote on November 4th, Haddad's Car Wash is giving away free car washes on Election Day with proof of your vote. 151 Curry Hollow Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236 (412) 714-0049.

-Free "Adult Toys" from Babeland in NY, LA, and Seattle. (www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27455136)

-Here's a great one, free tattoo removal treatment with proof of vote in Dallas, TX. (www.newlookdallas.com/Vote_Tattoo_Removal.html)



Thanks everyone for rocking the vote!! I cannot wait for some change, to continue to protect our girls, and end discrimination on our fellow brother and sisters. Please remember if you are in California to vote NO on Prop. 4 and vote NO on Prop. 8!!

And to end this, I shall seal with an adult political joke..
"All the women in the United States are shaving their coochies. Their message: READ OUR LIPS, NO MORE BUSH"